Italian car-maker to lighten up and no longer allow owners to choose dull grey, despite its enduring popularity
Fiat has announced it is phasing out the option of being able to order your car in a dull grey hue in its bid to re-establish itself as the “Brand of Colours”.
Announcing it has stopped producing grey cars with immediate effect, the decision to drop the option of grey paint is said to coincide with the launch of the all-new 2024 Fiat 600e on July 4.
From now on, Fiat says it wants to offer its customers a palette that is inspired by the Italian sea, sun, earth and sky.
Currently, the Fiat 500e, 500 Hybrid, 500X and the European-only Panda and Tipo are offered in 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.
The move to drop grey could prove controversial as in markets like the UK where it remains hugely popular, accounting for one in every four cars sold across all brands in 2022.
It’s also hugely popular in Australia, where carsales data has placed it as the second most popular colour (after white) for new and near-new dealer demo cars, and among the top three for used cars.
Already uncovered ahead of its July debut, we already know much about the incoming Fiat 600 small SUV.
Developed alongside the Jeep Avenger, the EV replacement for the Fiat 500X – previously available in Art Grey, Argento Grey and Fashion Grey – is based on the same Stellantis e-CMP2 architecture.
Fiat 600e shares a variety of styling cues with the Fiat 500e micro-hatch, including its headlight design and honeycomb grille treatment.
We’re still to get a full look at the 600e inside, with only a quick glimpse provided of the new fully digital instrument cluster and a large centrally mounted infotainment screen that looks shared with the Fiat 500e hatch and is expected to provide wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Sharing the Jeep Avenger’s powertrain, expect the Fiat 600e to come with a 51kWh (usable) lithium-ion battery that will provide for a WLTP-verified range of more than 400km. Charging speed should be up to 100kW.
Driving the Fiat 600e will be a single electric motor that is expected to produce 115kW and 260Nm of torque, providing for a 0-100km/h dash in around 9.0 seconds.
As well as the zero-emissions 600e, Fiat is also expected to produce a combustion version of the new compact SUV that will be badged the Fiat 600. That compact SUV will be powered by a turbocharged 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol engine.
Fiat is still to announce an Australian launch schedule for the 600 and 600e, but expect it to head Down Under after the first wave in European orders.
Join the conversation at our Facebook page Or email us at [email protected]
Keyword: Fiat stops producing grey-coloured cars