According to a report on Automotive News Europe, the Fiat Topolino name will be revived, but the car destined to wear this nameplate is a far cry from the 1930s iconic design. Instead, Fiat plans on selling a version of the Citroen Ami electric quadricycle as the Topolino for the 21st century.
The report states that select Fiat dealers in Italy have already seen the Ami wearing the Fiat badge ahead of a 2023 market launch. This will be the third badge seen on the Ami as Stellantis group company Opel sells a version called the Rocks-e.
Fiat Topolino Design
In 2022, Stellantis plans on making 15,000 units of the Citroen Ami and 5,000 units of the Opel Rocks-e. Image – Stellantis
As far as the design is concerned, the Fiat Topolino should look identical to the Ami save for the Fiat badges and minor changes to select body parts, as seen in our artist’s rendering. Automotive News quotes one dealer saying the Topolino looks “more refined” than the Ami.
In addition, Fiat would also offer a variant with a canvas roof, which would be a fitting tribute to the name since the original Topolino had the option of a convertible with a canvas roof too. This has been represented in our rendering.
Opel and Citroen offer passenger and cargo variants of the Rocks-e and Ami, which could be followed by Fiat for the Topolino. The My Ami Buggy Concept is still a distant dream for the electric off-road enthusiast, which was shown last year as a rugged, off-road compact electric quadricycle.
Interior & Features
As per current regulations, the Ami can be driven from ages 14 and up in France and from ages 16 and up in other European countries. Image – Stellantis
The Topolino is expected to mirror its sibling, save for the interior badging, floor mats, and maybe body-colored coordinated plastic trim. Citroen boasts that the Ami features a ride height comparable to other cars despite its compact size. The passenger variant has two seats, which reduces to one in the cargo variant. The passenger cabin is heated in both versions.
Users can store a small bag ahead of the passenger’s foot on the passenger variant. On the cargo variant, the passenger seat makes way for a 260 liter (9.1 cu. ft) compartment. Other features include a panoramic roof, a USB port, and the MyCitroen app, which gives out data such as available range, mileage, time remaining for a 100 percent recharge, and maintenance alerts on the user’s phone. Expect these features to be available in the Electric Fiat Topolino.
Every part on the Ami is 100 percent recyclable, aside from the battery, which is 85 percent recyclable.
Fiat Topolino Specifications (expected)
AspectFigureLength 94.48 inchesWidth54.72 inchesHeight59.84 inchesTurning Diameter23.6 ftWeight1,069.24 lbsBattery Capacity5.5 kWhCharging Time3 hoursPower6 kWTop Speed28 mphRange47 milesPrice (In France)Around 6,000 EUR ($6,525)
Specifications of the Citroen Ami are used only as a representation.
Price & Release Date
We should receive an announcement from Fiat in the second half of the year regarding the launch and availability of the Topolino. Initially, the Topolino could launch in markets that the Ami already serves and those where Fiat has a stronghold, and the price would be in the vicinity of 6,000 EUR.
Fiat Topolino in the U.S.?
Last year, a mobility services company of Stellantis called Free2Move said that they would bring the Citroen Ami to the United States as part of their ride rental and sharing services. The company has already added the electric quadricycle to its fleet in several European cities, including Madrid.
With 47 miles of range, the cargo variant of the Topolino could probably be used by food/grocery delivery aggregators in urban locations in the United States. Image – Stellantis
In January, Citroen showcased the Ami at the CES 2022 (Consumer Electronics Show 2022) in Las Vegas. The Ami is certainly establishing its reputation as an inexpensive solution for individual use and bringing down carbon emissions.
That neatly brings us to whether the future Fiat Topolino would be considered for the United States. The Topolino name is also familiar to Americans. Either well-maintained examples fetch around $20,000, or enthusiasts modify old Topolinos in tune with the hot-rod culture.
In addition, Fiat has a history in the country, and it has also sold ‘fun’ and youthful cars like the 500 series. This could be a perfect opportunity for Stellantis to leverage those aspects of the brand and offer the Topolino to young Americans living in busy cities looking for a safer alternative to a scooter.
Featured Image – TopElectricSUV’s render of the Fiat Topolino
Keyword: Fiat Topolino Electric (2023): Everything we know