Amid the roar of big engines Chrysler V – 8, push the button that connects the Fiat 500e. Shows only a beep and then it slips silently by Chelsea proving ground in the U.S. state of Michigan, about 90 miles from Detroit. At first there is a strange feeling, almost of inferiority, by rotating with an ” appliance ” among many drinkers oil well to American fashion, front engine, rear wheel drive … On the other hand, it is necessary to recognize that the purchase of Chrysler by Fiat produced a really diverse family of vehicles in the U.S.A and U.A.E , the little Fiat 500 electric to the Dodge Challenger SRT, with its huge V – 8 of 6.4 liters and 470 hp.
And now in July, the 500 Electric made its world premiere exclusive sales on ecological California. Who loves a good burner gasoline engine may not care , but recent news realize that all production of the Fiat 500e is already sold by the end of the year in California Orders only to 2014. After a brief explanation of an engineer – drive an electric car really is a little different – we go to the test tracks with the score of “fuel ” , say the batteries , indicating 70 % load . There are 97 cell lithium ion totaling 24 kW · h, 364 volts, plus an auxiliary battery for accessories, 12 V and 500 A · h.
Even being heavier than a standard 500, the electric Fiat accelerates fast and quiet with your 1355 kg. Despite the greater weight, the feeling when driving is very similar to a normal 500: an agile, stable and enjoyable to drive the cart. The 500 electric reaches 100 km / h in about 10 if only hear a slight hiss from the electric motor when accelerating. To alert pedestrians, you can connect an external noise that mimics the sound of a conventional car and runs up to 32 km / h.
In favor of autonomy exist various aerodynamic features (such as spoilers), rolling tires (rim 15) and the top speed is limited to only 137 km / h. Thus, it can run up to over 160 km in the city and at least 130 km on roads and cities, according to Fiat. The equivalent power on “horses” is 111 hp.
Charming interior, with every line in the Cinquecento
The stability comes even better than the 500 ” normal” , since the electric motor , batteries and dozens of other equipment is below the center of gravity of the 500 standard , forming a great ” ballast ” close to the ground . The weight distribution (57 % front and 43% rear) also explains the good dynamic behavior.
Urban autonomy up to 160 km, according to Fiat
Apart from getting used to the silence on board (one can only hear the tires on asphalt), was also surprised by the absence of change gears. At first, we expected a small jolt when enter a “second gear” which does not exist. As the electric motor has a wide speed range, the “Exchange “Fiat has one gear and accelerates with the same joy at any speed. Unlike conventional engines, the torque (20.4 kgf · m) is constant at any RPM or speed.
Direct attention to marker consumption of electricity and do not allow the red range. Always stay green and blue. Downhill, take your foot off the accelerator, the batteries will be recharged.
At the end of the tests in Chelsea, the marker indicating 20% loading, the road wheel is no more than 140 kilometers without recharging
The battery recharging occurs with greater intensity during braking. Driving more ecologically descent marker of 30% to 20 % was much slower. To recharge, it’s enough to recharge for four hours by attaching to a socket of 220/240 volts. Already in 110/120 volts, charging is much slower, almost 24 hours.
California was chosen to debut the 500e for having tax ( and part of the cost of electric car subsidized by the government ) incentives , plus an extensive network of over 1,000 points of recharging the lithium ion batteries in stores , malls , parking lots public and stadiums . In some places charging is free; in others it pays at most $ 2 per hour. And to find a “made public” just use the GPS (Tom-tom brand) plush and equipped cart, pointing local recharge. This helps decrease anxiety “autonomy” which, according to Americans, affects the owners of purely electric cars.
Where Wally is: discover the 500 between the biggies Chrysler
The Fiat – Chrysler estimates that the cost per mile with the 500e is a maximum of 20 % compared to what was spend on gasoline. In addition to the full panel of different markers are externally differences to the front and rear bars, besides the logo 500e.
To the delight of the Bob Sharp, there is even a ‘ smoker pack, “which includes a lighter and ashtray. Only it is not advisable to use the cigarette lighter too, since it reduces the autonomy!
In California, the 500e already has guaranteed sales by the end of the year
Even with a lot of government incentives, this Fiat is not cheap in the U.S.: costs U.S. $ 32,600. But there is a plan by which leasing pays only $ 200 a month, quite affordable to stay trendy in California. Unlike the former Governor Schwarzenegger, who loved a huge guzzler Hummer and the chic is coming up with a small, eco electric Fiat.
Even with incentives, the price goes from $ 30,000
Without the incentives, the price would be very high, certainly higher than the R $ 100 thousand.
