Stellantis dealerships across the United States have been finding it increasingly difficult to move lingering inventory of the now-discontinued Fiat 500X. The model’s slow sales and aging appeal have left showrooms with vehicles that customers simply aren’t rushing to buy. However, the brand is finally offering its dealers a glimmer of hope. Fiat has officially confirmed that the tiny and cheerful Topolino will be making its way to the American market, providing a fresh product that could help shift attention away from the underperforming crossover. Given how extremely compact the Topolino is—small enough that two of them could practically fit into the footprint of a single 500X—it is unlikely to cause major stocking headaches. But jokes aside, the announcement marks a significant step for Fiat as it reinvents its U.S. presence with something more playful and radically different.
Fiat plans to reveal fuller specifications and market details next year, but the essentials are already known. The Topolino is a petite, two-seat electric runabout equipped with a front-mounted motor that produces a modest 8 horsepower and 44 Nm of torque. Its power is supplied by a compact 5.4-kWh battery pack capable of delivering up to 75 kilometers of driving range according to the World Motorcycle Test Cycle standards. While its top speed in the European version is limited to 45 km/h, it reaches that maximum velocity in about ten seconds—performance figures that place it squarely in the category of neighborhood-friendly mobility. Its gentle speed and compact dimensions make it a promising alternative to golf carts, which have become increasingly popular for short, local trips in residential communities.
Details specific to the American version will be disclosed in the coming months, but the European configuration rides on small 14-inch wheels and shares its underpinnings with two other Stellantis micro-EVs: the Citroën Ami and the Opel Rocks. Those badge-engineered siblings, however, are not expected to reach U.S. shores—unless, of course, Dodge or Jeep decide to pursue an unconventional experiment of their own. Physically, the Topolino is extremely short at just 2,535 mm in length, riding on a wheelbase of 1,730 mm. For comparison, it is over a meter shorter than Fiat’s own 500e, a model that starts at $30,500 before the nearly $2,000 destination charge. One can easily imagine how comically small the Topolino would appear if parked beside a massive Cadillac Escalade or a Ford F-150.
Fiat chose to accompany the announcement with a splash of artistic flair by unveiling a special art car during Miami Art Week. The unique creation, known as the “Brittolino,” was produced in partnership with artist Romero Britto, celebrated for his energetic, colorful fusion of pop art, cubism, and graffiti. The one-off Topolino is adorned with vivid patterns, each panel showcasing its own lively artwork. It features a contrasting blue roof, rope-style door substitutes, Britto-themed wheels, and polished silver bumpers—turning the already quirky EV into a rolling piece of modern art.
Fiat CEO Olivier Francois emphasized that the Topolino has become widely visible across Europe and has already made several promotional stops in the United States over the past year. According to him, it has generated an unexpectedly enthusiastic response from American audiences. With that momentum in mind, he expressed his delight in confirming that the Topolino is officially on its way to U.S. roads.