Fiat has revealed its new Topolino - a Citroen Ami-based quadricycle named after the massively popular city car produced by the Italian company from 1936 to 1955.
With its latest offering, Fiat is aiming to lean into its past to appeal to new customers, as it hopes to "bring all the optimism of its namesake to an accessible, all-electric version that encapsulates all the coolness of the Fiat 500."
The new car is intended to appeal to a wide audience, Fiat describing it as a "new electric mobility device," that has been designed for "the youngest customers, families and city lovers," and is "fit for every generation."
Roll-back fabric roof
Attempts have been made to align the Topolino with Fiats of the past - for example, the small, rounded headlights and a silver strip near the bottom of the nose, echoing the looks of the first-generation 500.
It also features a fabric roof that can be rolled back, and open sides with lengths of rope in place of the doors, referencing the Ghia-built 500 Jolly of 1958.
Electric power
No details are known yet about which powertrain the car will use, though the mechanically identical Citroen Ami is fitted with a 5.5kWh battery enabling a range of up to 75km, and a top speed of 45km/h.
Aiming to "make young people fall in love with cars again," Fiat is hoping that the Topolino "will play a socially active role in promoting electric mobility in cities," and create "a personal mobility solution for the entire family."
Fiat's electric future
In line with Fiat's ambition to have a fully electrified line-up by 2027, the Topolino will only be offered with electric power. Fiat has described the launch of the car as "yet another step in the brand's push towards electrification."
Fiat CEO Olivier Francois outlined his company's goal last year: "Our journey toward sustainable mobility for all continues, with the aim to launch a new vehicle every year, starting as soon as in 2023. Each model will have an electric motor."
Fiat's first steps towards electrification began with the release of the hybrid 500 and Panda before the company launched its first fully electric car, the 500. The company then announced the launch of two new hybrid cars last year - the Tipo and 500X.
Fiat Ireland has yet to decide on whether to offer the Topolino for sale here.