A New Hot Hatch EV Is Coming, The Abarth New 500

Abarth, the Italian performance sub-brand of Stellantis, is returning with an all-new, all-electric hot hatch, the Abarth New 500.

Slated to debut on 22 November, it follows behind the new Fiat 500 EV, and marks the first time Abarth goes electric after a near 15-year life.

At the moment, nothing much of the design is known, except for a teased footage released on social media by the brand.

Of which, showed the new EV model with large silver alloy rims that has the prominent Lime Yellow scorpion center-lock wheel nut, and a hint of its body colour, electric lime.

Besides that, only images of a test car cloaked in camo are available, and according to Fiat Chief Executive Officer Olivier François, its overall design will be more or less the same.

It can be seen with a revamped front bumper featuring a more aggressive honeycomb lower grille, side sill extensions, new rear bumper with a diffuser, and a larger rear spoiler.

Performance-wise, it is said the mid and range topping versions get a 42-kWh battery capable of 118 Hp output, a zero to 100 Km/h time of 9 seconds, a 150 Km/h top speed, and 320 Km of range.

Other than that, the 1,400 Kg EV will be equipped with a more focused chassis setup featuring a stiffer suspension, stronger brakes, and tweaked steering.

That said, with the birth of the Abarth New 500, the brand will no longer have any internal combustion-powered models. 

Nonetheless, there will be another fully-electric Abarth launched by 2025, which will also be a derivative of a Fiat.