Here’s a big chance for cheap, small-car proponents in the USA. Stellantis is bringing the Fiat Topolino EV to town, and it checks the boxes for what many of us have been wanting. The question, as always with small cars in the US, is if many people will actually buy it. Also, frankly, it has some serious weaknesses that are hard to overlook. One might say that it goes too far in the small car direction. Here are the three most critical factors: It costs only $13,995. That’s a truly low price that puts it in competition with quite heavily used EVs, and who wouldn’t rather have a new EV than a used one? It has only 46 miles of range on a full charge…. That’s very 2010. I’m definitely not one of the most “you need a ton of range” people — quite the opposite. But this really doesn’t cut it. The car, by the way, also isn’t yet street legal. “Low-speed vehicle designed for neighborhood and lifestyle use, with potential for street-legal capability by late summer 2026,” Stellantis writes. So, basically, this is a glorified golf cart, or a micromobility vehicle that happens to look like a car. No wonder it’s “only” $14,000. With a bit more range and capability, $14,000 would sound really good. But with its current limitations, you can’t even really call it a car (can you?) and it’s in competition with golf carts more than anything else. It can be driven on public roads with speed limits of 35 mph or less, but that’s it. It’s still a cool, fun little vehicle. But it’s obviously not going to sell in significant quantities at all. Here’s how Stellantis sells it: “A little piece of la dolce vita is now crossing the Atlantic and into America. The Fiat Topolino brings its unmistakable Italian spirit to U.S. shores — playful, stylish and offering a new kind of freedom for modern neighborhoods. More than a vehicle, Topolino is an invitation to rediscover mobility through simplicity, joy and design. The Topolino’s highly anticipated arrival also marks a strategic step forward for FIAT within Stellantis, expanding into the fast-growing micromobility space.” More than a vehicle? Or less than a car? “Topolino represents a new chapter for the brand in the U.S. — defined not just by size, but by purpose,” said Olivier Francois, FIAT brand CEO. “With Topolino, we bring a feeling, a lifestyle, a reminder that mobility can be joyful, expressive and beautifully simple.” Hmm … I’d say its very much defined by size. The rest is a very flowery sales pitch to try to get you to buy a super limited vehicle for $14,000. “FIAT continues to stand apart by embracing its legacy in small cars, redefining mobility, and anticipating evolving customer needs. With the introduction of Topolino, FIAT brings its unmistakable Italian design and iconic character into this fast-growing segment, offering a fresh, stylish alternative that reimagines urban and neighborhood mobility,” Francois adds. Well, that’s the hope. I’m concerned it’s too limited to replace many car sales and too expensive to be a popular micromobility option. I loved the vehicle and the idea, until I found out its range and legal driving limitations. Well, the company is at least clear about the market it is targeting: “Compact and unmistakably Italian, the Fiat Topolino is a low-speed electric vehicle designed for life beyond crowded streets — from coastal drives and resort communities to private neighborhoods. In the United States, for example, most golf cart owners purchase these vehicles for purposes far beyond the golf course, reflecting a broader demand for practical, everyday micromobility solutions that the current market has yet to fully address.” It is a golf cart alternative. Here are more details on the vehicle: “The offer includes two body styles, Topolino and Topolino Dolcevita. Exterior Features Verde Vita exterior color 14-inch wheels with vintage covers LED lamps Hinged opening windows Symmetrical body design Panoramic sunroof (Topolino) Roll-back soft-top (Topolino Dolcevita) Door rope (Topolino Dolcevita) Dolce Vita badging Interior Features Digital cluster Storage compartment / glove box Gear selector Luggage space Phone holder Bag hook Windshield defrost (Topolino) Powertrain and Performance 5.4-kWh lithium-ion battery Maximum speed: 19 mph *Topolino owners have ability to increase maximum speed to 25 mph to become street legal through installation of Low Speed Vehicle (LSV) conversion kit – by end of summer 2026 Range: up to 46 miles Full charge in approximately five hours (2.3 kW AC) Product Details Vehicle dimensions : 4’7’’ by 8’3’’ by 5’1’’ Weight: 1,073 lbs (Topolino)” So, who’s buying one?
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