Image: Fiat
Image: Fiat
Image: Fiat
Image: Fiat
Image: Fiat
The latest Abarth 500e, the silent spiritual successor of the Abarth 695, is faster than its petrol-powered adversary. Here are all the details on the hotted-up electric hatchback.
Image: Fiat
The first of the new era for Abarth. That is right, the Abarth 500e has become the first fully electric model to come out of Fiat’s in-house tuning company; Abarth. Coming shortly after the fashionable electric 500 was launched earlier on in the year, the Abarth team has been working on their hotted-up version which ups the power and retunes the suspension and characteristics of the model for more engaging driving.
Retaining the same front-wheel drive layout as it was in the petrol-powered predecessor, the Abarth 500e is now powered by a single electric motor as opposed to a 1,4-litre turbocharged ICE. While the standard electric city car produces 87 kW and 220 N.m, the newcomer to wear the scorpion badge pushes that output all the way up to 116 kW and 235 N.m, silently.
Image: Fiat
Modest numbers yes, but remember that this is a pocket-sized city car that weighs little more than a shoe, similar to the 695. Speaking of which, Abarth pitted the two models against each other around the Misto Alfa Romeo circuit and the neon yellow Abarth 500e managed to lap a second quicker than the ageing model that wears identical aesthetics.
Part of the running gear of the Abarth 500e is a 42-kWh pack that can be charged at up to 85 kW. Within five minutes, the model can reach 40 km of range while 35 minutes will push that number all the way up to 80% of its battery capacity.
To commemorate the year in which it was founded, 1 949 Scorpionissima units will be created to serve as a fully loaded launch edition. This comes in either Acid Green or Poison Blue paint complete with body vinyl.
Watch its international launch here.
The electric model has not yet been confirmed for South Africa which means the hotted-up predecessor is under the same uncertain fate but considering the consistency in sales of the outgoing petrol-powered model, it is likely both derivatives will make their way to our shores.
Keyword: Abarth 500e debuts as fashionable neon-green hot hatch