Stellantis has confirmed that it will be bringing its first two electric vehicles (EVs) to South Africa in 2024.
As reported by TopAuto, the Fiat 500e hatchback and Abarth 500e hot hatch will be arriving on showroom floors in the second half of the year.
The Fiat 500e is a fully-electrified rework of the iconic three-door hatch that has been around for 67 years.
It could become one of the most affordable EVs in South Africa, joining the GWM Ora 03, BYD Dolphin, and Volvo EX30.
Two versions of the Fiat 500e are sold overseas, one boasting a single electric motor producing 70kW and 220Nm torque and a slightly more powerful motor with 87kW and 220Nm torque.
These two options can reach 100km/h from a standstill in 9.5 seconds and 9 seconds, respectively.
The entry-level model comes with a small 24kWh battery supporting up to 190km on a single charge, while the more powerful variant packs a 42kWh unit that is good for up to 320km between charges.
The 24kWh battery supports DC fast charging speeds of up to 50kW, while the 42kWh pack can charge at up to 87kW.
Pricing for both models remains to be confirmed but should be on the more affordable side of the EV line-up in South AFrica.
In the UK, the entry-level 70kW Fiat 500e starts at £28,195 (R667,874), while the model with the bigger battery comes in at £31,195 (R740,992).
Both configurations undercut the GWM Ora 03’s entry-level price tag of £31,995 (R760,202) in the UK.
While the Ora 03 is currently the most affordable EV in South Africa, the Fiat 500e’s UK price suggests it could dethrone the Chinese hatch to become the country’s new cheapest electric car.
More power please
The sportier Abarth 500e boasts the same 42kWh battery pack as the high-end Fiat 500e.
However, it features a more powerful motor with up to 113kW output and 235Nm torque, making it capable of 0—100km/h acceleration from a standstill in 7.0 seconds.
On the design side, it shares most of its fundamental elements with the Fiat 500e but comes with sportier exterior and interior finishes.
At a price of £32,861 (R780,439) in the UK, it should also be priced among the most affordable EVs in South Africa.
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