Fiat has launched its second fully electric car, following on from the adorable little 500e. Well, maybe car isn't quite the right word - the E-Ulysse is actually based on the Fiat Scudo van, and will come with two wheelbase lengths, and seats for up to eight people (including the driver).
Up to 330km range
The name is a throwback to the Ulysse MPV, which was sold in the early 2000s, but this new one borrows tech from sister products such as the Peugeot e-Traveller and the Citroen e-SpaceTourer. The E-Ulysse gets the same battery pack (a choice of 50kWh or 75kWh capacities) and the same range (230km for the 50kWh, or 330km for the 75kWh) along with the same 136hp, 260Nm electric motor driving the front wheels.
The battery can be charged at speeds of up to 100kW, which means you can get it to an 80 per cent charge in 45 minutes from a high-speed public charging point.
Portable air sanitiser
Fiat says that the car's interior is inspired by "the Italian art of hospitality" and it can be specified with a portable air sanitising device - we guess that is aimed more at the airport chauffeur market, a fact underlined by Fiat using a classic 'pose the car with an expensive private jet' style for the official photos.
The E-Ulysse comes in a choice of two body lengths - 4.95 metres or 5.3 metres - and has a boot that stretches from 900 litres (with all of the seats in use) to 4,200 litres (with all of the seats folded down). The longer version expands that boot space to 1,500 litres or 4,900 litres.
As for the seat layouts, you can choose from a seven-seat 'Living Room' layout or an eight-seat 'Shuttle' version. The Living Room model gets larger seats, with folding armrests and a folding table.
Driver aids
The E-Ulysse will come with lots of electronic driver aids, including traffic sign recognition, lane departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning with autonomous emergency braking, a rear-view camera and Grip Control traction control for slippery surfaces. The infotainment system might be a touch disappointing though - only top-spec versions get a touchscreen, and even then, it's only a seven-inch screen.
Other standard equipment includes 17-inch alloy wheels, reclining and removable seats, three-zone air conditioning, removable work surfaces, sunshades for the rear seats and a storage net in the trunk. Also available is a higher level, known as Lounge, which gets a tailgate with electric opening and a panoramic sunroof with ambient light.