Fiat to revive historic Topolino into a mini EV

The Citroen Ami, the baby electric vehicle (EV), is all set to get another twin from the Fiat stable, with the carmaker gearing up to revive the historic Topolino brand — that was last produced 60 years ago — into a mini EV.

Fiat is set to make the new mini electric vehicle based on the Citroen Ami. It may not see a total makeover but be on lines of the zero-emission car sold by Citroen in Europe. 

And, the buzz is that the launch of the Topolino mini EV could happen by next year itself.

The Fiat Topolino 500 B 1948 model -- Source:
Car and Driver.

In some countries in Europe, the Ami is billed as a “quadricycle” owing to its low power and small size. There, it can be driven from the age of 14 and is ideally suited for semi-rural areas as well as urban driving.

 

Just like the Ami, the revived Topolino may be sold in passenger and cargo versions. There are also plans for a convertible model with a canvas soft roof. Fiat’s quadricycle would differentiate itself further with this canvas roof. 

Just 2.41 metres (95 inches) in length, the Ami has space for two adults and is powered by a small electric motor with top output of just 8 horsepower (6 kilowatts). 

The Citroen Ami -- Source: Ccarprice.com

A 5.5-kWh battery pack provides a Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicles Test Procedure (WLTP)-certified range of 75 km (47 miles) on a single charge. 

The top speed of the Ami is only 45 km per hour (28 miles) and it comes with a 7.2-metre turning circle. 

Fiat’s version of the Topolino is likely to see the same tech specifications, though, and as per a news report, it could offer a more upscale cabin. 

Just like the Citroen Ami as well as the Opel Rocks-e, the Topolino is likely to be assembled at Stellantis’ plant at Kenitra in Morocco. 

Production capacity of this facility is set to be ramped up to nearly 35,000-40,000 cars a year once the Topolino joins the assembly lines next year.

Citroen had sold 9,183 units of the Ami in the year 2021.

Fiat’s new model will be the third quadricycle from Stellantis stable, following the Citroen Ami, which was launched in 2020, and the almost identical Opel Rocks-e that rolled out in 2021.

About the Topolino

The Topolino was introduced in 1936 and remained in production till the year 1955. More than half a million A, B and C type models were made before the production was stopped. Then, the rear-engine 500-D model was produced.

E-Vroooom views

So, with the revival of the Topolino brand by Fiat into a mini EV, it could create an impact in the Europe market, which usually has a fad for vintage and small cars.

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