The all-electric New Fiat 500 Convertible adds soft top appeal to an EV that re-invents and re-defines what this iconic model line should be. Jonathan Crouch takes a look.

Ten Second Review

Everything is different about the new third generation Fiat 500 EV - but much is also very much the same when it comes to this open air Convertible version with its fabric folding top. This model has always been a cute option for fresh air fashion seekers. Now, it offers a cleaner, different approach to budget-orientated open air motoring.

Background

'Al fresco' motoring has always been a significant option in creating the full Fiat 500 experience. Indeed, it only took a year from the launch of the original 'Nuova 500' in 1957 for an open-topped '500N' version to be introduced. This wasn't a full convertible - and it didn't need to be. Instead, a vast fabric sunroof provided open air enjoyment without the need for significant extra cost or weight. Just as it does in this modern-era open-topped 500 model, the fully electric 500 cabriolet.

What's officially called the 'New 500 cabriolet' is, for the time being, sold alongside the old 500C, which continues on with a conventional mild hybrid 1.0-litre petrol engine. This latest car is fractionally bigger than that old second generation model, but uses much the same kind of fabric folding top. Unlike some stylised direct EV segment rivals, there's a proper driving range of nearly 200 miles with the volume 42kWh version.

Driving Experience

The 42kWh battery pack you have to have here is mated to an 87kW (118hp) motor and is fitted across the rest of the 500 cabriolet range. This is good for 186-199 miles and this variant takes around 9 seconds to get from rest to 62mph, so it'll easily keep up with the traffic flow. There's an 85kW rapid charging system that can recharge the battery from empty to 80% capacity in just 35 minutes and can provide the car with 31 miles of driving range in just 5 minutes.

Various drive modes are available that will enable you to maximise your driving range. There are three settings - 'Normal', 'Range' and the curiously named 'Sherpa', with the last of these being focused on getting the maximum from the battery, including a navigation program that will limit maximum speed to 50mph and restrict acceleration. The 'Range' mode maximises brake regeneration, meaning that you'll normally only have to drive with one pedal, so great will be the deceleration when you lift off the throttle. But most of the time, you'll be leaving in this car in its 'Normal' setting, in which form it won't require too much acclimatisation over any other small car.

Design and Build

As with the old 500C, there's no proper convertible top; just what amounts to a fabric folding sunroof, though it electrically retracts right back to give a decent wind-in-the-hair feel. The rest of the car is, of course, exactly like the fixed-top version. Don't be deceived by the familiar looks; everything is new here - including the fresh architecture that this car sits upon. Fiat has deliberately made exterior look an evolution of this car's predecessor - specifically in the light and bumper designs. Look more closely though and you'll spot sharper lines and flush door handles, plus the adoption of full-LED headlights.

For existing 500C owners, much less will be recognisable inside, where the dashboard is much wider and now topped by a big 10.25-inch touchscreen housing the brand's latest U connect 5 media system. This can deliver navigation, a Wi-Fi hotspot and Apple CarPlay.

Market and Model

As usual with EVs, the Convertible range commands a premium of around £2,700 over the fixed-up version, but the starting price is quite a lot higher because this soft top can't be had with base 'Action' trim and the smaller battery. That means prices start at just under £30,000 for base 'Icon' trim, rising to just under £32,500 for the top 'La Prima' derivative.

Across the range, you get the brand's latest 'U connect 5' 10.25-inch centre-dash infotainment screen, which is fully connected and based on the Android operating system. It includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone-mirroring. The 'La Prima' launch-spec model comes with full-LED headlights, 17-inch diamond-cut wheels and chrome-plated side panel inserts. It will be offered with three exclusive paint shades. Inside, there's eco-leather upholstery for the dashboard and the seats.

Safety kit includes big car-style features like autonomous emergency braking, blind spot monitoring and a 360-degree parking assist system. As an option, Fiat is offering an intelligent adaptive cruise control system, which combines automatic lane keeping and a feature that will keep you a predefined distance from the vehicle ahead.

Cost of Ownership

In this 42kWh form, the new 500 cabriolet features an 85kW rapid charging system that can recharge the battery from empty to 80% capacity in just 35 minutes and can provide the car with 31 miles of driving range in just 5 minutes. Buyers can also get a Fiat-branded wall charging box that offers 3kW charging and apparently doesn't need to be professionally installed. This wallbox can be upgraded to allow for 7.4kW charging at home. That 7.4kW wall box allows you to fully charge this electric 500 in just over 6 hours.

The important driving range figure for the 42kWh model is quoted at 186-199 miles on the WLTP cycle - which is close to the 211 mile EV driving figure you'll get from an EV supermini in the next class up, like a Peugeot e-208 or a Vauxhall Corsa-e. As usual with a Fiat, this car is covered by a three-year, unlimited mileage warranty and there's 36 months of breakdown cover included as well. Should you have a problem on a journey, you can use the 'Uconnect' infotainment system to contact roadside assistance and the same set-up can also be used to book routine services too.

Summary

And in summary? Well in one of these, even the most mundane of commutes can be turned into a journey you might actually look forward to making. Here's an open-topped citycar that's very difficult to dislike, a carefree cabrio that's free, sunny and open in its outlook, with a sheer joie de vivre that's central to its charming appeal. Choosing a 'fashionable' little runabout can often be a risk. Here though, is one you can enjoy without a worry.

FACTS AT A GLANCE

CAR: Fiat 500 Convertible

PRICES: £31,485-£29,995 – on the road

CATEGORY: FULL ELECTRIC – COMPACT / Convertible - Affordable

INSURANCE GROUPS: 19P-21P

PERFORMANCE: 0-62mph 9.0s / Max speed 93mph

WLTP ELECTRIC DRIVING RANGE: 199 miles

BOOT CAPACITY: [litres] 185

WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Height 3632/1683/1527 mm