Fiat Chrysler Unveils First Mass Market Mild Hybrids

Philip Oakley

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10th January 2020

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) has announced its first electrified mass market vehicles to hit the showroom, with two mild hybrid city cars.

The electrified Fiat 500 and Fiat Panda will feature 1.0-liter, 69bhp three-cylinder engines, accompanied by a 51kW electric motor and 12-volt, 11Ah lithium-ion battery. This will see CO2 emissions reduced by up to 30%, although the automaker has not specified exact figures for emissions. The engine itself has peak torque of 67ft-lbs, with the electric motor mounted directly onto the engine. The entire powertrain sits 1.7-inches lower to the ground compared to the previous models, resulting in better handling.

FCA is lagging behind on electrification, with many of its rivals pushing out plug-in hybrids versions of their models and pure-electric vehicles this year. The Italian-American company has agreed to a merger with PSA Group, the French manufacturer responsible for Citroën, Peugeot, DS, Opel and Vauxhall, but it remains to be seen how this will benefit both companies.

The two cars will be available to order later this month, with first deliveries taking place by the end of March.