#Fiat 500e Convertible

[carsthatnevermadeitetc]

Fiat 500e Gelateria Edition, 2023. A one-off 500e Convertible adapted as a mobile ice-cream vendor. Frozen gelato trays are mounted above a bespoke cabinet containing dual battery-powered freezers storing up to 30 litres of gelato – enough to serve approximately 300 people per day – as well as additional accessories such as cones, tubs and spoons. 

[lupincentral]

Check out this amazing new PART 6 themed key artwork for an ongoing Fiat 500 x Lupin III cross-over collaboration in Japan!

The artwork, which features character designs by Hirotaka Marufuji, includes three different models of the most recent line of vehicles - the Fiat 500, the Fiat 500e, and the Fiat 600e. It's fun to see the characters riding around in a more recent model, after we're so used to seeing them in the classic car! I wonder what both Lupin and Jigen would think of the newer electric model…?

The first part of the campaign itself allows fans to enter a competition in which they can win their own personal Fiat 500 / Fiat 500c, which has been decked out with Lupin themed stickers, coasters, decals, and more. There's also a 1/24 scale model of Lupin's yellow 1995 Fiat bundled in for good measure, too (also available from your local Japanese Fiat dealership).

The estimated price of the car is between ¥2,590,000 〜 ¥3,440,000, depending on which version you go for (the 500c is a convertible variant of the regular 500).

The website (linked below) also showcases three original short stories, which will be uploaded sequentially (at time of writing, only the first has been uploaded - and it features Lupin and the gang infiltrating the Magnifico Museum to steal a priceless jewel named the Venus)! Clear cases based around classic Lupin television series can also be won as part of a separate contest, which you can also enter via the website.

More details:

[newluddite]

More trouble in Electricarification land.

A recent news item was for a new electric car that had a small dent. The dent was in the underside probably from running over something on the road. A stick, or maybe a rock, but nothing crazy.

The repair was $60,000 or way more than the car cost new. Why?

The dent was on a cover over the battery pack. If a battery pack is damaged it can fail spectacularly. Flames and explosions type of spectacular. So this not unusual event totaled the car. It is now junk.

The problem is you cannot fix or replace electric car batteries. They wear out, and should be replaceable, but no you cant. Most are buried deep inside the bottom of the car and to get to them you need to disassemble the car down to the frame. Some "converted" cars can get at them from below like the short lived Fiat 500e. Cars designed for electric power like to hide the batteries deep inside.

There is a safety aspect in that batteries need protection from impact as a serious crash can make them explode. They are much worse than a leaking tank of gasoline. Wrapping a protecting frame and armor plates around them makes it hard to access them if you need to.

These batteries have a short life. My evil (small) gas powered car is 8 years old. If it were electric the battery would likely need to be replaced now as it would have less than half the original capacity. Since you can't replace one the car would be trash. It is a good business model you have to buy a new car every 5 to 8 years or even more often. Lucky for me I can drive it for years to come as long as there is fuel which there will be for the foreseeable future.

No manufacturer has any recycling or refurbishing programs for electric car main batteries.

There is an obvious solution. Standardize battery packs into simple modules that bolt in from below. When they age out replace them with fresh and send the old ones for refurbishment.

So governments should not just say build electric cars. They should require manufacturers to:

Establish standard modular battery packs for all cars. There can be many types, but all must fit one of several agreed upon standard module specifications.

The battery packs shall be removable from below with common shop tools in a reasonable time.

The manufacturer shall only use batteries that can be refurbished and recycled.

Refurbished battery packs shall perform as good as new ones so an older electric car can stay on the road long enough to pay off the environmental impact from making it.

Add that to the list of things they didn't think about like the fact there is not enough electric generating capacity to fuel a full fleet of electric cars. Care to buy a Nuclear power plant or ten?

[snapzuplaces]

Fiat announced plans to stop selling the 500 in the United States after the 2019 model year. The decision applies to the hardtop, the convertible 500C, the electric 500E, and the high-performance Abarth model. The 500 was never a big seller in America, but it outperformed the rest of the Fiat range. via Snapzu : Places, Culture & Travel

[daily-revs]

2023 Fiat Abarth 500e Turismo Convertible | DailyRevs

#fiat#abarth#500eAbarth

[iamspeedrunner]

2021 Fiat 500e Electric City Car Gets Its Hard Top On - Fiat is about to expand the 500e family with the addition of the closed-top hatchback which was already spied on the road not long ago hiding the few changes it has over the faux-convertible underneath a lot of camouflage. Peel the synthetic skin off and you will find the same styling as the 500e Convertible after all it is the same car. The only differences are the addition of a rear wing and an antenna that rests on the fixed roof. Co... by @iamspeedrunner. Also, check out https://www.iamspeedrunner.com

[theautomotive01]

Can Electric Cars Be Better Than Gasoline Cars?

Electric cars are very similar to gasoline car but the major difference is an electric motor and generation of power. Electric cars have an internal-combustion engine and they have started gaining more popularity with the improvements in battery storage.

Some cars are known as hybrids and they work on battery and petrol. It is also possible that we convert our existing cars into electric cars.

Without a vehicle, people cannot travel to places like work, school and shopping centers in today’s world. The prices of petrol are catching the sky everywhere, many people are looking for alternative solutions for this and the perfect solution is an electric-powered car.

Speed

Many people think electric cars are slow, but this is not the right statement about electric vehicles. Many of the electric cars have broken the records in speed and distance. The high-quality batteries in these cars enable them to drive up to around 400 miles on a single charge. Earlier, the batteries were only capable of around 160 miles.

Benefits of an EV

There are many advantages to maintain an electric car.

Firstly, consumers will save a lot of money on fuel costs. In today’s economy, this is a good attractive feature.

Electric cars do not produce smoke that regular cars do, these cars are safer for the environment than petrol vehicles.

Secondly, using electric cars, the government will offer consumers tax credits for driving them.

Why one should consider electric cars over gasoline cars?

These cars will save drivers a lot of money on petrol costs. They do not harm the environment as do petrol cars and thus making them an excellent way to travel.

List of some electric cars in the USA are:

Nissan leaf

BMW i3

Fiat 500e

Kia Niro

Tesla Model S

Toyota Prius

Chevrolet Volt

Source: https://cardealershipdirectory.com/can-electric-cars-be-better-than-gasoline-cars/

[perksofwifi]

Maserati Electric Cars to Take on Tesla, Alfa Romeo to Be Scaled Back

Alfa Romeo, Maserati, and Fiat need help. That is not new. The late Sergio Marchionne, when he was CEO of FCA, lamented these brands were not performing close to the lofty goals he set for them. His successor, FCA CEO Mike Manley, made similar noises today in a call with investors to discuss third-quarter earnings.

The difference is this conference call comes a day after FCA and PSA announced plans to merge. And the brands most likely to be impacted are Alfa Romeo, Maserati, and Fiat.

Manley said he would not elaborate much about the deal that came together quickly because the two companies know each other well. He did say the agreement, which will take a while to formalize, brings together two strong complementary businesses with significant potential for value to be released. And the move is consistent with what Marchionne said in the final years of his life: that mergers are needed for a strong auto industry.

Manley said in his 15 months in the top job, Maserati is better but there is still work to be done. To get the Italian luxury brand back on track, he has changed the leadership and reduced inventory by 7,000 units this year, deciding it was worth a $50 million loss to bring stocks in line. Restructuring of the brand should be complete by the end of the year so it can start making money again in 2020.

Maserati Alfieri concept

The entire product portfolio will be renewed by 2023, and electrification will be a hallmark of the brand. A Ghibli hybrid starts the motor running next year, followed by the first new addition to the lineup: the Alfieri sports car due in late 2020. The coupe will be followed by a convertible in 2021. The Alfieri will be available as a plug-in hybrid or full battery electric car. That will be the pivot point for Maserati to enter the electric world; from then on all future Maseratis will have a full battery electric option.

That includes an electric Levante crossover to take on Tesla, as well as a plug-in hybrid. And there will be a smaller SUV that slots below the Levante. The Quattroporte will also get motors and batteries.

  Manley may have inherited a weak Maserati brand, but with restructuring of leadership and inventory, and a new lineup in the works, “I’m excited by plans for Maserati,” he said.

The other disappointment is Alfa Romeo which will see its wings clipped. “In the near term, the new portfolio for the brand is significantly scaled back with a corresponding reduction in capital spending,” Manley said.

It means continuation of the Giulia and Stelvio and the addition of two more crossovers. The Alfa Romeo Tonale compact crossover concept from the 2019 Geneva auto show will be on display this month at the L.A. auto show. This gorgeous concept looks production ready and would be a welcome addition to the lineup. But previous plans for more sedans and sports cars have been shelved.

Alfa Romeo Tonale concept

As FCA and PSA look at potential synergies, the new automaker will choose the best platforms for use going forward. The Giorgio rear-wheel-drive platform has done a good job underpinning the Alfa Romeo Giulia and Stelvio, Manley said. It was designed to sustain electrification and the complexity of future infotainment systems. As one of the few rear-drive platforms, there is a good chance it will continue, Manley said.

The Fiat brand will focus on products and regions that were successful in the past. That means emphasis on Europe and on B-segment cars, cutting back on A-segment small vehicles. And no new products are planned at this point. Fiat recently announced it would discontinue production of the 500 and 500e small cars in North America.

Where PSA might affect FCA products is its expertise in smaller electric vehicles. Because FCA has such a high carbon footprint, it buys credits from Tesla to avoid fines for not being in compliance with emissions regulations. That is a practice that will continue for a few more years. Manley said he hopes FCA’s updated lineup, with its plans to introduce electric vehicles for many brands, will help the automaker to meet regulatory compliance on its own in 2021, at least on paper, but that is not guaranteed so Tesla is a hedge. The merger will help even more, Manley said.

The post Maserati Electric Cars to Take on Tesla, Alfa Romeo to Be Scaled Back appeared first on MotorTrend.

https://www.motortrend.com/news/maserati-electric-vehicles-take-tesla-alfa-scaled-back/ visto antes em https://www.motortrend.com

[luxefair]

A pink Lamborghini, a tractor, or maybe a car for $10 million? We tell what equipment is in the garage of celebrities

Beyonce (singer and actress).

Rolls-Royce Silver II Drophead 1959 release. This car was given as a birthday present by Jay-Z’s husband, to whom it cost $ 1 million.

Chris Pratt (actor).

Volkswagen Beetle 1965 release. Pratt won this blackjack machine and refurbished it himself after 12 years.

[adToApperHere]

  Cardi B (hip-hop artist and TV star).

Bentley Bentayga, Lamborghini Urus, Mercedes Maybach S650. There is even a Lamborghini Aventador S Roaster in Cardi B’s collection … but the singer doesn’t have a driver’s license.

Clint Eastwood (actor and director).

Fiat 500e. The famous shooter from the Wild West has an electric car with front-wheel drive, 111-horsepower engine and maximum speed of 141 km / h, which can travel 135 kilometers on a single battery charge.

Cristiano Ronaldo (footballer).

His collection includes many cars, including the Rolls-Royce Cullinan, McLaren Senna and Bugatti Chiron. But they all pale before the Bugatti Centodieci hypercar, which he ordered for 8 million euros. There will be only ten such hypercars. “Bugatti” received an 8-liter W16 engine with 1600 hp, it is able to accelerate from from zero to 62 mph in 2.4 seconds (100 km / h in 2.4 seconds) , to 124 mph in 6.1 seconds and to 186 mph in 13.1 seconds. Like its cousin the Chiron, Bugatti electronically limited the top speed of the car to 236 mph (380 km/h)

[adToApperHere]

  Justin Bieber (singer).

It should come as no surprise that he can afford the Lamborghini Urus crossover. But someone may doubt the choice of color, since Bieber painted it pink.

Pope Francis.

Usually the Pantiff moves in cars with a glass bulletproof capsule, from where he greets the people who meet him (the most famous of them is the Mercedes-Benz ML 430). However, in 2017, Francis was presented with a Lamborghini Huracan supercar. But dad basically refused the car to show how close he was to the people, and put it up for auction. “Lambo” went under the hammer for 715 thousand dollars, and the proceeds went to charity. Even the modern pope had a 1984 Renault 4, in which he moved around the Vatican. Now the car is in the museum.

Elon Musk (entrepreneur and billionaire).

The Tesla boss must have a very remarkable car in his garage. Indeed, this is James Bond’s Lotus Esprit Submarine from The Spy Who Loved Me (1977). Musk bought this car in 2013 for $ 1 million.

[adToApperHere]

  Gordon Ramsay (chef and TV host).

He is known for his love of Ferrari. The British chef’s collection includes two LaFerrari (with and without a roof), as well as a unique Ferrari Monza SP2, which costs about $ 2 million.

[adToApperHere]

  Charles, Prince of Wales.

The eldest son of Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain prefers classics – Aston Martin DB6 Volante. But what is unusual about this car? It has been converted to use bioethanol. And as fuel, according to the prince, you can use real wine. “She smells delicious while driving,” Charles said.

Jeremy Clarkson (TV host).

What’s in the collection of the most famous automotive journalist? Take Lamborghini for example. Tractor. This Lamborghini R8 270.DCR Clarkson uses on his farm in Oxfordshire. The Brit also has an Alfa Romeo GTV6, which he bought after filming an episode of The Grand Tour in Scotland, and a Volvo XC90.

Lady Gaga (singer and designer).

Should there be only expensive and / or strange cars in the garage of one of the brightest performers of our time? Not at all. She has a red 1993 Ford F-150 SVT Lighting. In general, the F-series pickup trucks are considered the best-selling vehicles in the United States and Canada.

[adToApperHere]

  Michael Fassbender (actor).

Ferrari F12 tdf. Why did he decide to buy a 780 hp V12 supercar? and rear wheel drive? One of the German’s hobbies is racing. In 2020, Fassbender will compete in the European Series Le Mans marathon with a Porsche 911 RSR.

Drake (rapper).

The Canadian rap star has a Mercedes-Maybach Landaulet G650. It has a 612 hp V12 engine. A total of 99 such machines were produced. Daimler never announced an official price for this SUV, but one such was sold at auction in 2017 for $ 1.4 million.

Kendall Jenner (model).

A relative of Kim Kardashian is full of stylish classic cars. For example, a 1965 Ford Mustang Convertible, a 1960 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz, and a 1956 Chevrolet Corvette.

The Most Unusual Cars of world celebrities A pink Lamborghini, a tractor, or maybe a car for $10 million? We tell what equipment is in the garage of celebrities…

[engineofficia]

2020 Fiat 500 Turbo Specs, Price, Interior

2020 Fiat 500 Turbo Specs, Price, Interior

2020 Fiat 500 Turbo Specs, Price, Interior– Fiats come back to the States hasn’t been an easy one. When the company first made the trek across the border back in 2012. they’ve managed to move a little over 40,000 of their cheeky small 500 hatchbacks. Now over the years, Americans’ taste for cars certainly hasn’t changed. Unfortunately for Fiat, neither has the 500 hatchbacks. With the most…

[iamspeedrunner]

2021 Fiat 500e Electric City Car Gets Its Hard Top On - Fiat is about to expand the 500e family with the addition of the closed-top hatchback which was already spied on the road not long ago hiding the few changes it has over the faux-convertible underneath a lot of camouflage. Peel the synthetic skin off and you will find the same styling as the 500e Convertible after all it is the same car. The only differences are the addition of a rear wing and an antenna that rests on the fixed roof. Co... by @iamspeedrunner. Also, check out https://www.iamspeedrunner.com

[mobileautorepairpros]

This Just In: Fiat Unveils All-New 500e But Not For Us!

True, you can no longer buy the tiny, three-door Fiat 500 as a new car in the U.S. Still, the unveiling of a third generation model, that from the ground up is designed as a pure EV, is notable. The newest Cinquecento heir is being shown as a classic roll back convertible. But, given this 500's smoother shape, and decidely digital ready interior, it is clear it is a totally modern effort. Plus, a more practical one. The EV range of the new 500e is over twice the now discontinued model at around 200 miles. It is always possible that this tiny electrified Fiat could return to the U.S., but it is currently not in the wind.

from MotorWeek Entries https://ift.tt/2IjIeEF via IFTTT

[motorsporthq]

Fiat 500 Axed in North America

Fiat 500 Axed in North America

Ciao, tiny retro cars—we can’t say you’ll be particularly missed

Ciao, Fiat 500! Instead of giving it a much-needed refresh, Fiat Chrysler is pulling the cute two-door car out of the North American market after the 2019 model year, including the adorable 500 convertible, 500e EV, and mighty-mite 500 Abarth models. Here’s the official statement from the maker:

“Fiat will discontinue production of…

[perksofwifi]

Fiat 500 Axed in North America

Ciao, Fiat 500! Instead of giving it a much-needed refresh, Fiat Chrysler is pulling the cute two-door car out of the North American market after the 2019 model year, including the adorable 500 convertible, 500e EV, and mighty-mite 500 Abarth models. Here’s the official statement from the maker:

“Fiat will discontinue production of the current-generation Fiat 500 and 500e in North America. Current inventory of the 2019 Fiat 500 and 500e will last into 2020. In North America, Fiat will continue to offer the new Italian-designed, fun-to-drive Fiat 500X all-wheel compact crossover, the Fiat 124 Spider roadster and the five-passenger Fiat 500L utility vehicle.”

The retro 500 has been offered in the U.S. since 2011 as a 2012 model; the car initially launched in Europe in 2007. Sales were good at first, with nearly 47,000 sold in 2012. But the numbers began a precipitous slide soon thereafter, and just 1,692 were tallied for 2019 through June. The 500 joins the VW Beetle, Smart brand, and Audi TT among the recent dead, either globally or in the U.S.

This news is yet another sign that America’s taste for bigger cars and trucks continues with no end in sight. The 500’s 1.4-liter turbocharged engine got a power bump from 101 to 135 hp and 97 to 150 lb-ft of torque last year, but it was a case of too little, too late. Per FCA’s statement, if you still want to buy a 500, there should be plenty of inventory on dealer lots until 2020, and we’d recommend trying to find a deal on an Abarth with a five-speed manual—that’s the variant we’ll miss.

Source: FCA

The post Fiat 500 Axed in North America appeared first on MotorTrend.

https://www.motortrend.com/news/fiat-500-500e-abarth-discontinued-north-america/ visto antes em https://www.motortrend.com

[allpar]

Fiat 500 being dropped; don’t run to get one “while they last”

Fiat 500 being dropped; don’t run to get one “while they last” #Fiat

Fiat announced today that it will stop making the little 500, its flagship car, in North America (a move that also affects the 500e and presumably the convertible 500C). The company reported that “Current inventory of the 2019 Fiat 500 and 500e will last into 2020.” — which is no surprise given ever-dropping sales figures.

Battery-electric 500e is leaving along with the gasoline 500

The continued…

[businessweekme]

Which Electric Car Is Right for You?

Electric vehicles have reached another milestone—in Norway.

According to the Norwegian Road Traffic Information office, one-third of the 147,929 new cars sold in Norway last year ran on batteries, with Nissan’s humble Leaf (rather than the beleaguered, if stylish, Tesla Model S) the most popular all-electric in that market. Sales of electric vehicles in the country rose 40 percent in 2018 from a year earlier, according to the report.

And the momentum is growing. Moody’s analysts say sales of cars with an internal combustion engine peaked in 2018. Demand for so-called ICE vehicles will start to wane in 2019, they predict. Moody’s projects the market for electric vehicles in 2019 in North America will quadruple to 1.6 percent of the total.

So if you find yourself wanting to hop behind the wheel of a full electric or hybrid—while still enjoying a luxurious ride—here’s a guide to what we think are the best of these vehicles on the market now or in the near future.

Need Something Sporty, Small, and Personalized?

The Car: Polestar 1

Stats: The slick, $155,000 hybrid two-door coupe has electric motors and a four-cylinder combustion engine that will produce 600 horsepower and 1,000 Nm (738 pound-feet) of torque. The range will be 150 kilometers (93.2 miles) under electric-only power; the charging time has yet to be announced.

Where it Excels: With time-tested Swedish engineering and power sent to each of the rear wheels, the Polestar 1 has all the components needed—in theory—to drive like a real sports car. (Remember, so far this remains in concept form.) That, along with its hybrid drivetrain, which eliminates range anxiety, is going to be a big reason for this new brand to pull buyers from Porsche, Tesla, and Audi. Plus, because each Polestar car can be configured and personalized to a high degree using the brand’s novel subscription system, it will appeal to young, affluent buyers accustomed to purchasing items that reflect their personality and style.

Notes:  Polestar is the performance luxury brand of Volvo Cars, owned by Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co. While the cars aren’t available yet—production will start in mid-2019 in Chengdu, China, with deliveries beginning in early 2020—they will be “sold” via an all-inclusive subscription model that combines automotive costs such as insurance and maintenance in a single monthly payment, unlike Tesla, which sells cars outright. Polestar North America will open its first Apple store-like retail space in New York.

Cross-Shop With: Audi E-Tron GT

  Need Something Practical for Suburban Life?

The Car: Porsche Taycan

Stats: On a special 350-kilowatt charger, Porsche says, the Taycan will be able replenish a battery to 186 miles of range in less than 10 minutes. Total system output will be more than 600 horsepower. It will travel from zero to 62 mph in under 3.5 seconds. Pricing has yet to be announced, but expect it to cost less than $100,000.

Where it Excels: Those wanting a highly practical electric sedan would do well to choose the Taycan. It’s been in development for years at Porsche’s plant in Stuttgart, Germany, with a focus on driving performance, range, practicality, and good looks from perhaps the most trusted sports car maker in the world. If anything was a sure bet out the gate, this would be it.

Notes: This is Porsche’s first move into general production electrified cars and its first direct shot at Tesla. It will play a crucial role in parent Volkswagen AG’s lineup as the company makes more electric cars over the next eight years while streamlining operations to save billions of dollars. In theory, the Taycan is arriving at the perfect time, as Tesla consumers tire of the brand’s poor build quality, endless wait times, and the latest antics from Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk.

Cross-Shop With: Tesla Model S

  Need Something to Collect?

The Car: Ferrari LaFerrari

Stats: The hybrid LaFerrari has a V-12 engine and an electric motor that combine for a total output of 960 hp. It can reach 124 mph in less than 7 seconds (zero to 62 in less than 3 seconds). It has a top speed of 220 mph. (Ferrari doesn’t release electric-only range for this supercar, but all reports say it’s extremely limited.)

Where it Excels: The LaFerrari is good at getting attention. It’s good at making jaws drop from sports car and exotic car aficionados. It’s good for a weekend drive to the local cars & coffee meetup and for showing up in for dinner on a Friday night. And it’s good for sitting in your garage and appreciating in value.

Notes: This is the first hybrid from Ferrari. With ultralimited production, futuristic looks, an iconic heritage, and insane performance, it’s a true collector’s piece. Will Ferrari ever make something 100 percent electric? Maybe. In the meantime, the LaFerrari is more than enough.

Cross-Shop With: Porsche 918 Spyder

Need Something for a Weekend Warrior Lifestyle?

The Car: Jaguar I-Pace

Stats: The $69,500 electric SUV has all-wheel drive and a total 394 hp and 512 pound-feet of torque. It can hit 60 mph in 4.5 seconds, about equal to much more expensive vehicles such as the Porsche Macan E-Hybrid and entry levels of the Tesla Model X. Top speed is 124 mph and it can travel 234 miles on a full charge. A typical 50-kilowatt DC rapid charger gets it from a zero to 80 percent charge in 85 minutes.

Where it Excels: The I-Pace is good for sightseeing. It has a massive panoramic roof that affords those in the back seat spectacular views. And it’s good for driving around town doing errands (there’s lots of space in the trunk for groceries), picking up the kids from practice, or heading out to camp, bike, ski, or hike for the weekend. Does this sound a lot like what the Taycan does? Yes, but with more room in the back.

Notes: This is the most exciting thing Jaguar has produced in years, including the sexy F-Type coupe. A low-riding, compact SUV that you might compare with everything from the Porsche Panamera E-Hybrid, Audi Q5, and  BMW X3 to the Mercedes-Benz GLC, the I-Pace is long and low, with handsome, modern body lines and an intuitive interior. Designed by Scot Ian Callum, a famous former Aston Martin designer, it more than holds its own against rival cars in range, performance, technology, and design.

Cross-Shop With: Tesla Model X

  Need a Motorcycle for Your Urban Commute?

The Bike: Zero FX

Stats: A full charge on a standard 110-volt household outlet takes 9 hours, or you can use Zero’s $600 hypercharger and do it in 4 ½ hours—or forget that altogether and simply swap out the battery. There are two modes: Eco and Sport. With a range of 91 miles in the city and 39 miles on the highway, Eco mode is significantly more practical. Top speed in either mode is 85 mph. Pricing starts at $8,495.

Where it Excels: The Zero FX is light and easy to maneuver in city streets. Its spongy shocks and nimble steering make it fly over cobblestones and potholes; its optional interchangeable battery pack means you barely have to wait at all to access a new charge.

Notes: As the motorcycle market dwindles, with  Harley-Davidson in particular struggling to attract new and younger (than its pensioner-age) buyers, electric bikes are a bright spot within the segment. Zero makes the best of them in terms of design, reliability, rideability, and value.

Cross-Shop With: Alta Redshift SM

  Need Something Very Fast—and Roomy?

The Car: Tesla Model S

Stats: It has a 2.5-second zero to 60 mph sprint time that eviscerates all contenders. Power can be difficult to quantify on all the varying levels of the Model S sedan, but the $94,000 Tesla Model S P100D hits around 590 hp.  It’s officially rated with a range of 315 miles, though in real-world scenarios that dips to closer to 250 miles. With a basic garage wall outlet, charging can take as much as eight hours.

Where it Excels: The Tesla Model S in Ludicrous mode is the fastest mass-production electric vehicle you can buy. Heck, it’s faster than most regular sedans you can buy. And it offers massive amounts of space for a four-door sedan, with a hatchback and cabin devoid of the center console that typically eats up space in conventional cars. If you want something immensely practical for daily living that also drives like the dickens, this one’s for you.

Notes: Tesla has a big target on its back, as Porsche, Audi, and Jaguar play catch-up to the electric leader. But there’s a reason it’s winning the electric game—it was the first and the best for a long time. The Model S, when in top form, is still the best electric sedan you can buy now. As I said in the review linked above, the Model S P100D delivers an authentic, and powerful, driving experience sure to pump adrenaline through the veins of even the most discerning driver.

Cross-Shop With: Porsche Panamera Hybrid

  Need Something Flashy That Won’t Give You Range Anxiety?

The Car: BMW i8

Stats: The $147,500 i8 coupe has a twin-turbo, 3-cylinder, 228 horsepower engine and a 141 hp electric motor. Total output is 369 hp, about the same as a Porsche 911 Carrera. Zero to 60 mph is 4.2 seconds; top speed is 155 mph.

Where it Excels: Straight speed performance behind the wheel of the i8 is less exhilarating than it might appear from the car’s looks, but it hugs corners like a boa constrictor and stays connected to the road like a supermagnet. It’s a thrill to drive thoughtfully designed inside and out. Those upward-opening doors will only get cooler with age.

Notes: One of the few electric sports cars available in both coupe and convertible forms, the BMW i8 is well on its way to iconic status. One of the first hybrid sports cars on the public market when it was introduced 10 years ago, it still remains a good standard of excellence.

Cross-Shop With: Acura NSX

  Need Something for Solo Life in the City?

The Car: Fiat 500e

Stats: At $32,995, the Fiat 500e is not cheap for a small car, but it is among the cheaper electric cars you can buy. (The interior is far from luxurious—that’s not the point.) It has a total range of 84 miles, with strong efficiency ratings of 121 mpge in the city and 103 mpge on the highway. On a 110-volt charger, it takes 24 hours to get a full charge.

Where it Excels: The Fiat 500e is a snap to park—in some spots you can even park it perpendicular to the curb thanks to its diminutive stature. It’s good for short-distance driving to places where you want to dash in and out for quick sundry items or errands.

Notes: This tiny (although darling) thing is not what you’d want for driving on the highway or if you’ve got to spend hours at a time in the car. The interior is cramped and awkward for anyone over 5 feet 8 inches tall. But if you’re the type to have a city house and a country house, or if you have a big apartment in New York and need something just to get around and park with ease, it’ll make a great addition to the family. (Note: As of this writing it’s sold only in select states in the U.S., including California and Oregon.)

Cross-Shop With:  Mini Electric concept (coming soon)

  Need a Sporty Compact Daily Driver for You and a Partner?

The Car: Audi E-Tron GT

Stats: The 590-horsepower four-door “coupe” will have a range of 248 miles. According to Audi, its 100 kWh battery pack will have a zero to 60 mph time of 3.5 seconds and be able to charge to 80 percent battery strength in 20 minutes.

Where it Excels: If Audi’s current sports line is any indication, the E-Tron GT will be ultrasmooth and quick. It’s not ideal for families, but with four doors and a small back seat, it affords enough room for a random friend or two to join on a trip, or to throw extra bags behind the front seats, without sacrificing the cool compact look or performance.

Notes:  Audi’s E-Tron SUV, out later this year, spells the company’s first big push into electric vehicles for mass consumption, but the style-minded will wait for the car version. A low body, square nose, stubby rear end, and graphic daytime running lights make it look ready to hustle, and it retains the cool elegance of the German brand with body-style overtones and a roofline like the new Audi A7. Inside, the seats are lined in fabric made from recycled fibers. So far, the car is still in concept form, but the production version is likely to retain most of the details from the concept. Production begins in 2021.

Cross-Shop With: Tesla Model 3

Need a Trustworthy Family Hauler?

The Car: Mercedes-Benz EQC 400

Stats: The all-wheel-drive EQC 400 will have an 80 kWh battery and a dual-motor electric drivetrain with combined output of 402 horsepower and 564 pound-feet of immediate torque. Top speed will be 112 mph with a sprint time to 60 mph of 4.9 seconds. Total maximum driving range for the European version will be 279 miles (U.S. numbers and battery charging times have yet to be announced).

Where it Excels: If this concept continues with Mercedes’ well-known and beloved devotion to offering the most progressive technology and safety systems, it’ll be the most advanced and thoughtfully practical family-suited SUV on the market.

Notes: Daimler has big plans (and more than $11 billion budgeted) to put 10 pure-electric vehicles on the road by 2022. The Mercedes EQs, which stands for “electric intelligence,” include precursors such as the discontinued the B250e, a small electric hatchback of sorts, and the EQ Silver Arrow sports car concept that Mercedes showed earlier this year in Pebble Beach, Calif. This SUV will compete against the Jaguar I-Pace SUV, the production versions of the BMW Vision iNext, and that electric e-Tron crossover from Audi. It will arrive at U.S. dealers in 2020.

Cross-Shop With: BMW Vision iNext

The post Which Electric Car Is Right for You? appeared first on Bloomberg Businessweek Middle East.

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