All-New Fiat 500e Shows up at CES and in the Metaverse
Announced at the Los Angeles Auto Show last November, the return of the Fiat 500 in North America—scheduled for 2024 in electric configuration only—is reaffirmed this week at CES (Consumer Electronics Show) in Las Vegas with a live and virtual presence.
First, visitors can find the new Fiat 500e in a special Gold Rose livery in the Free2move space at the Stellantis booth. Free2move is a mobility hub owned by Stellantis that offers short-term car rental through a mobile app.
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While the company currently operates in several countries across Europe as well as the Americas, including the U.S. and Mexico, it remains absent in Canada.
Over at the Microsoft booth, the Fiat 500e can be explored virtually in what is called the Fiat Metaverse Store. This online showroom and boutique first launched in Italy last month, and it will open here in the first quarter of 2024 when the 500e goes on sale.
The virtual environment is said to be user-friendly and accessible via a smartphone, tablet or computer—no VR headset required. A Fiat product expert is available at any time to answer questions and guide customers as they get familiar with the car inside and out. Fiat’s goal is to reinvent the car shopping experience, similar to what a growing number of car brands—especially EV makers—are trying to do.
The official reveal of the North American-bound Fiat 500e will take place at the 2023 Los Angeles Auto Show (Nov. 17-26). Additional details and specs will be shared at that time.