Little Car, Bigger Mission
While Fiat has a much stronger presence overseas, the brand is not what it used to be in the U.S., with sales dropping from 43,772 units in 2012 to just 1,321 units last year. The company is still catering to American buyers with the 500e and, more recently, the Topolino, a small low-speed electric vehicle that starts at $13,995 before destination charges.
Given the affordable pricing, there’s not really much to expect from it, especially considering it is intended for short-distance transportation rather than highway driving. However, that didn’t stop Fabrizio Giugiaro and Lapo Elkann from giving the model more character beyond its straightforward micromobility identity. They unveiled two one-off creations based on the Topolino at Salone Auto Torino in Italy, called Top L and Top J.
The Anti-Supercar
The Top L (L stands for Love) is the sportier of the two, featuring an open-top, two-seat cabin. It draws inspiration from the spirit of actor James Dean’s Porsche 550 – dubbed “Little Bastard” – and features a matte aquamarine finish with matching leather upholstery and Alcantara cabin inserts.
While the Top L looks built for speed, the standard U.S.-market Topolino tops out at just 19 mph and is restricted to private property. Fiat’s low-speed vehicle conversion kit raises that to 25 mph and allows access to certain public roads. Essentially, its intended use is closer to that of a golf cart than a conventional car.
But perhaps that’s what makes these one-off creations more special. After all, both Giugiaro and Elkann are renowned names in the automotive space, yet decided to spend time reworking an affordable vehicle instead. Giugiaro is a car designer and son of Giorgetto Giugiaro, who penned iconic models like the DeLorean DMC-12, BMW M1, and Hyundai Pony – which inspired the Ioniq 5. Meanwhile, Elkann is an Italian entrepreneur and brother of Stellantis Chairman John Elkann.
On the other hand, the Top J (J stands for Joy) puts more emphasis on utility with its back-to-back four-seat configuration. The striking blue-and-green livery draws inspiration from the 1950s Ferrari 166 MM once owned by Elkann’s grandfather, Gianni Agnelli. It also comes with a fabric canopy and a terry-cloth and leather interior.
Two Takes on a Tiny Fiat
The press release did not mention any production plans or sale status, so treat them instead as one-off design studies showing that even affordable cars can inspire emotion.
With Jeep and Ram central to Stellantis’ U.S. business, the standard Fiat Topolino could be seen as a potential lifeline for Fiat, albeit aimed at a completely different demographic. Still, if it can generate revenue, then why not? Companies like Waev and Chip Motors are also targeting the low-speed vehicle market.
