All-new electric 2020 Fiat 500e makes debut

Images of the all-new 2020 Fiat 500e have surfaced ahead of its reveal on March 3.

Originally, the pure-electric Fiat 500e was due to make its debut at the Geneva motor show but following its cancellation in the wake of the Coronavirus, the Italian car site

Created to rival both the upcoming MINI Electric and the Honda e that's not available in Australia, the Fiat 500e appears to be an evolution of the existing model's design at first glance, despite being unlikely to share a single screw with the car it replaces.

Look closer and up front there are significant changes with a pair of oval-shaped headlights and driving lights in place of the old car's circular items. Curiously, instead of a traditional 'Fiat' emblem, the small supermini sports a large '500' tag.

The lower bumper, meanwhile, looks like it features a central air intake flanked by two air curtains – hinting at drag-reducing aero aids to boost the electric 500e's range.

At the rear, as we already saw in a recent spy shot, the 500e gets a pair of chunkier tail-lights, a redesigned boot lid and bumper and an almost identical retractable canvas roof to the previous 500C.

But the new car shuns the old 500's chrome brightwork, preferring a more modern look.

Inside, it's clear Fiat hopes to position the new 500e further upmarket, with a classier cabin, large landscape-mounted infotainment screen and full digital instrument cluster all present and correct.

The look, fit and finish all seem to be improved too, with clean surfacing and minimalism ruling the design.

Curiously, again, there's no sign of any Fiat-badging inside the cabin, hinting that the famous Italian car-maker might be attempting to launch the 500 as a new premium small car sub-brand.

Sadly, there are no more details on what will power the 500e -- but all will be revealed overnight following its official unveiling.

We expect a range of up to 300km and sprightly performance when the Fiat 500e arrives in European showrooms this summer.

However, there's no word on if or when the 500e is destined to land in Australia.