DRIVE QUEST - Explore the charm of cars with our guests. Vol.02 FIAT 600e

DRIVE QUEST - ゲストと探る、クルマの魅力。<br>Vol.02 FIAT 600e

2024.10.15

Photo： Tatsuki Nakata

Edit： Naoya Tsuneshige

Places you can only go by car. Secret conversations you can only have in the car. Play your favorite music and go wherever your heart takes you. Cars always show us new sights. Maybe it's a little different when you've got your crush in the car. This is a series that explores those thrills and excitements with our guests. Passenger seat passenger of the month, what is the appeal of cars?

Exploring the charms of the 600e with Mami.

A new model has been released by FIAT for the first time in a year and a half. Its name is "600e". When it comes to Italian, I only knew "Buongiorno" and "Grazze", and if I hadn't met this car, I would never have uttered the phrase "Seichento" before or after. That's how unfamiliar I am with Italian. Oh, I might use "Margherita" a lot.

Although Fiat has a compact image, the interior of the 600e is spacious and provides a relaxed atmosphere.
The LED headlights have a unique shape. The attention to detail in the design shows the passion that went into this new model, the first in a year and a half.
Uconnect® with 10.25-inch touch panel monitor. You can use the same smartphone apps you are used to using every day.
The 360° parking sensor makes parking safe and secure. The image looks like you're looking down from above, so you can see the distance to any obstacles behind you at a glance.

"She has a cute face and a strong personality."

This is not about our guest, but the catchphrase for the "600e". Well, somehow it feels like it applies to our guest too... Sitting in the passenger seat that day was Mami Hasegawa, who worked as a press reporter at a certain major select shop for many years, and has been working as a freelancer since this year. Most people get flustered when operating the navigation system in a car they are driving for the first time, but she smoothly and accurately entered the directions to our destination, Hikawa Shrine in Kawagoe, Saitama, into the navigation system. She really is "cute but reliable".

The two-spoke leather-look steering wheel pays homage to the Nuova 500. Audio and other controls are also at your fingertips.
There are three drive modes to choose from: Normal mode, which allows for everyday driving; Eco mode, which reduces motor output while improving fuel efficiency and extending the driving range; and Sport mode, which provides more direct power in response to throttle work and increases steering weight for a sporty driving experience.
The 600e is equipped with stylish aluminum wheels with a unique design that catches your eye.
There is no shift lever, but rather a button to operate the gears.The center console is equipped with a large storage space, making it ideal for storing small items while driving.
The seats are made of eco-leather. The FIAT logo and blue embroidery create a stylish and cute atmosphere.

As you can tell from the "e" in the name, the "600e" is an electric car, and it's extremely quiet. Because there is no engine noise, you can hear the sound of the car cutting through the wind, the tires gripping the road, and of course conversations inside the car, which reminds you of the original enjoyment of driving. Furthermore, the cruising range on a full charge is an astounding 493km. Whether it's for city driving, leisure, or long trips, it's a solid car that can handle anything, just as the catchphrase says.

"It has a very sophisticated design. It makes me feel excited when I ride it."

Mami muttered this as she looked at the "600e," which features a cute face that gives off a mischievous, playful vibe. The rounded shape, distinctive front lights, and 18-inch diamond-cut aluminum wheels give the car a playful look that is unique to Italian cars. The ivory-toned interior is sprinkled with inspiration from the original "600," including the round meter cluster and two-spoke steering wheel, and the embossed Fiat logo on the seats and turquoise stitching add accents.

Kawagoe is about an hour and a half away from Tokyo. This area is filled with a sense of history and is also known as "Little Edo." It is a popular area with a lot of atmosphere and rows of earthen storehouses.

"A friend from my school days has his family home in Kawagoe, and I'd often heard stories about it, so I felt a certain familiarity with the place. But I'd never actually been there. I thought I'd take this rare opportunity to try some sweet potato desserts in Kawagoe, after all. I'm also interested in Hikawa Shrine, which is famous for matchmaking."

We asked Mami, who says she loves driving, why she does so.

"Don't you think it's easier to talk in a car? It feels like the distance between you and the person suddenly shrinks. You're both facing forward, not facing each other, so there's no awkward eye contact. If you want to get to know someone, going for a drive might be the best way."

We arrived at our destination, Hikawa Shrine, and each of us prayed for a good relationship. After enjoying the power spot to our heart's content, we ate the sweet potato desserts we had been longing for and headed home. As we watched the sun set, Mami-san told us the following story at the end, saying, "The sun sets so early now..."

"When you move house, your mood can change completely. Sometimes, just changing the place where you work from the office to a cafe can help you get more done... well, the opposite is also true. In other words, I think we are greatly influenced by the place and space. For better or worse. I think the same is true for cars. What kind of car do you drive, and what kind of place and space does that car provide? I think that in the future, I will have my own car, and I want to choose one that takes that into consideration. In that sense, the 600e provided us with the best space."