Fiat presents its Topolino, a 100% electric quadricycle accessible from the age of 14 with the AM license. The argus offers you a tour of the owner of this variant of the Citroën Ami in dolce vita mode. It is available in saloon and convertible versions from its launch scheduled for early 2024.
By
Gatien-Hugo Riposseau
Published on 04/07/2023 – 18:00
Updated 04/07/2023 – 20:30.
The argus goes around the owner of the new Fiat Topolino, the variant of the Citroën Ami in dolce vita mode.
The argus
Fiat has just presented its Topolino with great fanfare on July 4, 2023 in Turin alongside the new 600. It thus joins the family of quadricycles from the Stellantis group, already made up of the essential Citroën Ami and the Opel Rocks-e. Like its two cousins, the Topolino is fully electric, but it stands out with its deliciously retro look and livery. Will the little Italian manage to steal the show from the best-selling Citroën Ami? The argus invites you to discover in more detail this novelty which will reach the concessions in 2024.
A neo-retro look with a unique livery
The Fiat Topolino is based on the same technical basis as the Citroën Ami and Opel Rocks-e. On the other hand, it measures 2.53 m long, 1.40 m wide and 1.53 m high, which makes it the longest of the family, with an additional 12 cm. Propelled up to the regulation speed of 45 km/h by the same 6 kW (8.2 hp) electric motor, it offers an identical range of 75 km with its 5.5 kWh battery, rechargeable in 4 hours on a household outlet. If the technical characteristics of this Topolino in no way distinguish it from its French and German twins, it is thanks to its look that it stands out. Because, unlike its two competitors, it adopts a neo-retro design.
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The front of the Topolino, here in the sedan version, incorporates the headlights and small daytime running lights of the original Fiat 500.
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The front end of this Fiat Topolino is closely inspired by that of the original Fiat 500. It takes over the headlights and the round daytime running lights, positioned in the same place. The bulge that acts as a grille is smooth and simplified to the extreme, like the electric version of the modern 500. A simple gray strip at the bottom acts as a bumper on the bow as well as on the stern. The rear is a real cut-and-paste reduction of that of the new generation Fiat 500 with vertical rear lights with a simplified design. An old-fashioned metal-framed luggage rack completes this micro-car which, let’s face it, is not lacking in charm. Her Verde Vita color, the only one available in the catalog, also participates in this retro look which seems to have dictated the smallest details of its clean lines, right down to the design of its hubcaps.
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The rear meanwhile is an iteration of the modern Fiat 500 with its elongated taillights.
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Two versions available from launch
The Fiat Topolino has the good taste to be available from launch in saloon and convertible versions. A non-existent offer on the Opel Rocks-e and which can only be found on the margin on the Citroën Ami, which can only be discovered in its Buggy version limited to a handful of copies. What immediately catches the eye on the open-air version are the cords supposed to secure access to the vehicle, where the Ami Buggy opts for more traditional removable reinforcements. A detail taken from the famous beach car of the 1950s, the 500 Jolly, which has its effect, but which however hinders its use in rainy weather. The Topolino, on the other hand, adopts the same roll-up canvas system on the roof as the Ami Buggy. A solution as rudimentary as it is practical which corresponds perfectly to the philosophy of this quadricycle designed around the concept “less is more”.
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The convertible Fiat Topolino adopts the same roll-up canvas system on the roof as the Ami Buggy. Cords replace the doors here, as on the Fiat Jolly of the 1950s.
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The sedan version benefits from customizable doors thanks to wood effect stickers. But it is also possible to customize the open Topolino since stickers with stripes comparable to those of a summer tent can be positioned on the roof.
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The sedan version with doors should reassure occupants more.
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A refined interior and dedicated accessories
The interior of the Fiat Topolino is both simple and elegant. The seats are the same as on the Citroën Ami and Opel Rocks-e. Except that the seat and backrest cushions are cream-coloured, which gives them a welcome touch of refinement. This cream color is also found in the passenger compartment on the cap of the digital counter and on the “Dolce Vita Box”. This striped fabric storage box runs the full width of the dashboard and can accommodate small everyday items. The open version even offers the luxury of dressing its door sills with chrome elements badged “Dolce Vita”. An entire program !
If the size of this small quadricycle allows little storage, it is still possible to hang a bag on the dashboard in front of the passenger and put a small suitcase between the driver and passenger seats. In total, this Topolino claims 63 l of interior storage space, like its two cousins Ami and Rocks-e. To dress the interior of this Topolino, Fiat also offers five accessories : a travel bag, a USB fan, a Bluetooth speaker, a thermal bottle and two seat covers that transform into beach towels.
A microcar at the salty price?
The Fiat Topolino will be launched in France at the start of 2024, at prices to be unveiled next October. For now, Fiat has only announced that the sedan version will start under the €10,000 mark (€900 ecological bonus not deducted). But the price will be higher than that of the Citroën Ami, whose entry ticket is set at €7,990 (excluding bonuses). The Topolino is expensive for its refinement and neat design, especially in the convertible version. The price of the latter should also exceed the €10,490 required by the Ami Buggy.
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