The 2026 Fiat 500 Hybrid has been revealed – with a manual transmission – but the Italian brand’s first new-generation petrol-powered city car in 18 years is yet to be confirmed for release in Australia, where the old Fiat 500 was axed last year due to slow sales.
Based on the much newer Fiat 500e electric hatch released in 2023, the first Fiat 500 Hybrid looks identical to the pint-size electric hatch apart from a revised grille (covered in camo wrap on the pre-production vehicles you see here) to direct air to its petrol-electric powertrain.
There’s also a capless fuel filler to replace the Fiat 500e’s rear-quarter charging port.
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It’s unclear exactly which electrified petrol engine will power the new Fiat 500, but it’s expected to be the same 1.0-litre three-cylinder mild-hybrid Firefly unit seen in the old Fiat Panda, and overseas versions of the Fiat 500 since 2020.
The appearance of a six-speed manual gear selector in these images rules out the 1.2-litre three-cylinder mild-hybrid Puretech engine employed by a variety of Stellantis models including the new Fiat Grande Panda, which is fitted only with a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.
Fiat says production of the 500 Hybrid is on target to begin at its Mirafiori plant outside Turin in November, ahead of first deliveries across Europe.
Once at full capacity, annual production is expected to be more than 100,000 units, with at least 70 per cent of that due to be exported outside Italy.
Fiat’s unprecedented move to retrofit a battery-electric vehicle (EV) with a combustion engine not only gives it a replacement for the 17-year-old Fiat 500 that was discontinued to due EU cybersecurity legislation, but increases the output of its Mirafiori factory amid slow sales of the 500e and its Abarth 500e hot hatch sister model, production of which was paused to meet demand last year.
“500 hybrid offers affordable electrification and iconic style, proof that social relevance is at the core of the brand mission,” said Fiat CEO and Stellantis Global CMO, Olivier Francois.
“With the 500 Hybrid, we are strengthening production at Mirafiori to ensure the plant’s productivity and meet the demand. Our roots are in Italy and it’s no coincidence that the two most iconic Fiat are made here: the Panda in Pomigliano and the 500 in Mirafiori.”
Previously, Fiat said it would also invest €100 million (A$173.7m) into future development the 500e, including a redesigned platform to accommodate new battery technologies that aim to improve its affordability.
An upgraded version of the 500e is therefore expected around 2026.
While the Fiat 500 was discontinued in Australia in mid-2024, when further imports of the petrol-powered micro-car ceased, some MY24 stock remains available.
Powered by a 1.2-litre petrol engine producing 51kW of power and 102Nm of torque, the Fiat 500 Dolcevita can still be had for $28,900 before on-road costs, while the Abarth 695 remains available from $38,900, powered by a 132kW/250Nm 1.4-litre petrol four.
But when stocks are exhausted, Fiat Australia’s only models will be the Ducato van, the Fiat 500e La Prima with an 87kW/220Nm electric motor for $52,500 plus on-roads, and the Abarth 500e with a 134kW/235Nm electric motor, priced from $58,900.
Fiat Australia sold 146 Fiat/Abarth 500/500e vehicles in the first third of this year, down 22 per cent on the same January-April period last year.
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