New Fiat Topolino launched
It's got no doors. That means instant 'want' for Fiat's new Ami-based electric city car
Here’s something cheeky, light-hearted and wholesome – although you’ll be the judge of that, of course. What do you think of the new Fiat Topolino? Kind of sweet, isn’t it? It’s based on the Citroen Ami, which itself brings a splash of colour to city streets, and, like the Ami, the all-electric Topolino is conveniently designated as a quadricycle.
That means it isn’t fast. No, no, no. Power output is limited to just 4kW (5hp) and the top speed must be no more than 28mph. Before you scoff, though, in some European countries that allows 14-year-olds to get behind the wheel and their first taste of freedom. I am all for that. Although the Topolino looks even more like the original Fiat 500 than the current Fiat 500 (click here to read the review of the Abarth 500e), its name is taken from what was one of the smallest cars in the world back in 1936. That original Topolino wasn’t overburdened with power and speed, either. It came with a 569cc, side-valve four-cylinder producing 13hp, which would propel it, eventually, to 53mph.
Fiat hasn’t said much about this Topolino’s technical specifications, but as it’s based on the Ami, it’s fair to assume the same 5.5kWh battery will be used, giving it a city range of up to 46 miles. And being built for the city means it should equal the Ami’s on-a-dime turning circle of 7.2 metres. If it also matches the Ami's 2.4-metre length you'll be able to nose into small parking spaces as well.
Fiat says the Topolino will ‘make young people fall in love with cars again,’ which would be no bad thing. Apparently it will play ‘a socially active role in promoting electric mobility in cities and a special role in creating a personal mobility solution for the whole family'. Speaking of Fiat’s promotion of electric mobility, the Topolino also fits with its ethos that ‘It's only green when it's green for all’ – meaning an electric option (with a roof) that is open to those on tighter budgets. The only issue as far, as I can see, is that it sounds as if it’s not coming officially to the UK. Bet you’ll see a few imported ones, though, because it’s a car without doors, and those are, more often than not, even cooler to be seen in than a supercar.
It's easy to scoff, but this is far more relevant to the modern transport needs of an urban city than just about any other congestion-charge exempt electric car, so I applause FIAT for having a go. Kind of like a G-Wiz that isn't total bum-gravy.
If it was 'derestricted' to 33mph and had functioning suspension (it's a Citroen FFS) I would be tempted, but at the moment I'm out, especially given the price.
This looks cool, but isn't going to resolved any of the issues with the vehicle it's based on.
I'm a petrol/diesel/electric head through and through and love driving anything that has between 2 and 18 wheels. I have four kids, three adults and one nearly there, and the three of them couldn't give a monkey's about cars or owning one despite my vain attempts to sow the seeds of interest in them from day 0.
My oldest is done with her Masters and can't wait to get her motorbike license followed by car; she's the outlier, also amongst her friends. The others are content with Gran Turismo at best. It's the same for a great many of their friends too; a car just isn't something they aspire to own - it's regarded as a useful tool for trips to IKEA and suchlike, and the car-share schemes are perfectly suited to that demographic.
You can't blame them really; extortionate parking fees, maintenance, insurance, taxes and fuel (be it combustible or electric) in the towns and cities[1] make car ownership an extremely unattractive proposition. That horrible little Fiat/Citroën thing isn't going to change anything; if anything they'll take a drive in it and think "what the ****? Cars are rubbish".
ETA - Other perspectives are equally valid of course, the above is purely based on personal experience. I'm interested to hear others' views
[1] - I'm in Denmark, but I can't imagine the situation is any different in most western-European countries.
At least I'd have a chance of being thrown through a plate glass window, or bed of spikes, rather than having a bunch of tubing that appears to be from school chairs folding in on me.
I'm a petrol/diesel/electric head through and through and love driving anything that has between 2 and 18 wheels. I have four kids, three adults and one nearly there, and the three of them couldn't give a monkey's about cars or owning one despite my vain attempts to sow the seeds of interest in them from day 0.
My oldest is done with her Masters and can't wait to get her motorbike license followed by car; she's the outlier, also amongst her friends. The others are content with Gran Turismo at best. It's the same for a great many of their friends too; a car just isn't something they aspire to own - it's regarded as a useful tool for trips to IKEA and suchlike, and the car-share schemes are perfectly suited to that demographic.
You can't blame them really; extortionate parking fees, maintenance, insurance, taxes and fuel (be it combustible or electric) in the towns and cities[1] make car ownership an extremely unattractive proposition. That horrible little Fiat/Citroën thing isn't going to change anything; if anything they'll take a drive in it and think "what the ****? Cars are rubbish".
ETA - Other perspectives are equally valid of course, the above is purely based on personal experience. I'm interested to hear others' views
[1] - I'm in Denmark, but I can't imagine the situation is any different in most western-European countries.
I look at my nephew and niece - equally no interest in cars - but please run me here and there is the constant request. My parents used to tell me to get on my bike or take the bus, so the progression to personal transport was entirely logical, my nephew and niece get ferried everywhere - when the ferrying stops will they also seek personal transport?
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