TURIN LUCK FIAT FANS...

500 hybrid is best blend of old & new

- BY JUSTIN DELANEY

FOR much of the past few years, the Fiat 500 has sadly been a rare sight on Irish roads.

Fiat phased out petrol-only versions across Europe from 2020 to 2023, pushing the city car into the electric era.

While the EV suited its compact proportions, many buyers weren't ready to switch and still wanted choice. As sales softened, Fiat has finally responded by reintroducing combustion with a hint of mild hybrid assistance to bring back familiarity with lower running costs.

Armed with this knowledge, we returned to Turin to drive the new 500 Hybrid and find out whether the blend of heritage and modern tech can restore the little Fiat's everyday appeal. As expected, there is nostalgia in the production story.

The 500 Hybrid is being built at Mirafiori, the factory complex synonymous with the brand and the original Cinquecento.

IDENTITY

Left-hand-drive production started in November and Fiat expects right-hand-drive to follow from the second quarter of 2026, with output ramping up substantially thereafter. The decision to build the 500 here anchors the new Hybrid to its birthplace and underlines how important the car remains to Fiat's identity.

Under those cute panels, the engineering is straightforward and sensible. Fiat has reworked the platform that was designed around electric propulsion to accommodate a 1.0-litre three-cylinder FireFly petrol engine paired with a 12-volt mild-hybrid system.