Engine and Transmission
The 500e is powered by 83 kW electric motor producing 111 hp and instant torque of 147 lb-ft. Like all EVs, it is using a single speed automatic and employs two operating pedals. The 500e is using the same chassis of gas-powered Fiat 500 but with an electric motor under the hood and Li-ion battery under the back seat in the floor to keep the center of gravity low.
Models
|
Fiat 500e
|
Volkswagen e-Golf SE
|
Nissan Leaf S
|
Chevy Spark
|
MSRP
|
$32,995
|
$30,495
|
$29,990
|
$13,050
|
Motor Type
|
83kw Electric Motor
|
100 kW AC synchronous electric motor
|
110kW AC Synchronous Motor
|
Gas I4 1.4L
|
Transmission
|
Single Speed Automatic
|
Single Speed Automatic
|
Single Speed Automatic
|
5-speed Manual
|
Power
|
111 hp
|
134 hp
|
147 hp
|
98hp
|
Torque
|
147 lb-ft
|
214 lb-ft
|
236 lb-ft
|
94 lb-ft
|
The Fiat 500e is clearly not justifying the cost as it employs a motor with the least power and torque figures. Nissan Leaf S has the most powerful motor with 147 hp which is a big difference. The Chevy Spark is near to the Fiat 500e in terms of power produced and is nearly 1/3rd the price of the 500e. The Chevy Spark has an equivalent engine as in gas-powered Fiat 500, clearly, 500e has more power in that scenario.
Acceleration
The Fiat 500e hits 0-60 mph in 8.4 secs, does a quarter mile in 17 secs and a top speed of 88 mph and that is pretty fast for a heavy EV with a small amount of power.
Models
|
Fiat 500e
|
Volkswagen e-Golf SE
|
Nissan Leaf S
|
Chevy Spark
|
0-60 MPH
|
8.4 sec
|
8.5 sec
|
7.5 sec
|
10.7 sec
|
Quarter mile
|
17.0 sec
|
16.5 sec
|
15.8 sec
|
18 sec
|
The Fiat 500e was closer to the VW e-Golf SE in 0-60 but then the more powerful e-Golf takes advantage of its lightweight and makes a difference of 0.5 sec in a quarter mile. The Nissan Leaf S with most power has no match in this competition. The gas powered Chevy Spark, having equivalent engine as of Fiat 500, was also catching up on the 500e in a quarter mile.
Ride and Handling
The 500e is quite low to the ground and that provides road feel through the steering. Due to the low ground clearance, the suspension cannot be taken towards the soft end so some people feel it some harsh at irregular terrain. The 500e is more fun to drive than the 500 turbo, which requires gear shifting to reach its peak performance and is a bit bouncy.
500e is over 2900 lbs but it does not feel bouncy at all like its gas-powered siblings since the engineers have placed the heavy battery in the floor under the backseat for lowering center of gravity. But you may hear loud noises of rubber tires screeching while driving fast in corners since the 500e is pretty silent.
Braking
The Fiat 500e has all four wheels disc brakes with drilled, slotted and vented discs at front. These are the similar rotors as in gas-powered Fiat 500 models, but the car itself is 600 lbs heavier.
Model
|
Fiat 500e
|
Volkswagen e-Golf SE
|
Nissan Leaf S
|
Chevy Spark
|
Brake Front(in)
|
11.0
|
11.3
|
11.1
|
9.3
|
Brake Rear(in)
|
9.4
|
10.7
|
11.5
|
7.9
|
Curb weight(lbs)
|
2980
|
2455
|
3433
|
2246
|
60-0 MPH (ft.)
|
127
|
122
|
129
|
120
|
The 500e takes 127 ft. distance to stop from 60 mph with 2980 lbs. The VW e-Golf and the Nissan Leaf S take 122 ft. and 129 ft. respectively. In braking cars got positions according to their weight, like lightest Chevy is 1st and the heaviest Nissan is at last with 129 ft.