Tag Archives: city car

City cars, Electric/hybrid, Fiat

Living La Dolce Vita

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Fiat 500 Hybrid

By Bill McCarthy

The Italian phrase Dolce Vita can be translated as ‘the sweet life’ or ‘the good life’ and the mission of the tiny Fiat seems to be to deliver that. Even if it seems at times, the slick retro Italian puts style above substance.

But the remarkable success story of the Fiat 500 goes on with the latest chapter embracing the electric age.

Fiat says it will remove all non-electrified vehicles from sale in the UK in 2022, after 2021 saw the biggest annual increase in electric vehicle registrations in the UK

It has the same retro look of its diminutive predecessor of which was sol popular from 1957 through to 1975. But the latest version is very much a city car of the 21st century – cheapish to buy and cheap to tax and insure. There are four trim levels, Pop, Connect, of course the Dolcevita version and this range topping Sport. 

Its range now features a petrol version, a mild hybrid and the all-electric 500.

Mild is the operative word really when compared to full hybrids or plug-in versions. 

The set-up increases economy by allowing an auxiliary battery and electric motor to recuperate braking energy provide a boost to the engine when required, by assisting stop/start function, improving mpg and reducing CO2 emissions.

The attraction of the 500 for many is that it can be enhanced and customised without breaking the bank and even if not, still has that funky look much favoured by young drivers.

Styling cues include body-coloured bumpers, smart alloy wheels, a fixed panoramic glass roof, hybrid badging, tinted rear windows, rear spoiler and satin graphite door mirrors 

The interior is certainly not filled with soft touch plastic finish, more painted dash and cheaper trim, but that does not detract from the car’s character.

The dashboard is dominated by the seven-inch touchscreen which controls smartphone connectivity and infotainment. Bluetooth, DAB, satnav with TomTom’s Live connected traffic services and smartphone integration. The binnacle is dominated by a single large dial.

This version also features sports seats and steering wheel.

Electric windows are standard as is air con, central locking and power steering.

Boot space is, well, limited, to say the least. with just 185 litres available. Fold the seats for more space. But don’t expect to get the golf clubs in there.

But that’s not what this car is about and you can still get your overnight bag or a couple of bags of shopping in the space..

On the road, the one-litre, three-cylinder engine is lively enough from a standing start, but then has been worked pretty hard for any kind of decent acceleration. It takes around 13 seconds to hit the 60mph mark.

Mated to a five-speed gearbox, plenty of shifting up and down is needed, particularly around town to maximise performance. It is very economical however with a claimed 60.1mpg and emissions of 107g/km.

Safety kit is comprehensive with seven airbags, driver and passenger airbags, side airbags, window airbags and driver’s knee airbags, stability control and ABS and parking sensors.

Fun, funky, economical and safe. The tried and tested recipe is still a success.

Factfile

Fiat 500 Hybrid Sport 

Price: £16,935

Mechanical: 70bhp, 999cc three cylinder engine driving front wheels via five speed manual gearbox

Max Speed: 114mph

0-62mph: 13.8sec

Combined MPG: 60.1

Insurance Group: 13

C02 emissions: 107g/km

Bik rating:  26%

Warranty:  3yrs/60,000 miles

City cars, electric, Manufacturer, SEAT, Vehicle type

Leading the charge

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SEAT Mii Electric

By Bill McCarthy

CITY cars are no longer cheap and nasty, although not that many were that nasty in the first place. That has changed with the electric car revolution, so the Mii will now set you back the thick end of £20k. Pricey for such a small car.

But it boasts equipment levels usually found on premium models, somewhat mitigating the cost. These include metallic paint, sports seats, LED daytime running lights, cruise control, rear parking sensors, rain sensors and fast DC charging capabilities.

The funky Mii is the first electric vehicle from the SEAT brand, laying the groundwork for more to join the family in the future says the firm.

Longer journeys are now also less of a problem as the network of charging points grow

 But what you still get with this groundbreaking little car is the same practicality and fun as previous petrol versions, but with huge savings on fuel and carbon emissions.

The vehicle capable of a range of a claimed 161 miles on a single charge. I topped it up once during a week and that was only because I wanted to be on the safe side as the weather was shocking. Lights, wipers and demisters put a strain on the battery.

The problems of fully electric motors have always been the range, but this is becoming less of a problem as battery technology develops. Longer journeys are now also less of a problem as the network of charging points grow and the ability, like this vehicle, to get an 80 per cent charge in around an hour. Just enough time for a cuppa on a motorway service station.

Home wall box/public or work charge point will take around four hours, while plugged into an ordinary wall socket will take 13-16 hours.

The  motor, linked to a single speed transmission, provides its 61kW (83PS) of power and 212Nm of torque instantly, meaning the five-door car can reach 31mph from a standstill in only 3.9 seconds. It  simply zips away from a standing start, startling other road users with its pace.

Slightly refreshed, it still looks good, with great efforts to disguise the boxy shape with raked windscreen, neat light clusters and deep bumpers electric logo lettering at the rear and 16-inch alloy wheels.

 The interior too is upgraded and, depending on your taste, looks either funky or odd, with dark interior offset by the white, patterned dashboard. Other features include, ambient lighting, sporty and heated fabric seats, black sport leather steering wheel, gear knob and handbrake.  Safety is also well catered for with features  such as Lane Assist and Traffic sign recognition as standard equipment and a good range of airbags.

The binnacle and central controls are logical, and there is no central touchscreen. Instead SEAT have introduced a cradle above the dash to hold the phone or pad to do your own thing with navigation, connectivity and infotainment via Bluetooth.

 It is also the first model to include SEAT CONNECT, which allows you to  driving data, parking position, the vehicle’s status, including doors and lights, and the ability to control air-conditioning remotely, all from their smartphone app.

  The car has been designed like a box on wheels to get maximum room inside, which it does, but not totally compromise boot space, which it doesn’t. This makes for a spacious interior with excellent headroom and surprising good legroom.

 It is practical enough despite the limited boot size, with the rear seats splitting and folding to create decent stowage space when required.

On the road, the shape means it won’t appreciate being thrown into corners, but the customised suspension does give a pleasant ride for all occupants, handling pretty well what our potholed roads throw at it. The car is virtually silent, as there is no engine or transmission noise and it is well insulated from road and wind noise.

The Mii is leading the environmentally-friendly way forward for SEAT and while it was already and excellent little car, running costs have become cheaper despite the large initial outlay.

Factfile

SEAT Mii Electric

Price: £19,800 (includes up to £3,000 HMRC electric car grant)

Mechanical: 83PS, 61kwH electric motor driving front wheels via single speed auto transmission

Max speed: 81mph

0-62mph: 12.3 seconds

Range: 161 miles

Insurance group: 12E

CO2 emissions: 00g/km

Warranty: 3yrs/60,000 miles