Fiat Topolino Resurrects as a Fully-Electric Quadricycle
Known as the Topolino, the tiny Fiat quadricycle isn't an unknown product in the automotive fold; it was a name used to call the first-ever Fiat 500, built from 1936 to 1955.
Because it was one of the world's tiniest cars then, the name Topolino means 'little mouse' in Italian and served as a practical solution for Europe's cramped and narrow city streets.
Initial models of the Topolino used a small 569 cc 4-cylinder water-cooled engine bolstered on the front axle and a radiator mounted behind the engine. Besides having only 9 kW and an 85 km/h top speed, the Topolino made a capable runaround quadricycle.
Unfortunately, the nameplate didn't make it to other models. Instead, it was replaced by the Fiat 500 moniker still in place today.
As electrification becomes a serious topic of discussion at Fiat, the Italian marque has now revived the nameplate with the reveal of the modernised Topolino quadricycle, which it says will push the EV envelope even further across the globe.
The fully-adorable Topolino is an answer to the Citroen Ami, which it is based on. While Fiat hasn't released official specifications, it could use the Ami's 6 kW electric motor that is fed power via a 5.5 kWh battery pack good for up to 75 km of driving range and a top speed that kicks in at 48 km/h.
While Fiat SA says the Topolino's arrival here is doubtful due to consumers preferring the bigger 500, we firmly believe it could change the whole EV game by being a low-cost option for those looking for a mobility solution to zip around cities.
But then again, the lack of government support and the state of our electricity infrastructure keep discouraging manufacturers from investing in EVs locally.
