AD&P; > June 2013 > FEATURE > Five Things About the Fiat 500e > Gary S. Vasilash > gsv@autofeldguide.com
5
Yes, There's an
App For That.
The 500e has a built-in
3G modem and the car comes
with three years of wireless
connectivity. Which means that
when the 500e smartphone app
is downloaded, real-time vehicle
information can be accessed.
Screens like the instrument
cluster can be called up. There
is charge-status updates if the
vehicle is being charged. There
is the ability to schedule charge
time to coincide with periods
when electricity costs are lowest.
Drivers can pre-condition the
vehicle environment: while the car
is plugged in it is possible to turn
on the HVAC system so that the
temperature is comfortable and the
energy used to make it so doesn't
come from the battery.
4
Knowing How You're Doing.
The 500e has a 108 MPGe rating and an estimated combined
87 miles of city/highway driving. But, of course, drivers want
to know that they have a sufcient amount of charge to get where they
are going. So right in the center of the instrument cluster is a 7-in. thinflm transistor display that provides information regarding the driving
range and the state of charge of the vehicle. There is no "eco" button
on the vehicle; Matt Davis, head of Fiat Brand product marketing, says
they didn't want to "sacrifce the brand image," which is about fun more
than frugality. The "eco" on the right side of the gauge is an indicator
of whether power is being used or a change is being gained through
regenerative braking. Also providing information about where one can go
is the TomTom navigation system that shows the vehicle range as well as
charging stations within the travel area.
50