The Fiat Topolino is a cute little electric runabout with no doors and a fabric top that can be folded down. Even though the new Topolino looks more like the Fiat Jolly beach cars from the 1960s than the Fiat 500 from 1936, which is where the name “Topolino” comes from. The Topolino, based on the Citroen Ami, is predicted to have an electric range of 47 miles and a peak speed of under 28 mph. Fiat is bringing back the old Topolino name for its newest electric city car, and as you might expect, the result is beautiful. The Topolino, based on the Citroen Ami and a two-seater box that will go into production in 2020, brings back the “little mouse” nickname that was given to the first Fiat 500, which was made from 1936 to 1955. Fiat has shown one picture of the updated Topolino. It is a beautiful seafoam green colour. The Topolino and its sister, the Ami, are legal European quadricycles. Some countries allow unlicensed driving, so calling the happy little bubble a “car” is generous. The front of the Topolino is very different from the front of the Ami. It has a softer look, silver trim resembling an old bumper, and silver circles around the headlights. The new Topolino, named after the original 500, looks a lot like the beach-going Jollys common in touristy coastal areas. Instead of doors, it has a rope barrier in front of it, like what you might see at the front of a line for a ride at an amusement park. The Topolino has stripes on the dash, white wheels that look like they’re from the 1950s, and what looks like a canvas convertible top. Fiat hasn’t said much about the Topolino’s engine, but it’s likely like the one in the Ami, which has a 5.5-kWh battery and an 8-hp electric motor that drives the front wheels. The Ami can go as fast as just under 28 miles per hour and has a range of 47 kilometres. The Topolino should sell similarly; it will do well in towns near the Mediterranean Sea. The Topolino must be more significant to be practical in America, so it may only be sold in Europe.
