In the video presenting the test first drive, François takes viewers on board the New 500 la Prima, to be the first to experience FCA’s city car with zero CO2 emissions-in-use while passing the symbolic Turin locations synonymous with the Fiat icon over the last 63 years.
Olivier François said: “We usually take a new car onto the road for the first time with the cameras off. But for the New 500, I decided to take you with me! The first test drive of the New Fiat 500 is a very special moment, even a slightly magical one. A vision coming true. Teamwork taking shape. To tell the truth, it's also a very challenging time”.
The journey starts at the Mirafiori plant, where the New 500 is manufactured. In its 81 years, the Mirafiori complex has made history in the global automotive industry. Opened in 1939, the Turin plant marked the beginning of modern production for Fiat and is still one of the longest running automotive factories in Europe. A new chapter now begins with the production of the third-generation Fiat 500. The Group has transformed the site, starting right at the beating heart of the complex and its production. Around 1,200 people will work solely on manufacturing the New 500, with a production capacity of 80,000 units per year, which could increase as necessary. In total – between the costs of design, development and engineering and the construction of the production line – this represents an investment of over €700 million. Even better, the New 500 was created, designed and engineered right here in Turin: a product truly ‘Made at Fiat’ and ‘Made in Turin’.
Next up for New 500’s drive through Turin is Lingotto, the former Fiat factory with a track on its roof and the site of pre-delivery quality testing on the first-generation Fiat 500. The factory has now been converted into a museum, the home of the Pinacoteca Agnelli art gallery. Its fourth floor hosts the Virtual Casa 500, an online exhibition to preview the full opening to the public of the Casa 500 in spring 2021.
Olivier François' journey aboard the electric 500 then continues along the boulevards of the regional capital at the foot of the Alps and ends on the Monte dei Cappuccini, close to the city center, on the right bank of the river Po, with its breathtaking views of the city and the Alps. An amazing place to admire the clear blue sky of a gorgeous summer’s day.
“Since the end of lockdown, we have all learned to appreciate life in the great outdoors even more and the preciousness of the environment around us,” continued the head of Fiat. “Preserving that environment is up to us, too.”
Just more reasons to opt for the New 500: beautiful and innovative to meet the requirements of customers who wish to drive the car of the future, but with Italian style and elegance.
The New 500 special edition La Prima convertible and hatchback are both available to pre-order in the UK, priced at £29,000 on-the-road (OTR) and £29,995 (OTR) respectively, after Plug-in Car Grant (PiCG). Contact us for more information.