Abarth, the high-performance arm of Italian carmaker Fiat, has unveiled details of its
first-ever electric car. Due here late in 2023, the Abarth 500e is an enhanced version of
the Fiat 500e which will arrive mid-year.
The Abarth 500e will be powered by a front-mounted 114 kW / 235 Nm electric motor
with a 42-kW battery pack pushing the little car from zero to 100 km/h in seven
seconds.
In a break from the normal silence that identifies all other electric vehicles Abarth has
fitted an interesting piece of technology called the Sound Generator, which reproduces
a fake engine noise supposedly matching the legendary sound of the Abarth engine.
It’s likely to divide opinions so fortunately can be turned off.
At launch the 500e will come as a Scorpionissima hatchback with a limited edition of
219 units and including a digital certificate of authenticity. The Turismo variant will be
added later.
Only 1949 units will be produced worldwide, with the number of units commemorating
the year the Abarth brand was founded.
Exterior features include 18-inch alloy wheels, full LED lighting, panoramic fixed glass
roof, privacy glass, heated Titanium grey mirror caps and an electrified version of
Abarth’s traditional Scorpion logo.
Inside there are premium sport seats with Alcantara embossing, leather and Alcantara
sporty steering wheel, Alcantara dashboard Fascia, 50:50 split foldable rear seats,
height adjustable driver seat, heated front seats, and sporty metal pedals and kick
plate.
Three different charging modes are available: a CCS COMBO Type 2 socket that
enables both domestic and public AC charging, and public DC fast charging at a
maximum rate of 85kW. At a DC fast charging station, it is possible to charge 0-80 per
cent in 35 minutes.
Maximum battery range is listed at 252km.
Abarth 500e includes an e-mode selector on the central console enabling the driver to
select three different driving modes: Turismo, Scorpion Street or Scorpion Track.
Turismo mode allows for smoother acceleration and maximum efficiency.
experience. Scorpion Street mode offers top performance while maximizing the
regenerative braking. Both Turismo or Scorpion Street Mode get a one-pedal driving
feature.
Scorpion Track is the high-performance mode although it does delete the single-pedal
function.
Abarth 500e features Autonomous Driving Level 2 as standard. A forward-looking
camera, located behind the internal rear-view mirror, supports longitudinal and lateral
control of the vehicle, performing intelligent Adaptive Cruise Control (iACC) and Lane
Centring (LC).
There will be the choice of five colours Available in five colours: Poison Blue, Antidote
White, Venom Black, Adrenaline Red and the stand-out Acid Green.
Infotainment features will include a 10.25-inch tablet-style touchscreen with DAB+
digital radio, wireless Apple Carplay and Android Auto combined with a 7-inch TFT full
digital cluster. Sound will be from a six-speaker premium JBL audio.
Prices will be announced closer to the launch later this year.
