Say hello to the first ever electric hot-hatch from Abarth- the 500e.
Like all of Abarth’s current range, the 500e is based on the Fiat 500 - in this case the Fiat 500 Electric.
But where the leccy Fiat gets power of 118 PS, Abarth has squeezed much more out of the 42 kWh battery to produce power of 155 PS and 235 Nm of torque.
How does that stack-up against the current petrol-powered Abarths, the 595 and the 695?
Pretty well, actually!
While both the 595 and the 696 have more power than the 500e - making 167 PS and 182 PS respectively - it’s the 500e that’s actually more responsive.
The electric Abarth 500e will accelerate from 0-62mph in 7 seconds flat - quicker than the 7.3 second time the Abarth 595 sets.
The Abarth 500e cannot, however, match the Abarth 695’s 0-62mph time, with the 695 completing that sprint in just 6.7 seconds.
Yet Abarth is confident that adding a battery to the pocket rocket has made it a better car.
A spokesperson says:
“Electric is the perfect technology to improve driving pleasure and ensure more sprint, greater balance, more stability, and better road holding.
“In a nutshell, for Abarth, electrification means being more fun and more competitive. If you look at it from another angle, electrification not only means looking for greener solutions, but is also synonymous with pure, distilled, and hardcore fun.”
The 500e trumps the 595 and 695 in terms of improved weight distribution, better torque, and a wider wheelbase, giving it more poise.
Abarth says its 500e is a second quicker than the Abarth 695 in the ‘urban pickup’ race - being 50% faster when going from 12 mph to 25 mph.
Overtaking should also be easier in the Abarth 500e, as it can burst from 37 mph to 62 mph a second quicker than the 695, thanks to all that instant torque you get with an electric motor.
The Abarth 500e was also a full second quicker than the 695 around the ‘Misto Alfa’ racetrack in Balocco, Italy.
There are three driving modes - Turismo, Scorpion Street and Scorpion Track.
The Abarth 500e is equipped with the 85-kW fast-charging system which can replenish the battery up to 80% in only 35 minutes.
What’s more, Abarth has also given the 500e an ‘immersive sound experience’, pumping the famous Abarth petrol engine and exhaust roar into the cabin.
There’s no word yet on range, though Abarth will be hoping it can get as close as it can to the Fiat 500e’s maximum range of 199 miles. You can, of course, expect the Abarth 500e’s potential travel distance to be lower than its Fiat equivalent.
The first editions that’ll be made available next year are called ‘Abarth 500e Scorpionissima’.
They’ll come as either a hatchback or convertible versions and will feature ‘Acid Green’ or ‘Poison Blue’ body paint, 18 inch alloys, glass roof, steel pedals, heated Alcantara sports seats, a 10.25 inch touchscreen, and a JBL premium audio system.
And we'll bring you further details as and when they arrive.
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