Fiat finally introduced the redesigned 500e in the United States last week. However, many consumers have scoffed at its short 149 mile (240 km) range and $32,500 price tag.
That being said, the car is a bargain compared to the 500e concepts that were auctioned off as part of the festivities surrounding Art Basel Miami Beach. All three soared past their estimates of $50,000 to $100,000 as they sold for a combined total of $600,000.
The big winner was the 500e Kartell concept, which sold for a staggering $275,000. That’s nearly nine times as much as the road-going model and bidders apparently fell in love with the concept’s blue tinted glass and six-layer “ecocrome” paint job that has a chrome-like finish. They’re joined by mirrors and wheels that draw inspiration from Kartell’s Kabuki lamp, which retails for $1,685.
More: America’s 2024 Fiat 500e Debuts With 149 Miles Of Range
Live Photos: Michael Gauthier / CarScoops
Other highlights include a bespoke interior with recycled polyester mélange fabric and transparent polycarbonate dashboard trim.
The 500e Bulgari brought in $175,000 while the Armani version fetched $150,000. While both sold for significantly less than the 500e Kartell, all three brought in a lot of money for production-based concepts.
Speaking of which, Fiat said the cars are “expressions of automotive art” and do not comply with motor vehicle safety standards in the United States. While that’s not surprising, it means the vehicles can’t be sold in America.
As a result, winning bidders have to jump through a few hoops as “FCA US LLC or its affiliates will export all vehicles … to the point of origin, Italy, before the sale of the vehicle can be transacted and the title … can be transferred.” After securing the title in Italy, the winning bidders will receive documentation to export the vehicles out of Italy and to a country of their choosing.
