TESTED 18.9.23, TURIN, ITALY ON SALE MARCH 2024 PRICE £36,995
The new 600e is an Italian car. Fiat owner Stellantis most certainly won't let you forget it and you can't really blame the company for wanting to push that point. After all, this is the land that gave us da Vinci, Michelangelo, Caravaggio, Dante, 'Nino' Farina, Valentino Rossi, the Colosseum, central heating, those strappy gladiator-style sandals, tricolore salad, pizza, pasta, Valentino Rossi, Gucci, Versace, Ducati, Vespa, Ferrari, Maserati, Lancia, Lamborghini, Valentino Rossi and - obviously - Fiat. And Valentino Rossi. To name a few of Italy's resoundingly epic 'things'.
This is nothing if not a colourful, charismatic and dramatic heritage to draw on and Fiat is absolutely right to shout about it from the top of its historic Lingotto test track, while supping espresso, eating gelato and looking effortlessly fabulous.
So, in deference to that, there isn't only an Italian flag embossed on the 600e's rounded rear bumper but there will also be no grey cars here. Fiat will not bow to the universal trend to paint every car in a variety of shades from the conservative end of the Farrow & Ball neutrals collection. Good on you, Fiat. I'd rather have my 600e in blue 'Sky of Italy' or orange 'Sun of Italy', or grey 'Earth of... Hang on. No. Surely not. No, it is. That really is a grey Fiat, cunningly dubbed 'sand Earth of Italy'.
Oh, well: clearly, cunning marketing puff is also an Italian trait. Italy's still very cool, and so is the Fiat 600e, in its own way. It's a larger, compact fivedoor crossover sibling to the 500 and there's no missing the 500-inspired smooth surfacing and cheerful, round-eyed expression, which perhaps looks more proportionate than it does on the 500X, if (some might argue) a little feminine given that it appears to have a heavy-lidded gaze and dramatic eyeliner.
Denne historien er fra September 27, 2023-utgaven av Autocar UK.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra September 27, 2023-utgaven av Autocar UK.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
MG 4
An EV changes your driving style - but not to the detriment of pleasure
PEUGEOT E-208
Time with our French hatch is up. Is it good riddance or au revoir?
In the hot seat
Is the best automotive job in the world actually in miniature scale? Hot Wheels' design boss assures STEPHEN DOBIE it is
Correcting the record
Autocar invented the road test back in 1928 - or did we? KEITH JONES trawls the past to find the true starting point
Road test rebooted
As the Autocar road test forges into its second century, its brief is expanding and it's returning to a familiar place. MATT SAUNDERS explains
Cyber attack
MG is back on the international stage and now trying to return to its sports car roots. MATT SAUNDERS sees if the Cyberster EV can match up to a rival from the present and a relation from the past
KIA PICANTO
As rivals fall by the wayside, Kia's popular city car gets a makeover
MASERATI GRANTURISMO
Latest coupé in a long line of Maserati GT cars hits the UK with V6 power
PORSCHE CAYENNE GTS COUPE
New V8 model gets all the goodies
TOYOTA PRIUS
Back by popular demand with a cool new look and greater driver appeal