The name Topolino (“mouse”) has become a landmark for the Italian car industry. This nickname was given to a small and cheap car Fiat 500 of the first generation, which sold 520 thousand copies from 1936 to 1955. And that’s not counting licensed production in France and Germany. Then Fiat did not register this name, but now it will appear once more in the Fiat lexicon, and this time officially.
Fiat 500 nicknamed Topolino
According to the European publication Automotive News, a prototype of the future Fiat Topolino model has already been shown to dealers. It will once more be a simple and cheap machine, but no longer of the original design. Topolino will be a kind of French electric car Citroen Ami sample of 2020. Moreover, this will be the second clone, because in Germany such machines are already sold as Opel Rocks-e.
Citroen Ami
Legally, this is a light quadricycle, which in many European countries can be driven from the age of 14. Characteristics are limited by law: 6 kW (8.2 hp) engine, maximum speed no more than 45 km/h. The main differences between Topolino and twins under other brands should be a slightly more expensive trim and a version with a folding roof.
Opel Rocks-e
Fiatiki will be produced at the same plant in Morocco, where similar Citroens and Opels are made. Italy will be the main market for Topolino. The original Citroen Ami is already on sale there, they ask for a minimum of 7,600 euros for it, but with the advent of a similar Fiat, the French brand will remove this model from the local range. For example, in Germany the concern sells only Opel Rocks-e. The premiere of the Fiat Topolino model is expected in 2023.