Abarth goes electric: 500e EV super hatch roars to life
The Abarth 500e is a tough looking supermini, and will reach Australia and the US in late-2023. Images: Stellantis
Speaking at the media launch of the Abarth 500e and Fiat 500e for the US, Olivier Francois, FIAT & Abarth Chief Executive Officer and Global Chief Marketing Officer of Stellantis proclaimed that “You may ask ‘why electric?’. Well, basically, performance made us do it: in fact, every change made in the Abarth is about getting the best driving performance.”
Well, no. The current regulatory environment made you do it. Strict emissions standards in Europe, China and North America are becoming legislation, and OEMs are scrambling to source batteries for electric vehicles.
That aside, the Abarth 500e is a cool looking mini EV from a company with serious pedigree. For those unfamiliar with the brand, Abarth started in motor racing, establishing a strong relationship with FIAT in the 1950s. More recently, cars like the Fiat Abarth 124 Roadster and Abarth 500 range have attempted to channel this racing pedigree.
While Stellantis has provided only vague details at this stage, we know the Abarth 500e will be a fun car. The company claims performance that offers “50% faster acceleration from 12 to 25mph (19 to 40 km/h) than its petrol-powered counterpart”, however we can’t find a reference to this data range anywhere for the Abarth 695 petrol.
Abarth claims a more responsive electric motor over the regular 500e, a longer wheelbase, improved support due to widened track widths, and a better balance between the axles to improve dynamics. This should result in quicker response for the driver, and better cornering characteristics.
The Abarth 500e offers a 42kWh battery, with a single motor offering 113.7kW (155PS). Not exactly scintillating numbers, given the 500e is likely to be heavy. Abarth states that the 500e will hit 62mph (100km/h) from zero “before you even realise it”. No, I’m not joking, that’s in the press release.
Abarth 500e Image Gallery
Three driving modes are available, and the 500e car DC fast charge at up to 85kW. As pedestrian warning systems become mandatory around the world, Abarth has opted for a guitar sound; “a “strumming guitar” reflects the transgressive and unconventional soul which is inherent in the genre and in the Scorpion‘s cars”. Righteo.
Finally, if you really want to capture the experience of a petrol Abarth, there’s an optionally available “Sound Generator” that accompanies the engine performance, apparently reproducing the sounds of a petrol engine.
The Abarth 500e Scorpionissima Limited Edition is now on sale in Europe to Abarth community members, and the vehicle is expected to go on general sale early in 2023.
