At the 2010 Detroit Auto Show today Chrysler rolled out its Fiat 500 minicar once again but this time around the diminutive hatch is sporting something very different. Labeled the Fiat 500 BEV, the new concept features an all-electric powertrain based on Chrysler’s modular electric drive technology that’s been in development for the past several years.

Packing similar technology and performance to the MINI E from BMW, the new Fiat 500 BEV is purely a concept and there are currently no plans for production.

Chrysler is yet to reveal any details on the concept but explains that it was created in order to investigate packaging of an electric powertrain in a smaller vehicle.

In contrast, the first Fiat 500 to make it to the U.S. has already been confirmed as the EV's near-polar opposite: the 500 Abarth version, which was also on show in Detroit. With its peppy 160-horsepower output from a 1.4-liter turbo four, it'll be a great ambassador for speed, but it won't make it here until late 2010 or early 2011.

[Chrysler]