Skip advert
Advertisement

New Fiat 500 due before 2019 with 48-volt hybrid tech

The new Fiat 500 will stick to a tried-and-tested retro design formula, but is expected to employ radical hybrid tech

The venerable Fiat 500 is expected to ditch its 1.3-litre MultiJet diesel engine in favour of cleaner 48-volt hybrid technology when the new model is revealed before the end of the decade.

In an effort to reduce harmful NOx emissions, Fiat Chrysler boss Sergio Marchionne is looking at cleaner and more fuel efficient powertrain options for vehicles across the range. While these will include plug-in hybrids on high-end luxury models from Alfa Romeo and Maserati, the Group’s smallest cars will adopt a more cost-effective approach.

Advertisement - Article continues below

• Best small cars

“We will have to play with a variety of solutions,” Marchionne told us. “There are very few things that are certain in this market - apart from one, and that is that small displacement diesels are dead. I think everything else is fair play, so we’ll experiment.”

However, while Marchionne insisted the cost would have to come down before plug-in superminis were a reality, he conceived that mild hybrids were a logical next step.

• Cheapest cars to insure

“I think hybrids are inevitable,” he said. “We’re all moving in the right direction. The question is not the technology, it’s a question of the cost and whether the consumer will pay.

“We still make a very large number of small cars like the [Fiat] Panda and Fiat 500. Putting full hybrids into a car in that segment is going to kill you. We need to find other solutions, and that’s why I think we need to embrace 48 volt systems in a more realistic way.”

Fitting such a system should ensure the next-generation Fiat 500 is both faster and cheaper to run than the current car, while doing little to affect list prices or PCP monthly payments. However, with the MINI rival updated last year with a series of late-life nips and tucks, it’s unlikely we’ll see an all-new 500 before 2019.

What do you think of Fiat's plans for the next 500? Let us know in the comments...

Skip advert
Advertisement
Deputy editor

Richard has been part of the team for over a decade. During this time he has covered a huge amount of news and reviews for Auto Express, as well as being the face of Carbuyer and DrivingElectric on Youtube. In his current role as deputy editor, he is now responsible for keeping our content flowing and managing our team of talented writers.

Find a car with the experts

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Best electric cars 2025: the top 10 best EVs you can buy today
Best electric cars header

Best electric cars 2025: the top 10 best EVs you can buy today

Thinking about making the switch to an electric vehicle? Here are the EVs that should be on your shortlist, and why…
Best cars & vans
24 Apr 2025
Best first cars for new drivers 2025
Best first cars - header image

Best first cars for new drivers 2025

These are the best cars for first time drivers, all of which are cheap, easy to drive and safe
Best cars & vans
8 Apr 2025
Best Motability cars 2025
Best Motability cars - header image

Best Motability cars 2025

The Motability scheme is designed to get less able people moving, and we've picked out the very best cars on offer
Best cars & vans
4 Apr 2025
Fiat 500e review
Fiat 500e - main image

Fiat 500e review

The Fiat 500 has been a sales hit for nearly 20 years. How good is the EV version?
In-depth reviews
18 Mar 2025

Most Popular

New Renault Clio prepares for launch: And it's not an EV
Renault Clio Mk6 (camouflaged) - front 3/4 tracking

New Renault Clio prepares for launch: And it's not an EV

The Clio isn’t going anywhere despite the reemergence of the Renault 5
News
22 Apr 2025
Future of Nissan in the UK: new Gigafactory to power bold EV plans
Future of Nissan in the UK - header with Phil McNamara

Future of Nissan in the UK: new Gigafactory to power bold EV plans

Nissan is about to go from building the Qashqai hybrid to three fresh EVs in the UK over the next three years – all powered by a new gigafactory
Features
19 Apr 2025
Leapmotor B05 family hatch on route to the UK with sub-£30k price and 400-mile range
Leapmotor badge

Leapmotor B05 family hatch on route to the UK with sub-£30k price and 400-mile range

The Stellantis-backed brand will launch a Volkswagen ID.3-rivalling small car with almost 20 per cent more range
News
23 Apr 2025