Fiat is Introducing an EV in America That is So Compact It Makes Kei Cars Seem Like Cadillacs | Carscoops

      The Topolino is set to debut in America, likely marketed as a substitute for golf carts.

      Fiat has confirmed that the Topolino will be available in the United States, arriving next year and positioned below the 500e. The European version produces 8 hp and reaches a maximum speed of 28 miles per hour.

      While Stellantis dealers have faced challenges in selling the Fiat 500X long after its exit from the market, the announcement of the Topolino's arrival in the U.S. provides much-needed relief for the brand.

      One could fit a couple of Topolinos in the same space as a single 500X, potentially minimizing inventory issues. However, Fiat has officially stated that this compact model will indeed be brought to America.

      More information will be released next year, but the Topolino is a small electric vehicle designed for two, featuring a front-mounted motor that generates 8 hp (6 kW / 8 PS) and 32 lb-ft (44 Nm) of torque. It is powered by a 5.4 kWh battery pack, offering a range of 46 miles (75 km) based on the World Motorcycle Test Cycle.

      The European version can achieve a maximum speed of 28 mph (45 km/h) and reaches that speed in just ten seconds, making it suitable for residential areas where golf carts have gained significant popularity.

      We will learn more about the specifications for the U.S. model in the forthcoming months; however, the European Topolino features 14-inch wheels. This ultra-compact electric vehicle is also marketed in Europe as the Citroen Ami and Opel Rocks, though those versions will not be available here unless there are unusual plans from Dodge or Jeep.

      If you think Japan's Kei cars are diminutive, just wait until the Fiat Topolino begins to appear on American streets. This compact two-seater measures 99.8 inches (2,535 mm) in length, with a wheelbase of 68.1 inches (1,730 mm).

      This makes it 43.1 inches (1,096 mm) shorter than the sluggish-selling 500e, which has a starting price of $30,500 before the significant $1,995 destination fee. Just imagine how small this car would look next to an Escalade or an F-150.

      The announcement coincided with the introduction of an art car during Miami Art Week. This unique model was created alongside Romero Britto, known for his vibrant, colorful style that merges elements of cubism, pop art, and graffiti.

      Named the Brittolino, the model features a colorful exterior divided into various sections, each showcasing its own distinctive design. It has a contrasting blue roof, doors replaced with ropes, Britto-branded wheels, and silver bumpers.

      Fiat CEO Olivier Francois stated that the Topolino "is now ubiquitous in Europe" and has made several appearances in the United States over the past year, generating "tremendous excitement among consumers." He expressed his happiness in announcing that "we’ll be bringing the Fiat Topolino to the US."