Fiat has given us a glimpse of its new 600 crossover. In the photo we've seen, which shows a 600 covered entirely in bright orange paint and suspended above an Italian piazza, we can't see too many details yet, but we do know some things about the crucial new crossover.
Critical car for Fiat
The 600 will be a critical car for Fiat as it looks to finally expand beyond the tiny 500 city car. The 500, since way back in 2007, has been a huge success for Fiat and continues to sell well both in hybrid and electric forms, but Fiat needs to start selling larger cars, and more of them, to make consistent profits. The 600 will be sized to slot between the diminutive 500 hatchback and the next-generation 500X, which will grow to become a larger SUV to take on the likes of the MINI Clubman.
This new 600 is the start of a new model expansion which will also see modern-day replacements for the likes of the Panda and the Punto. The 600 will be based on the same underpinnings as the recently-launched Jeep Avenger and the just-updated Peugeot 2008, so it can offer petrol, hybrid, and fully-electric options.
Electric 600e
That all-electric 600e will come with the same 54kWh battery and 156hp electric motor as the Avenger and should mimic its circa-400km range on one charge.
We also know that the styling will closely follow that of the electric 500e, with prominent lights bisected by the bonnet's leading edge and a 'smiley' face to the front. Inside, the 600 should be reasonably spacious (although the likes of the Avenger and 2008 aren't the roomiest cars in the back) and will feature a new, more minimalist cabin design, becoming a signature for Fiat.
As will the 600's colour palette, as Fiat is ditching grey. Grey has become an utterly ubiquitous colour in recent years. Indeed, so far this year, the majority - 14.6 per cent - of Irish cars have been sold with grey or silver paint. Fiat wants to buck that trend and start making our streets and car parks a bit more cheerful.
No more grey
The 600 will be in the vanguard of this movement. It will only be offered in brighter colours, which Fiat says will reflect the geography and character of Italy with paints that are grouped into categories such as the Sea of Italy, the Sun of Italy, the Earth of Italy and the Sky of Italy.
"We broke the rules: we decided to stop the production of Fiat grey cars. This is challenging and disruptive and it is aimed to further reinforcing Fiat's leadership as the Brand of joy, colours, and optimism. Italy is the country of colours and, starting from today, FIAT's cars too," declared Olivier Francois, FIAT Chief Executive Officer and Global Chief Marketing Officer at Stellantis Group. "This choice further communicates to people the 'New Dolce Vita' values and the Italian DNA embodied by the Brand. Fiat wants to inspire people to live with optimism and positivity and this will also be one of the missions of the new Fiat 600e."
As it stands, the existing Fiat lineup - 500, 500e, Panda, and Tipo - are already offered in a panoply of non-grey colours: Gelato white, Sicilia orange, Paprika orange, Passione red, Blu Dipinto di Blu, Italia blue, Venezia blue, Rugiada green, Foresta green, Rose gold and Cinema black, so really there's no excuse for picking boring old grey already.
The 600 and 600e will be fully revealed on the 4th of July - nothing to do with celebrations of American independence, but the traditional reveal date for new Fiats, honouring that the original Nouva 500 was first shown on the 4th of July 1957.