Fiat 500e Inspired by LA - More Like "Inspired by Deja Vu"
Image Credit: FIAT.
Fiat has just launched the latest addition to their electric 500e lineup, the "Inspired by Los Angeles" (ILA) trim. Now, they're telling us it's a unique, character-filled car inspired by the City of Angels. But let me tell you, it's about as unique as a Hollywood starlet's plastic surgeon.
First off, the specs: it's got a 117-horsepower motor, front-wheel drive, and a not-so-brisk 0 to 60 mph time of about 8 seconds on a good day. The 500e does come with three driving modes - Normal, Range, and Sherpa - to cater to your inner eco-warrior. The EPA estimates a range of 141 miles, but in any real-world test, it only manages around 120 miles. So, plan your road trips accordingly. It charges up pretty quickly, though, adding 31 miles of range in just five minutes at a DC fast charger.
Image Credit: FIAT.
Inside, you'll find a large 10.3-inch touchscreen, a 7.0-inch digital gauge display, and a wireless charging pad. It's got all the techy bits you'd expect, like navigation, satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. But let's face it, you're not buying this car for the tech, are you?
Now, the ILA is supposed to be inspired by Los Angeles, right? Well, the only thing LA about this car is the "Marine Layer Mist" paint job - a fancy name for a rather fetching shade of robin's egg blue. Other than that, it's practically identical to the "Inspired by Music" trim. Seriously, Fiat, you couldn't even be bothered to change the wheels?
And what's with this whole "Inspired by" series, anyway? Fiat claims it's to streamline the ordering process, but it just feels like they're taking away our freedom to customize. If I want a car inspired by my love of cheese and accordion music, I should be able to have that, darn it!
Image Credit: FIAT.
Now, the all important question of price. The ILA will set you back $37,595, which is the same as the other "Inspired by" trims. It'll be available to order later this month, but don't expect to see it at your local dealership until later this year. That’s a bit confusing - you can order it but can’t see it?
Look, I'm all for electric cars, but this one just feels like a missed opportunity. If Fiat wants to create truly unique and inspiring cars, they need to put in a bit more effort than just slapping on a new coat of paint and calling it a day. At nearly $40,000 for this tiny electric contraption, we should really expect to see more. Way more.
