The New 500 continues to rake in international awards

“The New 500 continues to captivate the European public a few weeks after its presentation to the international press, achieving a double victory, first in France, then in the UK, further enhancing a trophy haul that already includes “Green Car” at the 2020 Automobile Awards, plus “Car of the Year and Best Small Electric Car” awarded by DrivingElectric, to join the “Best Design 2020” award from the “Best Design 2020

At the Automobile Awards 2020, the Latest 500 won “Green Car” in France, an award given by a jury of automotive industry experts, fans and end customers, including the honorary guest, actor and comedian Arnaud Ducret, among its members.For the first time in the UK, the new model has also received an award: the coveted “Car of the Year and Best Small Electric Car,” presented by the specialist website “DrivingElectric,” where it was praised for its sleek design, technology, accessible range of up to 320 km and the price of its entry-level Action trim.

After the two other prestigious awards it has recently won in Germany, this double win is coming. The first was in October, when the Latest 500 won the “Red Dot Award 2020” in the Design Concept category, one of the most prestigious awards in the world of industrial design. The jury consisted of 21 of the world’s most respected architecture experts and lecturers, with over 4,100 applicants from 52 countries considered this year.

The title ‘Best Concept 2020’ in its category, awarded to readers of the German magazine ‘Auto Motor und Sport’ who cast their votes in the ‘Autonis 2020’ contest, was met with the same success one month later. Therefore, thanks to its unique and distinctive style that continues to amaze and enchant, the Latest 500 has taken one of the most coveted awards in the world of design, beating off rivals with a traditional combustion engine.

The first 100% electric car of the FCA, it still remains a real 500. The 42 kW battery guarantees an extended range, up to 320 km in the WLTP cycle, up to 450 km in the urban cycle, and comes standard with both the Passion and Icon models of the 85 kW battery charger. It takes just 5 minutes to charge up to 50 kilometers, which is more than enough for daily average use. In just 35 minutes, the quick charger can also charge the battery to 80 percent.

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In terms of output, the batteries are coupled with an electric motor of 87 kW (118 hp), which provides an automatically limited maximum speed of 150 km/h, acceleration in 9.0 seconds from 0 to 100 km/h and in 3.1 seconds from 0 to 50 km/h.

Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems (ADAS) are also included in the 500, making it faster, safer, smoother and more fun to drive, as well as being the first vehicle in its segment fitted with autonomous level 2 driving. But the engineers at FCA didn’t stop there.

By introducing specific solutions customized for the 500, their aim was to humanize the technology: from advanced driver assistance features to longitudinal and lateral control of the car to sensors that detect if the driver has his hands on the steering wheel. Therefore, risk level control is even more specific, meaning we might make the automated notifications less intrusive.

And there is more:’ Lane Centering’ keeps the New 500 in the middle of the lane, while ‘Urban Blind Spot’ uses ultrasonic sensors to detect blind spots and alert the wing mirror to any obstacles with a triangular warning light. At the same time, the eleven 360 ° sensors provide a ‘drone view’ to prevent any obstacles during parking or complex maneuvering: almost a bird’s eye view of any obstacles in your way.

The Latest 500 is the most wired vehicle ever, too. The proof is available with a 7″ screen in the PASSION version and 10.25″ in the ICON with a custom interface and advanced voice recognition system, activated hands-free with the wake word “Hey Fiat” in the latest fifth-generation UConnect 5 infotainment system, the connected platform developed by FCA for the future, available with a 7″ screen in the PASSION version and 10.25″ in the ICON.

The new UConnect Box allows networking features, including access to the “UConnect Services” of the New 500, one example of which turns the car into a Wi-Fi hotspot for connecting up to 8 devices at the same time. These communication services are normally reserved for higher segments, but Fiat makes them accessible for the first time on an A-segment vehicle, with features specifically designed for the electric vehicle environment.

In hatchback and cabriolet models, plus the brand-new 3+1 model, with a third small passenger side door, the New 500 is available.

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