Fiat 500 EV Complete Specifications

[Fiat500USA]

Fiat500USA.com Has Just Posted the Following:

Complete specs for 2022 Fiat 500 EV. Includes battery/vehicle range, performance, exterior dimensions and much more.*

New Fiat 500 EV GENERAL INFORMATION
Vehicle Type: A-segment hatchback/ Cabrio
Vehicle Class: Mini-compact
Assembly Plant: Mirafiori plant in Turin

New Fiat 500 EV BODY/CHASSIS
Layout: Front-wheel drive All Electric
Vehicle Construction Unitized: steel

Read more here...

[Hermiabarth]

Drum brakes in the rear - in 2022? That's disappointing... I assume there is some kind of regenerative braking system on the front wheels?

[Fiat500USA]

Drum brakes in the rear - in 2022? That's disappointing... I assume there is some kind of regenerative braking system on the front wheels?

I saw that and was also surprised. Especially since Fiat used 4-wheel disc brakes on their 124 series back in 1966. However, Italian cars traditionally have great brakes, so whatever system they use typically works very well. There is also an opinion around that rear disc brakes can be more of a marketing tool than a requirement on everyday cars, too. It would be interesting to find the rational behind the rear drums.

[map]

Like any design, it's an engineering choice and rear drums have some advantages.

Disc brakes dissipate heat better so are ideal when brake heat fade can be expected. They can be lighter and, with power assist, can brake shorter. They are less affected by wet weather (dry off quicker). Their disadvantage is they don't work well as a parking brake. They tend to expand when hot and will not grip as well once they cool. They also tend to be more inclinded to stick and/or rust when parked wet. There are times I feel the hill hold on my 500 let go but the brake still holds on my driveway's slope... something that doesn't happen with drums.

Drum brakes work better when power assist is not available. Their design muliplies the force applied and they work better as a parking brake. In most cases they work better than discs of the 70's; better materials. They also have more friction material area so can last longer.

In this case the choice would make sense. The 500e has a "one foot" driving mode option that uses regen to do all your braking (auto-applies friction only in the last few feet). Discs on the back of a 500 (with the exception of the Abarths) were more of a fashion statement than a real need. The 500's disc emergency brake added complication and expense not necessary for most drivers. More so for an EV.

[mp4guy]

Abarth version confirmed by management today. Will be re-engineered to make it a "real" Abarth.

About the rear drums. I didn't think there was any cost savings to be had from them anymore, but no, you don't need them. The forward weight shift on hard braking reduces rear brake effectiveness to the point where they just don't play that big a role in stopping the car. Of course, if you have a mid engined car, that calculus may not work. But on these roller skates, no.

[ahmetvedat]

Abarth version confirmed by management today. Will be re-engineered to make it a "real" Abarth.

About the rear drums. I didn't think there was any cost savings to be had from them anymore, but no, you don't need them. The forward weight shift on hard braking reduces rear brake effectiveness to the point where they just don't play that big a role in stopping the car. Of course, if you have a mid engined car, that calculus may not work. But on these roller skates, no.

exactly..