In the Stellantis Group, Fiat occupies of course a very important place, and therefore we made this interview about its future plans at the recently held press conference… Just read on!

HKTB: I propose to start this interview with the LCV market, which is very important for Fiat.

AP: Indeed, it is very important, and we have even reserved a specific brand for it, Fiat Professional. This means that we have also a dedicated network for this brand. Indeed, we have dealers who sell exclusively commercial vehicles. This means that they offer a service which is fully tailored to the needs of a professional client. For him, our vehicles are an instrument for his job, and so his needs are for example different time schedules for service and maintenance, and sometimes also assistance on Saturdays too.

Fiat has fully renewed its LCV range…

HKTB: I assisted a few years ago at the launch of the first electric Ducato…

AP: Indeed, this was the first phase in the electrification of our LCV range. Now we have a new Ducato which has been designed from the ground up for BEV use. This Ducato has an attractive range of some 400 kilometers. But the use of a fully dedicated BEV platform enabled us also to be more cost effective and reduce the price by not less than 25 pct and meet the needs of our professional clientele by offering multiple load and bodywork configurations.

HKTB: When we come back to the passenger cars, the new 600 will also be very important to introduce electrified and BEV mobility to a wider public?

AP: Our most important BEV car for the moment remains the 500. The latest generation of our iconic 500 is exclusively BEV, whereas the previous generation is still produced and offered in hybrid form.  It is very important to note that our most popular and important car is now BEV only, not many mainstream manufacturers are doing this!

AP: This goes of course also for the Belgian market: the new 500 is exclusively electric. Now we come to the 600. This is a segment B car, and everybody knows that in this segment, a big share of the volume is still consisting of IC or “thermal” cars, let’s say that of the approximately 130,000 cars sold in this segment, only 7,000 are electric.

This is why we decided to offer the 600 also in hybrid form, besides the BEV version. Its hybrid drivetrain allows you still to drive on E-power in town for some 50 % of jour journey. The first hybrid cars will be available to the public around mid summer. This car will be available at a price around 24.000 Euros, which is quite attractive.

HKTB: Finally we have also Abarth. Being an engineer, this brand will certainly passionate you…I still remember the bialbero’s, the 850 TC’s… 

AP: Indeed, as soon as you sit behind the wheel of an Abarth, you feel younger and invigorated… it gives you energy, even if you drive only at a speed of 30 km/h! There is this unique spirit…

HKTB: How do you see the energy transition for the “Abartisti”?

AP: We have already an electric version of the 500, and we will continue along this path. I understand that many enthusiasts of the brand are still somewhat skeptical, but even if you want a sporting car, its electrification is inevitable. I can assure them that they will find a car which is responsive, handles beautifully, will be full of character.

In the new 600 Abarth which will be launched this year, they will find all these unique qualities too. I cannot give more details at this moment, just that this car will be powerful with 240 HP… But in looks, feel and touch, it will be very much a pur sang and sporting automobile. The car is not only developed by Abarth, but also by the people of Stellantis motorsport.

HKTB: Will it be a car for the engaging, sporting driver, will it have performance controls like a formel E racing car, so the expert and talented driver can increase the handling and outright power of the car?

AP: I cannot give you any more details of the car at this moment, except that it will be very powerful, with 240 HP…

HKTB: I thank you very much for this interview!

Hans Knol ten Bensel