Latest news with #Miata
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘Amy Bradley Is Missing,' But the Netflix Docuseries Filmmakers Think They Know Where She Is
If you're planning a nice family cruise vacation this summer, don't watch Amy Bradley Is Missing on Netflix until after you've safely disembarked in your home port. In 1998, 23-year-old Amy Bradley vanished from the cruise ship she and her family were vacationing on. A full search of the ship revealed nothing, leading officials to believe Bradley likely either jumped or fell overboard on the way to Curaçao. But a body is never found, and over the span of decades, multiple people report seeing Bradley alive on the Dutch Caribbean island (as well as an alleged sighting in Aruba). Evidence that Bradley may have instead been trafficked off of the boat — and potentially through the help of one of the ship's entertainment staff — only gets weirder from there. More from The Hollywood Reporter Filming Underway on Season 2 of Netflix's 'Geek Girl,' Layton Williams Joins Cast 'Stranger Things' Season 5's Spectacular First Trailer Released by Netflix Netflix Earnings Preview: Price Hikes, AI and Cash Flow in Focus I had a lot of questions, and filmmakers Ari Mark and Phil Lott of Ample Entertainment had to sit through all of them. Read The Hollywood Reporter's Q&A with the Amy Bradley Is Missing directors below. *** How did you come to tell this story? I admit I didn't know who Amy Bradley was. ARI MARK People know about Amy Bradley's story if you're in the true-crime, amateur sleuth-y world, which fortunately or unfortunately — however you want to look at it — I am. So I knew about the story. We have a small production company. We've done some cool stuff, but for us to really put the time into making and directing something, and being all in on it — it had to check the boxes from an industry standpoint. It has to feel like we have something that's non-derivative. On a human level, which I separate from the industry level, if you met this family the way we did, you look at them, you talk to them, you walk into their garage where they still have her [Mazda] Miata shined up with gas in it, and you really want to help. What we have found over the course of these years of doing these shows is that when it comes to true crime, mystery and the unsolved, these platforms can actually do good. I know that's mind boggling, but they can. They can move the needle, and that was what we wanted to do. PHIL LOTT This is a case that has existed in the true-crime-o-sphere, but it also exists in the fear of every parent. It's super relatable. We've all crammed into a room on a vacation trying to save a few bucks. So they're all crammed in this room, and then just the horror of waking up and finding that one of you is missing, and for good or for bad, no one seems to be listening — or at least not enough for a parent who's just lost their child. I mean, this is terrifying. You do want to solve it because of the the time that's passed — the family has a commitment to that cause. Every single day they wake up and it's as real as it was yesterday. But also, you have this very human idea that you want to help in some way to sort of mitigate the pain this family has been experiencing every single waking hour. There are two ways a documentary can help: The filmmaking process could undercover new evidence, and/or the film could elevate the case to a level that demands (more) action. Which one were you primarily aiming for when starting this docuseries? MARK It depends on the story. With [This Is the Zodiac Speaking], we really felt like we could solve it, as crazy as that sounds. With [Amy Bradley Is Missing], it was initially the curiosity, then the challenge of, 'Ooh, maybe we could find her.' When we first came into this story, and when I was first introduced to the key players, everyone from the FBI, family members, friends, experts, what have you, eyewitnesses — they all convinced me that we're gonna find her. And there was definitely a moment in this show where I'm looking at Phil going, 'Are we getting on a plane and are we gonna, like, start walking around the Caribbean? And what happens if we [find Amy]?' I really got convinced because the credibility element was there. And when the credibility element is there, we could say whatever we want, we could question things and judge everyone. But when you look somebody in the eye and ask them the hard question, you could tell if the answer is real. You can tell if their story is authentic. I don't know if that answers your question, but I think with this one, we really thought we could find her. I had [Amy's mom] Iva Bradley calling me every day, saying, 'All of our eggs are in your basket. We're relying on you to find her.' That's quite a responsibility. So the hope is that having this be on a platform like Netflix brings them one step closer. And I really believe it will. It sounds like you believe she's alive. MARK Phil, me or you? LOTT You go for it. MARK Phil doesn't have the guts to say this. (Both laugh.) I got to the point on this show where I became close enough with the people. Of course, we remain objective, and we were objective through the whole process. There are enough reasons to believe all of these things are possible. That's what makes it compelling. But Brad, [Amy's] brother, says, 'I have to cling to the hope.' He's like, 'I'm not saying it's definitely this, definitely that — but I have to cling to the hope.' I've kind of gotten to the point where I have to believe she's alive. And people will judge me for that. You immediately fall into a bucket of, 'How could you believe the most far-fetched piece of this?' We're always so used to calculating odds. 'Well, the odds are this happened, and the statistics say …' All of those things are true. But if we're telling a remarkable story, I think there's just as much of a chance that there's a remarkable answer. Anything you want to add, Phil? LOTT No, I think that was incredibly well said. When people watch this series, I think you will feel like your preconceptions have been compounded. The easiest thing in the world is to come up to us going, 'Clearly, she fell off the boat.' I think we're as guilty of that coming into this as anyone else. And as you go down the path, and you start answering the first five questions, they all lead to much bigger pieces of mystery. Well, now you have three episodes of that. It's something that just gets bigger and deeper and more compelling. MARK Our job is essentially to call bullshit, right? We go into these things calling bullshit. So as you go, 'Ooh maybe we're wrong,' it's an evolution. It's a process. I don't understand how people could deny the photo (advertising a prostitute in Curaçao who looks a lot like Amy Bradley would today) … MARK You'd be surprised. I think a lot of people don't believe the photo could be her — not because it doesn't look like her, not because the characteristics don't match up, just because the scenario is so hard for them to follow through with. The most compelling part to me is that the woman was positioned in exactly the way that would hide each of Amy's identifying marks: her birthmarks and tattoos (one Tasmanian Devil and a butterfly). MARK That part really made us scratch our heads, too. The other piece that's hard to ignore is how seriously the FBI took that photo. It wasn't like they were like, 'Oh, whatever,' they really did chase that down. They analyzed the bed frame, tried to figure out where it was made. They sent an operative down there to actually scope it out. And they did look into that website, and they brought in that trafficking expert — it's hard to ignore. The other incredible find here is that, on family birthdays and holidays, traffic to the Bradleys' tips website spikes in the same geographical area where Amy has supposedly been spotted. The FBI doesn't have jurisdiction to pull the exact IP address, but they have the ability to, which is incredibly frustrating. MARK It depends how you look at it. I think from the FBI standpoint, they've exhausted everything. From the family standpoint, they haven't. So it's a tricky situation. The FBI is an easy target because it's always easy to say, 'Why didn't you pursue this or that lead?' And the truth is, most of the time, it's because it's not credible enough for them, and they don't want to spend time on it. And by the way, they don't like sightings. They don't like them because they're not black and white. Unfortunately, there's a lot of gray area here, and that's a hard thing to argue against. No matter how emphatic you are that you saw someone, if you didn't [get] video, it doesn't exist. [Writer's note: The FBI did not immediately respond to THR's request for an update on the case/search.] It was a wild piece of information. MARK That blew us away, too. Actually, that was presented to us in the very, very beginning of this, and it was part of what drew me to wanting to look into this because it was very convincing to me. Do you guys cruise? MARK I would never set foot on a cruise ship. Why? MARK I was always a little skeptical of cruise ships, just because I'd feel kind of trapped. I do think, though, since working on this show, I have developed much more of a kind of a — I don't want to say 'fear,' but definitely a sensitivity to the idea of bringing my kids on a cruise ship. I do think a ton has changed since 1998. There are cameras everywhere, people have iPhones, etc. — but it's still a multibillion-dollar business with an agenda and you don't have control. Phil, are you a cruise guy? LOTT I'm not. I'm from a small country, we're a seafaring country. The idea of the sea is intoxicating for us, naturally. You put us near the water, we want to get out there on a boat. And in this situation — even perhaps more than most — the idea that the world comes to you is enticing. However, you sit for five minutes and talk to the folks who have real knowledge of the legalities, and also just the sheer amount of faith you have to have that someone's looking after you when you go on these boats. You hear how vulnerable you are, on a criminal level. You go outside the national waters into international waters — even just run yourself a thought experiment for a minute. Who is coming to help? Who do I even call? Who's 9-1-1 for the middle of the sea? I don't know. I couldn't tell you. And now you put your duty of care to your own family into that equation, and it's just one more level of terror that I think this whole story kind of brings to the forefront. If William Hefner's story is to be believed and Amy couldn't get out of prostitution because of a $200 debt, why wouldn't she (or the family) have been able to buy her freedom? It's been 27 years. MARK It's a good question. I don't know the answer. I think that it's probably a similar answer to the one that Ron, Amy's dad, gives when I literally said to him, 'Why isn't she calling you?' I think it's a similar situation. Look, we don't know what we don't know. What's been suggested in the show is, maybe threats were made against her family. Maybe she's been told things that aren't true. Maybe she's on drugs. I don't really know the answer to that. It's really puzzled us, too. The only thing we could think of is that she's in a difficult situation where they have some leverage. How did you get Alistir 'Yellow' Douglas' daughter Amica to participate? Did he know the phone call was being recorded and, possibly, for a documentary? MARK I spent months talking to Amica and her mother. There's some details not in the show. And we really worked hard to try to be fair to Alistir because there's a side of this where he's a guy whose life is being upended and he's being vilified all over the internet for something where, frankly, there's just no proof. So that's his perspective, right? Amica reached out to the Bradleys and then I reached out to Amica. This was very much something she wanted to do. She has been the recipient of a lot of this negative treatment online, as you can imagine. She has a daughter. She has spent her own time learning about this case and really trying to figure out if her dad's involved. And she feels that something is off, right? So that, for me, was enough to say, 'Well, you're his daughter. So if you think something's off, we should probably look into this.' She gave a great interview, she was super emotional. She wanted to confront her dad. I had tried reaching out to Alistir many times. At one point, he was considering doing an interview, so he knew about us. So when she called him, he was aware of our existence. Let's put it that way. *** Amy Bradley Is Missing is now streaming on Netflix. Best of The Hollywood Reporter 'The Studio': 30 Famous Faces Who Play (a Version of) Themselves in the Hollywood-Based Series 22 of the Most Shocking Character Deaths in Television History A 'Star Wars' Timeline: All the Movies and TV Shows in the Franchise Solve the daily Crossword
Motor 1
13-07-2025
- Automotive
- Motor 1
‘Will Inevitably Clog Your System:' Woman Uses A/C Recharger in Her Miata. Then Viewers Warn Her
A Miata driver recently discovered that recharging the A/C system seemed to fix their engine idle, though the two issues aren't actually connected. TikTok user @skeeteryata, who owns a 1991 Miata, said she used a DIY A/C recharge kit and was surprised by what happened next. 'Who knew recharging your A/C would make your car idle normal?' she wrote, noting that before the recharge, her Miata idled at 2,000 RPM with the A/C on. 'Wow, who knew?' she added in the caption. As of this writing, her video had pulled in more than 140,800 views. What's An A/C Recharge Kit—and Will It Damage Your Car? An A/C recharge kit is a do-it-yourself solution designed to refill your car's air conditioning system with refrigerant, usually when levels drop due to normal wear or small leaks. In some cases, it can temporarily boost cooling performance . Don't let convenience fool you, though. These kits are billed as easy fixes, yet they don't tackle the underlying issue. If your A/C is consistently low on refrigerant, there's probably a leak—something only a professional can properly diagnose and repair. They also come with risks. Refrigerant is a toxic chemical that, if mishandled, can cause breathing problems or serious eye injuries. Overfilling the system can wreck your A/C compressor, and improper use may release harmful chemicals into the environment. There's also the issue of precision. When your A/C system is completely empty, it needs to be refilled based on the specific weight recommended by the manufacturer. Professionals use specialized tools to measure this accurately. DIY kits, however, rely on basic pressure gauges, so even if the pressure looks right, the actual refrigerant volume could be off. Too much can damage your system; too little, and your A/C won't cool properly. Compatibility is another concern. Most DIY kits use R-134a refrigerant, which works for many cars made after 1994. But older models, like the Miata that @skeeteryata drives, may require R-12, and many newer vehicles now use R-1234yf. Mixing refrigerant types can seriously damage your A/C system. So, if you're unsure what your car takes, DIY charging isn't the way to go. In short, while these kits may offer a quick fix, they come with a margin for error that could cost you more in the long run. If your A/C issues persist—or if you're dealing with an unfamiliar system—play it safe and call your local mechanic. Will Using One Affect My Car's Idle? Not directly. As @skeeteryata noted in the comments of her video, her Miata was idling rough and also had A/C issues. After using a DIY recharge kit, her car suddenly started to 'idle normal'—but that's likely a coincidence, not cause and effect. 'So many people acting like they know my car better than me,' she replied under the post. 'It was just a goofy post, I know adding refrigerant ain't gonna cure all my issues.' The bottom line is that recharge kits are meant to fix cooling issues, not engine performance. If your car's idle is off, there's probably something else going on—and a can of refrigerant won't fix it. Viewers Warn Against DIY Kits Commenters on @skeeteryata's video didn't hold back, calling DIY A/C recharge kits 'garbage' and warning they could do more harm than good in the long run. 'Now when ur AC fails it's going to need the whole system replaced instead of just getting to the root cause,' one wrote. 'They don't just lose refrigerant, they leak, and ur filling it with anti-leak which will inevitably clog your systems.' 'If u recharged it but didn't fix it, ain't it just gonna leak again?' another asked. 'If you need to recharge, it means there is a leak,' added a third. But @skeeteryata stood her ground. In the comments, she reminded critics that the post was meant to be lighthearted, not a how-to guide. 'I know this isn't a universal fix,' she wrote. 'I know what's wrong with my car and why it idles rough. I was just saying I added refrigerant and my A/C problems got better. I'm not dumb, I promise.' Motor1 has reached out to @skeeteryata via a TikTok direct message. Now Trending 'Hertz Tried to Sue Us:' P.I. Rents Nissan Altima. Then He Shares What You Should Always Do Before Leaving the Rental Lot 'I Work as a Valet Driver and Brooo:' Man Starts His New Chevrolet Colorado. Then He Notices An Unprecedented New Feature Get the best news, reviews, columns, and more delivered straight to your inbox, daily. back Sign up For more information, read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use . Share this Story Facebook X LinkedIn Flipboard Reddit WhatsApp E-Mail Got a tip for us? Email: tips@ Join the conversation ( )
The Drive
10-07-2025
- Automotive
- The Drive
Mazda Exec Says Sports Cars Still ‘Critical,' and Not Just Miata
The latest car news, reviews, and features. The 2026 Mazda CX-5 is just a few hours old, and if the previous generation is any indication, this redesigned model will sell like hotcakes for years to come. While that's good news for the Japanese automaker's balance sheet, what enthusiasts really want to know is what the future holds for Mazda sports cars. In conversation with Stefan Meisterfeld, VP of Strategic Planning for North America, The Drive learned that Mazda still considers sporty, fun-to-drive cars 'critical' to its business—and from the sounds of it, there may be room in the lineup for a sports car other than the venerable MX-5 Miata. 'We want to serve different customers with different solutions, with different wallets and functional needs, and emotional needs,' Meisterfeld told The Drive . 'So the MX-5 and then sports cars in general will remain a critical component of this. 'The Miata is very near and dear to all of us. Our engineers will never give up on this heritage, and clearly, this is very important. We will continue to offer the Miata, and we will continue to look into new interpretations. The sports car heritage that we have as a brand is very, very important for us,' added Meisterfeld. Blue Fish Productions for Mazda While Meisterfeld isn't exactly hinting, let alone promising a new sports car, it's worth highlighting that he precisely referenced 'MX-5 and then sports cars in general' as two different buckets, per se. Like most brands out there, Mazda has to think hard about where to invest its capital, and creating new or refreshing existing crossovers and SUVs will always be the safest bet. The current CX-30, CX-50, CX-70, and CX-90 are big players in the most important (and competitive) passenger vehicle segments. However, the sedan and hatchback versions of the 3 don't quite replace the void left by the old RX-8 and Mazdaspeed variants. 'The business is mostly around the crossovers, but all of these crossovers also have some elements of our core driving DNA that is basically embodied by the MX-5,' said Meisterfeld. At the end of the day, Meisterfeld isn't wrong about the brand's SUVs possessing that Mazda driving DNA that makes them some of the most entertaining to drive, but if sports cars are truly critical to Mazda, then hopefully we'll have news on that front soon. Got a tip? Email us at tips@
The Drive
09-07-2025
- Automotive
- The Drive
He Turned His Miata Into a Side Hustle by Teaching Enthusiasts to Drive Stick. He'll Pay You to Do the Same.
The latest car news, reviews, and features. When Ahmed Raza bought his stick-shift car just a few years ago, he'd never before driven one. He figured out the basics right then and there, with the benefit of a parking lot and some patience, and eventually worked up the confidence to drive himself home. Today, he's the CEO of Manual Driving Academy—an in-person program that is teaching a new generation of drivers how to row their own all over the country. And he's looking for more drivers who might want to make a buck doing the same. Like many good enthusiast stories, this one starts with a Miata. Raza's secondhand 2012 NC2 with the power retractable hard top was all the inspiration he needed to learn how to drive a manual. And once he'd gotten the hang of it, he was eager to share his newfound enthusiasm with friends and family. Raza enjoyed the process so much that he got the itch to expand it into a business. He approached the individual who would later become his partner with a simple pitch: Let's teach folks how to drive stick for money as a side hustle. Just like that, Manual Driving Lessons Houston was born. The business flourished, and soon expanded to other cities in Texas. Within months, it was clear there was demand nationwide for stick-shift lessons, and the pair decided to rebrand as the Manual Driving Academy. That was in 2023; today, the academy offers lessons in 47 metro areas, with more expansion on the horizon. That's pretty rapid growth for just two years, and it's only possible because the Manual Driving Academy doesn't exist—not physically. Instead, it contracts with local instructors who provide their own vehicles. Yep, that's the catch. In exchange, the academy provides its 200-some-odd contractors with commercial insurance coverage, so that's one less thing to worry about when subjecting your personal car to the abuses of novice sick-shift drivers. That's not to say there aren't other criteria for becoming an instructor. Most are referred by existing Academy contractors, and Raza says the pool is made up almost entirely of fellow enthusiasts. Some of his best sources of new instructors are local motorsports associations, where word of mouth spreads somewhat quickly. There's an interview process and you can expect your driving record to be checked, but it's all conducted remotely. Just how much can you make as an instructor? That's largely determined by your availability and the number of local requests, but it's also influenced by the package chosen by the student. Courses come in three flavors, in ascending order of price: The Basics, The Standard, and The Works. The price for each is fixed, but since not all students learn at the same pace, they may not always take the prescribed amount of time to complete. Raza says instructors should expect to earn between $50 and $60 per hour, depending on how quickly students pick it up. 'The Basics' is just what it sounds like. By the end of it, students are expected to be able to get themselves around a parking lot without any additional help. The Academy suggests this should take 1-2 hours to complete, which sounds about right to us. 'The Standard' includes gear shifting techniques, hill starts and parallel parking, bumping the prescribed completion time to between 1.5 and 3 hours. Spring for 'The Works' and your student should walk away with a grasp of advanced clutch control, including rev-matched down-shifts. Completion time: 2 to 4 hours. The Academy suggests 'The Works' for customers who want to drive a higher-output sports car, since it teaches a bit more finesse. And what sort of students might you expect? Per Raza, they're often a lot like his typical instructors. They're young (between 18 and 34) and usually car enthusiasts. The Academy also sees a decent number of soon-to-be overseas travelers, along with members of the military who have recently learned they're going to be stationed abroad, where manual transmissions tend to be more commonplace. So, if you've got the manual car sitting around and taking up garage space rather than earning its keep, consider this your call to action. And even if you don't need the cash, just think of it as a way to help keep the hobby alive, one upstart enthusiast at a time. Got a tip? Send it our way at tips@
Forbes
05-07-2025
- Automotive
- Forbes
Three Of The Smallest 2025 Cars, Tested
The charms of the pint-sized automobile are many. You can slip in and out of tight parking spaces with ease. They're (mostly) affordable. Friends will never say 'Hey, I'm moving this weekend - can I borrow your MX-5?' Here are three recently tested pint-sized vehicles I loved, and why. 2025 Mazda Miata MX-5 2024 Mazda MX-5 Unlike so many cars (and haircuts, and clothes) from the 80s and 90s which seem funny to us today, the long-in-the-tooth MX-5 Miata has never had an awkward stage in all this time, and the 2024 model is still one of the funnest, smartest and affordable peanut convertibles available. What's New for 2025? Light tweaks arrived last year like new exterior lighting elements, an updated grille, and improved wheel designs. A new 8.8-inch infotainment display replaced the outgoing 7.0-inch screen, There's also a 35th Anniversary Edition - a limited-production edition celebrating the Miata's legacy and delivering exclusive design elements like Artisan Red Metallic paint and a tan Nappa leather interior. Pricing starts in the $29,000 range, all the way up to the late 30s with options and delivery charge. Inside It's a tight squeeze, as everyone knows. Getting in and out requires the bit of creativity no matter what size you are. There's almost no room for the little things we cart around, so into the little trunk they go. If you do an overnight, both of you will have to fit your stuff into one suitcase. The nav/audio/climate system worked well. The Miata isn't known for its kickin' audio system. 2025 Mazda MX-5 Mileage It's got better-than-average mileage - 26 MPG City / 34 Highway / 29 Combined. I filled the tank from near-empty with a little more than 20 bucks. The Drive The thrill of the MX-5 has always involved sweetly smashing that standard shift, whipping through K-turns, slipping through tiny spaces in between the other cars and generally enjoying yourself. You're not ferocious in any way, but you get that delicious thrill and feeling of freedom the MX-5 provides. You'll get some decent velocity at blast-offs by giving it lots of gas and winding quickly through the gears, but this is not a car that's in any type of hurry. You'll think you're doing 65 but you'll see you're only doing 45. Not a problem. Would you want the MX-5 in a snowstorm? No. But that's true of any little sports car. Room for improvement The cabin is so loud even with the top up that conversation with a partner was difficult at speed. Also, other drivers with bigger rides instinctively know they can cut in front of you, and they're right. 2025 Mini Cooper Countryman SE ALL4 2025 Mini Countryman Electric The 2025 Mini Cooper Countryman SE ALL4 is a splendid, can-do all-electric compact crossover SUV blending Mini's identifiable characteristics with modern electric performance. It's also not 'mini' as we understand the term. This electric model is new for 2025. But it must be included on this list. Looks It is large and lovely, with a length of about 175 inches and a width of 81.5 inches. It features customizable LED lighting elements, including daytime running lights and taillights which owners can personalize. The front grille is now an octagonal shape - a new design element for the 2025 model year - integrating sensors and cameras. Inside It's neat, minimal and they've put the window controls on each of the doors, where they belong. The interior materials include reasonably premium fabrics and Vescin leatherette, with options for massaging seats and a panoramic sunroof. Mini's 9.4-inch circular center display is on deck here, and it looks elegant when you finally get it to do as you wish. 2025 Mini Countryman Electric As for tech, the Mini Operating System 9 supporting wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and an onboard Wi-Fi hotspot. This unique system also allows for personalized backgrounds and includes driving modes like Trail Mode, displaying a compass and inclinometer, for example. Motor You motivate via a 66 kWh battery, offering an EPA-estimated range of 212 miles, 204 miles with 19-inch wheels. That's on the low side. It supports DC fast charging up to 130 kW, enabling a 10% to 80% charge in under 30 minutes. Price The starting price for the 2025 Countryman SE ALL4 is $45,200, with higher trims and options increasing the cost to $51,145. The Drive This 'Mini' weighs 4,500 pounds so although the acceleration, steering and handling are on-point, it is quite the large vehicle and behaves as such. Acceleration from a dead stop is electric-hasty and thus handy and a lot of fun. But a zippy, mountain-carving unit this isn't, and that's ok. For reference, the original Mini weighed 1,250 pounds. Options Notable options include the customizable ambient lighting, a Harman Kardon sound system and various style packages that accentuate different vehicle features. Additionally, the vehicle offers a head-up display and massaging front seats. Room for improvement The range is on the low side compared with competitors. The ignition and drive selector are the tiniest you've ever seen in any car, anywhere. The infotainment system never remembered my Droid on each ride - one had to reconnect each trip using six steps. Most vehicles require you to sync just once, and you're connected throughout the test. Safety Safety features include standard automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist, and optional adaptive cruise control with lane-centering. 2025 Fiat 500e 2025 FIAT 500e As soon as I got to the end of the block during my first drive, I loved the Fiat 500e. There was enough room inside, first, for both me and the 76-pound dog I was watching. Unlike the other vehicle I had at the time where the pooch just couldn't get settled or sit still, sometimes for two hours, she just sat, alert, in the 500e the entire time. The other thing I loved was that, as in an MX-5, you just zip around any obstacle, quietly. Need to make a u-turn? You don't even think about it, just do it. You're also a welcome sight to most people. Being cute can have its advantages. Nobody on the road was pushy or disrespectful. Now, the disadvantages. The 500e's 140-150 mile range is very much on the low side. This shouldn't be a problem – if there are fast-chargers along your route. What I found, though, when nearing Bear Mountain during the test was that of the 12 chargers listed in my map's software, 12 were also occupied. Ditto the four chargers nearest that. I would have to head home and plug the 500e into the three-pronged outlet in the garage and leave it there at least 10 hours, which I really didn't mind. It's nice to think you can buy an electric car and just plug it into your house and not think about it. What's New For 2025 The 500e was new as of last year, the previous model having been discontinued in the USA in 2019. There isn't any mechanical or performance difference between the 2024 and 2025 Fiat 500e, aside from a new Giorgio Armani Collector's Edition styling package added for this year. Inside 2025 FIAT (500e) RED It'll fit you and a partner and a big dog like mine or a couple of little kids. The big and tall adults, not so much. A generous 10.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system runs a Uconnect 5 software interface and the sound was punchy and satisfying. Overall, the interior is mod and pleasant and is outfitted with more stuff than was the outgoing model. You feel a bit like you're in a movie space pod. Motor You've got a single 87-kW permanent magnet electric motor, delivering the equivalent of 117 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque. How much is it? The 2025 Fiat 500e has a starting MSRP of $30,500, with the Giorgio Armani edition priced at $37,495, according to CarEdge and Kelley Blue Book. The base model, the 500e INSPI(RED), also starts at $30,500. Performance Front-wheel drive is your only option, a plus for a little car when it has to ford snow or ice. You zip-zip as you will in any electric in parking lots and city streets, but acceleration is a slightly sluggish on highways - 60 mph is reached in about 8.5 seconds. You've got three different regenerative modes—Normal, Range, and Sherpa, Sherpa being a sort of emergency electricity miser that'll numb all responses and keep your speed under 50 MPH, in aid of you making it to the next charger when you're low. How's the drive? The ride is firm but the cockpit's quiet. Keep a firm grip on the wheel over rough roads, or it'll snap right out of your hands. There isn't a whole lot else to say about the drive except that it matches the vehicle's size (tiny) and its motor (little.) One doesn't expect a screeching, spitting experience. Conclusion? The experience delivered is exactly what's expected - a stylish little electric, done well.
