If there’s another car that better merges the past, present and future than the Fiat 500 I can’t think what it might be. Now admittedly, for the purposes of this introduction, I’m not thinking too hard but the chic Italian that first charmed car buyers way back in the 50s, and then again when an updated version was launched on its 50th anniversary in 2007, has been reinvented again as an all-electric runabout (there’s also a hybrid version).

So, 65 years after the model’s first appearance as the rear-engined Cinquencento – widely regarded as one of the first city cars – its successor is preparing for a fossil fuel-free future.

Rivals include the Smart EQ ForTwo and the quirky Honda E, as well as the Mini Electric, Renault Zoe and Peugeot e-208.

It benefits from a relatively long ‘official’ range of 199 miles – I did say relatively – and the ability to charge its battery – there’s a choice of 24 or 42 kWh – reasonably quickly. There’s also a convertible version that comes with a retractable canvas room, though that’s only available with the larger of the two power sources.

The cheapest electric 500 is fitted with the 24kWh battery with a power output of 94bhp. The sprint, if you can call it that, from a standing start to 62mph is a leisurely – by electric car standards – 9.5 seconds. The range is limited to an ‘official’ 115 miles but experience tells me that, in real-world driving conditions, it’s likely that would dip below 100.

Whenever I’ve driven a Fiat 500 I’ve felt like I’m perching on the seat rather than sitting in it and the EV version is, unsurprisingly, no different. The seats are, though, supportive in all the right places but the omission of steering wheel reach adjustment on some of the lower-spec models could possibly leave some people struggling to find a comfortable driving position.

There’s not a great deal of room to rest your redundant left foot and you’ll have to splash out on the Comfort Seats Pack (or opt for the range-topping La Prima trim) if you want seat-height adjustment and a central armrest.

Anyone who remembers the original 500 would appreciate that this has never been a particularly large car and, while the current model is substantially bigger, it’s still a squeeze to accommodate for adults.

There's a decent amount of storage space in the front with a tray halfway up the dashboard that's big enough to hold a mobile phone. This is where you'll find the wireless charging pad [where fitted].

Between the seats there is a long, narrow, cubby where you can store your valuables out of sight. the door pockets are disappointingly small.

The boot is small with a capacity of just 185 litres. In higher spectrums you get 5050 split folding receipts offering I'm much more flexible solution

The seating position might be a little unorthodox, particularly in a small hatchback, but it does offer up a decent view of the road out of the sides and the front. It’s not so great out the back but all models come with parking sensors as standard while the Eye Park Pack (standard on La Prima and an option on Icon) adds sensors at the front and flanks as well as a rear-view camera.

LED headlights are standard only on the top-of-the-range La Prima mode. You can add them as part of the Eye Park Pack but ticking that option comes with a hefty price tag.

There’s more examples of the past and present sharing the same stage because the dash layout and equipment has distinctly contemporary feel to it, in stark contrast to the retro styling of the exterior. The ergonomics are good – though it would take some doing to place any of the controls in a car this small – but there’s not much evidence of plush, soft-touch materials in the cabin. That said, nothing feels cheap and it is all securely bolted, glued and screwed together.

Entry-level Action trim is fitted with four speakers that will stream music from your smartphone via a USB cable. There’s a cradle to hold your phone.

The optional Radio Pack as a seven-inch touchscreen infotainment system and DAB radio but if you want the larger 10.25in touchscreen you’ll have to upgrade to Red trim. Doing so also adds Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

It’s all very easy to use – apart from a couple of too-small icons on the homescreen – and responds to inputs accurately and quickly.

What's it like to drive then?

As I touched on earlier there are two versions available: One with a 24kWh battery and a 94bhp motor and the other with a 42kWh battery. the latter cuts at least half a second off the zero to 62mph sprint.

there are a couple of driving modes to select from normal and Sherpa, with the second of those used to extend the battery range as much as possible. It limits the top speed to 50mph but can only be operated when the vehicle is stationary which is a little inconvenient.

Built primarily for the city the 500 as a pleasingly tight turning circle and is perfect for buzzing around narrow urban streets or darting away from junctions. the body his reasonably well controlled with minimal lean in corners. There's plenty of grip but not much feedback from the deliberately light steering.

While the ride can feel a little unsettled it's never uncomfortable. Some rivals can feel a little less jittery along faster roads but the 500 is less disturbed by surface imperfections than most small cars.

The bigger battery version is a better option poor drivers who plan on spending a significant amount of time on motorways on high-speed journeys. The improved range over the 24kWh car also makes longer journeys possible but there is quite a lot of wind noise at higher speeds which stark contrast to the near silence you enjoy pottering around the town.

The Fiat 500 is, in my opinion, one of the best-looking small cars on the road. Italian firm has done a commendable job of reviving an icon and making it a desirable proposition fitfor the 21st century. The rear seats are tiny, it's fairly noisy at higher speeds and its rivals have longer ranges, but it's fun to drive around town and comfortable too.

Fiat 500 Electric Icon 87Kw 118bhp

Price (from): £33,000

Max power: 118hp

Max torque: 220Nm

Max speed: 93mph

0-62mph: 9sec

For more information visit www.fiat.co.uk

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