It feels like it’s been ages since there was more than one model of Fiat on sale new in America. First, there was that stint when the only offering was the 500X. Next, there was that run when the only model available was the 500e. However, a second Fiat has crossed the Atlantic. It’s called the Topolino, it’s unbelievably cute, and we finally know what it costs.
Back up a second: What on Earth is a Topolino? Well, the name was originally associated with the mousey-looking 1936-through-1955 Fiat 500, but has since been applied to a more modern small, low-output machine. The Topolino we’re talking about here is a sibling to the Citroën Ami, a low-speed electric vehicle built in Morocco that serves as a cuter alternative to a golf cart.
We’re talking just eight horsepower here, and a standard top speed of a mere 19 MPH. Juice comes from a little 5.4 kWh lithium-ion battery pack, and the Topolino sports a modest range of 46 miles. Granted, there is a quicker version coming. Fiat’s planning to launch a street-legal kit this autumn that raises the top speed of the Topolino to a dashing 25 MPH. Enough to keep up with city traffic, but don’t you dare try to take one of these on the interstate.
While the Topolino normally features the exact same door assembly on either side of the vehicle, you can have Fiat leave them behind at the factory. Should you live in a particularly sunny locale, the marvellously camp Dolce Vita version swaps the doors for ropes and adds a canvas roof. Just enough elemental protection for a light shower, not quite enough for gale-force winds. Best of all, the beach car version doesn’t come at a premium. Both Topolino variants carry a sticker price of $14,985 including a $990 freight charge. Yep, essentially $15,000. However, in the world of golf carts, that’s surprisingly okay value.
Let’s say you want a two-seat Club Car with a comparable propulsion system. That would be the Club Car Onward 2 Passenger Li-ION XR, which starts at $14,099 before freight. For that money, you get a top speed of 19 MPH and comparable range to the Topolino, but you don’t get doors or side panels or rear panels. It’s also not exactly street-legal, but then again, neither are the earliest Topolinos at launch.
What about something more substantial? Say, a GEM e2. With street-legal tires, proper rollover protection, and a real windshield, it was arguably the most car-like of the golf cart crop before the Topolino came along. However, the GEM e2 starts at $15,240 before freight, and that doesn’t include doors.
As crazy as it sounds, the Fiat Topolino might actually be an alright deal. It’s priced competitively against similar golf carts while offering no-cost weather protection and a windscreen defroster. Sure, nigh-on $15,000 is still a lot of money to spend on something limited to roads with speed limits of 35 MPH or less, but it could steal some real sales in this sort of space. Of course, it’s no Changli, but then again, what is?
Top graphic image: Fiat
I suppose it’s an ok value for a new lsv. They tend to go for around $15k. Wink a Chinese panda car imported as a lsv claims $20k MSRP but had been discounted to $15k now apparently it’s $17k. But a gently used bev can be had $15k. A very used bev that can still go faster and longer has basics everything you expect from a car can be had for $3k or less. First gen leafs are definitely in that category along with various compliance evs. A used golf cart with LFP converts is maybe $1500 to $2k. The fiat might be more of fashion accessory then a deal.
Please excuse my vodka addled mind but shouldn’t this fisher price golf cart actually have room for say golf clubs? As a old guy I want my golf cart to have easy in/out and room for my golf clubs.
My golf cart was $1000 used. Does the same exact things as these. Pass. Give me 100 miles of range, 4 seats and AC for $15k and I’d be interested.
Wink is about there. They used to be $15k now $17k and have about 85 mi of range 4 doors and AC / heat.
I do not want 100 miles of range! At 20Mph I’d be ready to kill myself and everyone around me when I eventually get there.
It’s more the ability to do a few trips without charging than 100 miles straight. I usually only drive the cart less than 10 miles.
I wonder what the contents of the ‘street legal kit’ will be
With a top speed of 19-25mph, I can hit faster speeds on my bicycle.
And with a battery that small, you’ll be lucky to get 46 miles of range if you have the typical obese North American riding in it.
And if you throw in cold weather with the lights and heater on (does this thing have a heater?). You probably won’t even get 30 miles.
If this thing had a battery pack that was sized so that you got at least 100 miles of range while doing a 35mph top speed continuously with the lights and heater on, THAT would be a good deal for a city vehicle… and it would be something that would actually be useful to me as a 2nd vehicle for daily commuting.
In my estimation, this Topolino with a 20kWh pack would for US$15K would be a good deal.
But with just a 5.4kWH pack and the too-slow-even-for-city top speed, it’s crap.
Let’s also consider what else you can get for US$15K:
A low mileage 2020 Chevy BoltA low mileage 2020 Nissan Leaf PlusA really low mileage 2025 Nissan Leaf SA really low mileage 2023 Hyundai Kona EVhttps://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicle/783681778
And numerous other lightly used EVs that all have at least 4 times as much range, can be used on the highway and have way better features and performance.
I predict the the Topolino will be a complete flop in North America because it’s a lousy value.
The only reason the Topolino/Ami makes sense in the EU is because that vehicle fits into a class that enables younger people who don’t qualifiy for a regular drivers license to drive it.
That regulatory benefit probably won’t exist in most of North America.
And that will further contribute to it being a flop.
Edit: I suppose it could work in retirement communities that only allow golf carts or golf cart equivallents on their private roads. But how big is that market really?
165,000 for the Villages alone.
That is quite A Number.
Got it from Google.
Sorry, that sounded like I was questioning you. I was making a reference, obviously too oblique, to the old British TV show The Prisoner. It takes place in “The Village,” and a phrase from the main character (Number Six) in the first episode and then repeated in most off the credit sequences is “I am not a number, I am a free man!”
Ironically I saw the series. Hmm. Kinda reminds me of Shalet Suzette in Sebring, FL
These sorts of EVs are absolutely everywhere in Key West, owned by both locals and tourist rental businesses, at one time, the fleet was heavily Th!nks,now, its a lot of GEMs, Club Cars and MOKEs. These things will fit right in, within a year, probably every 3rd or 4th NEV on Duval Street will be a Topolino
I believe GEM is still the market leader, selling around 3,000-3,500 NEVs per year in the US, that’s the biggest brand, so that gives an idea of the sort of volumes Fiat can expect if they start picking away at some market share. Four digits are a good possibility, but not five unless they take over the whole market, which won’t happen without a back seat, at least
Any dense, warm weather areas where parking is at a premium and speed limits of 35mph or lower are typical, really.
As long as they have repair/maintenance/parts support. So I guess they will sell dozens
There’s lots of no-name Chinese low speed EVs filling the fleets at beach rental places all over, I don’t think the market much cares
My man you truly missed it. A typical obese American, you will have at least 2 obese Americans for golf 4 obese Americans if a community runner.
So what you’re saying is… it might run out of juise by hole 9 or 10? LOL
And even with the advantageous regs, I doubt they are big sellers here.
You are narrowing your view to private ownership. I can see legitimate fleet sales to companies that rent commuter vehicles in beach towns. The last time I was in South Padre, there were places at seemingly every corner that rented golf carts and/or Polaris Slingshots for puttering around the island that has a 25 mph top speed. That said, Fiat will need a Multipla version that can seat 4-6 to really capture such a market.
Also, around both my home and office, I see people using golf carts to get around the neighborhoods, e.g., taking kids to/from school, going to local parks etc. In fact the other day there was ~10 y.o. kid driving a golf cart in the neighborhood next to my office, presumably heading down to the local swimming hole.
I think the potential market is reasonably big. Not best selling car big, but enough to carve out a decent sized niche.
Dang, that’s too slow even for my short commute on neighborhood streets.
It’s cheaper than most side by sides and it’s road legal. That’s good enough.
Even just vaguely comparable in price to a Club Car? They’ll sell like hotcakes.
As a person familiar with the current golf cart scene they lease to golf courses and have a monthly maintenance visit. Anything with a problem is switched out with a different cart. I doubt this will crack the no maintenance program currently in place
This is going to do great in planned developments in FL.
So many will be stolen and stripped at The Villages.
Is there an off chance the Del Boca Vista HOA might look at the branding and misclassify it as a real car?
It’s no Cadillac!
Maybe in Del Boca Vista… Phase 2.
Surely they must be up to Phase 4 at least if they were already building 2 in the ’90s.
How I would love to live someplace where these would be perfectly fine to cruise around in.
Someplace like Barbuda, Palm Springs – or The Boroughs…
Venice Island, Florida aka CougarTown.
They cancelled Boroughs!!!! Was so good.
UGH!
This is why we can’t have nice things!
No slight on these cars, but I have to remind everyone how underrated walking is.
Come walk down the road where I live (no sidewalks) and I’ll check in with ya after 30 mins how that walking thing is going.
I love living more rural, but I very much miss living in town and biking places.
Biking would be damn near suicide where I live now.
These are a great option where infrastructure is pedestrian hostile and unlikely to change soon
Same in my area. I have a number of stores and banks within a mile radius – on 2 lane roads posted at 45 mph with no sidewalks and narrow shoulders. Walking/biking is suicide.
Meh. Too much work. 😉
I have a golf cart, walking is for the peons.
You also need to factor in the cost of replacing the clown car styling with the original Citroën panels.
I can’t wrap my mind on how much a golf cart costs. Compared to those I think I am for these little things. But how do I put a Rolls grill on it?
You purchase one with it already on.
https://www.centralgolfcars.com/product-page/1989-royal-ride-rolls-royce-resto-mod
Lund catalog?
I live in a 34 lot subdivision with private roads, and this would be perfect for going up to the highway with my trash, or going to the group mailboxes, or down to my creekside campsite! I assume I can charge it at home?
No, unfortunately, you’re going to need to ship it back to Italy for each and every charge.
COTD
whodathunk that this exchange would be a COTD!
Not me, but still happy to be part of it by being a sarcastic clown.
The European ones have a coiled cable in the passenger door jamb which ends in a. normal household plug.
If I got one, I would swap out the factory door ropes for these.
https://www.crowdcontrolwarehouse.com/products/heavy-duty-velour-velvet-hanging-ropes-for-stanchions
They will be the new opera windows
Costco will only sell them in pairs in really annoying blister packs.
Yeah, but, cheap hot dog…
Yeah, but, that cheap hot dog is good and comes with the drink! And quite frankly the cheap hot dog and soda combo is quite sadly or humorously, depending on point of view, more useful and desirable to me than this glorified golf cart Fiat. Even if it is adorable.
This would be great on Catalina Island (assuming you’re staying in Avalon)
I found my love in Avalon
Beside the bay.
I left my love in Avalon
And I sailed away.
I dream of her in Avalon
From dusk till dawn.
So I think I’ll travel on
To Avalon.
Man, that’s a real oldie. I’ll have it stuck in my brain the rest of the day now.
In Florida retirement communities, huge hit. It does lack the unwarranted machismo to be used in rural Midwest municipalities that allow golf carts, UTVs, and ATVs on the street, though. Unless, I guess, they make a version with a lift kit.
Our little town is known for its golf cart parades and general traveling about (Dunedin, FL). We had 150 carts for Gay Pride and a few hundred for the 4th of July. I could absolutely see buying one of these little cuties as a second vehicle.
Yeah, in places like that, it’d be like printing money. In nearby Chillicothe, IL? They’d have to put it on mud tires, give it a 2″ lift, and restyle it into a Jeep. And even then, the term “Barbie Jeep” would probably be used derisively.
A shame because I personally kinda like it. Is cute.
You might be a genius. If they actually sold a powerwheels “Barbie Jeep” special edition I think it may out sell the standard one.
Y’all got a really good ice cream place there.
And a zillion good restaurants.
Yep.
It’s adorable, and absolutely useless.
You don’t need to sell Jason on it. It’s quirky enough for him.
I literally don’t get who or where this is for. The Villages? That’s about all I got.
Yes, it is for retirement communities where people are spending $25,000 to $35,000 on golf cars.
I mean, it’s way cooler than a Golf Cart, that’s for sure. And that’s exactly what this is, a golf cart replacement for retirement/vacation communities with low speed roads, resorts, etc.
Personally, I dig it and at the very minimum grandma can’t do THAT much damage in one of these. Better than a Buick, I’d say.
Mopeds will be passing you
Unmotorized bicycles could pass you.
I could pass these, walking.
I routinely pass cars walking in NYC, and I’m 70. A couple of months ago I walked two blocks faster than a Lamborghini.
With my current daily driver, I don’t have to worry about traffic jams. When I need to bypass a traffic jam I can get in a bike lane. If there is no bike lane and I have to get on the sidewalk, no problem: I just turn the motors off and pedal it in that circumstance. When I want to fly down a state highway at 55+ mph, I can do that too.
It does 0-60 mph in under 9 seconds so far and can corner at over 1g lateral. Weighing all of about 90 lbs, it’s perfectly pedalable on disabled motors. Very happy I built it!
https://i.imgur.com/yECFq14.jpg
How did you insured it? It isn’t a bicycle, it isn’t a motorcycle or trike. It isn’t a car.
Uninsured.
In some states of the USA, if it doesn’t meet any of the motor vehicle definitions, and is still functional as a bicycle with a fully operable human-powered pedal drivetrain when the motor isn’t even in use, then legally, it’s a bicycle. At worst, it’s in a grey area. For states where it matters, I have Class 2 and Class 3 ebike modes as well.
I just raced a 1st gen Chrysler 300 today pulling from 30 mph, and we stayed even to about 60 mph. This thing rules!
That’s what I figured. I don’t know of any state where your first statement is true and a vehicle that can go 60 mph on electric power is considered a bicycle.
As for more traditional e-bikes, it is a mess. Not all states have adopted the 3 class systems and in some states the rules change based on city. A class 1 is the only type of ebike that can legally be ridden almost everywhere a traditional human powered bike can.
After wading through the rules looking at what bike to buy for the RV it looks like I’m limited to class 1 as I have too much to lose to mess around with uninsured vehicles. I’ve also personally been involved in a bicycle crash where I was found at fault and had to pay damages to the other party. (Well my insurance company did as it was a legal bicycle and I was insured)
That’s because you can see better than the driver.
I routinely overtake cars on my bike.
Ebikes will pass it.
Easily
Golf carts will pass it. My 90’s Club Car does 22 GPS verified.
Apart from Costco and occasional trips under the river to see family, this could have managed just about everywhere I went back when I was working. I need another job too much to be picky, but I really would like that kind of lifestyle again instead of driving out to the suburbs.
25mph isnt really all that useful in the city, mostly places have 25mph limits and most people do 35-40 anyway. You will get run over in that thing.
But you will look very chic while that happens, and that is 100% the reason to buy this. Canvas roof, love that suitcase holder which in reality is a picnic suitcase with a built in cooler for the wine? Campagnolo green and those little balcony ropes to hold onto when taking that turn at 18MPH.
Oh its definitely cool, who doesnt want a cool coffin?
These will be in every campsite in CA soon. Towed there by only the most chic Italian RV’s available. Wingamm Oasi Black.
Just gotta take those RAM letters off the grille.
Maserati Rick approved?
The color is properly “Celeste”
I will always call it Campagnolo as it was the color of my second coolest 10 speed. (Also akin to the Carabiniera Lancias in the 60’s and 70’s). Coming in at number one was my Gitane in orange