Abarth 500e Electric Hot Hatch Officially Debuts

Officially unveiled this week, the new 2023 Abarth 500e sees the famed scorpion-badged performance arm of Italian auto giant Fiat charting its first step into the electric space, bringing forth a hotter, quicker version of the Fiat’s current generation 500e supermini.

Abarth says this 500e is “faster and more exciting in both urban and suburban driving” than the 595, with improved weight distribution, a wider wheelbase and more torque. We’ll also add that Abarth have given this supermini sporty styling touches too apart from the striking new ‘Acid Green’ paintwork pictured.

Abarth extended this 500e’s wheelbase by 24 MM and widened its track by 60 MM. When coupled with the low centre of gravity stemming from the base 500e’s under-floor battery arrangement, the Abarth 500e promises enhanced handling over its petrol-powered sibling, along with a boost in turn-in responses plus quicker corner exit speeds.

On board, things look largely similar to the base 500e, with this Abarth performance special retaining the base car’s 7—inch digital instrument panel and 10.25-inch central infotainment touchscreen. Higher-end trimlines sees the cabin brimmed with Alcantara-covered sports seats and a premium JBL hi-fi audio system as well.

The treatment here is similar to how the famed scorpion-badged performance arm have given past modern Fiat 500s – the Abarth 595 being a prime example. While it uses the same 42 kWh battery pack and electric motor system as the base 500e model, Abarth has tweaked said motor to the tune of 155 HP and 235 NM – 38 HP and 15 NM more than the base 500e, in fact.

The result of which sees the Abarth 500e sport a quicker 0-100 KM/H sprint time of 7 secs, marking a full 2-sec improvement over the regular 500e it underpins. Notably, Abarth were keen to note that their tuned 500e also lapped the Misto Alfa test track at Balocco quicker than the 178HP Abarth 695 – arguably the most manic iteration of Abarth’s tuned 500s – by over a second too.

Interestingly, unlike most EVs, Abarth has chosen to add appropriate noise via an artificial engine sound module present in the cabin. “Sound has always been important to the brand as a distinctive characteristic,” said Abarth behind this feature’s inclusion, which is standard equipment and  can be switched off for those who favour silent running.

The EV-centric novelties continues with the offer of three selectable drive modes, those being Turismo, Scorpion Street and Scorpion Track. These come at the price of deleting the base 500e’s range-extending ‘Sherpa’ mode, though we reckon fans and enthusiasts would instead bask in this supermini’s performance talents rather than its hyper-miling abilities.

According to Abarth, lightning-quick acceleration wasn’t the primary focus. Instead, the division had set its sights on better mid-range power, with the division keenly pointing out this 500e’s ability to sprint from 12-25 MPH (19-40 KM/H) in just takes 1 sec, whilst sprints from 25-35 MPH (40-56 KM/H) is despatched in less than 1.5sec. In contrast the Abarth 695 does the latter in a seemingly ‘paltry’ 2.5 seconds.

Besides lighting quick performance, the Abarth 500e also boasts equally rapid charging abilities thanks to the aforementioned 42 kWh battery’s acceptance of up to 85 kW fast-charging. This is the same as found in the Fiat 500e base car, which allows 0 to 80% charges in just 35 minutes.

As for range, Abarth remained coy with these figures. Given the higher state of tune, as well as the aforementioned deletion of ‘Sherpa’ drive mode, this hotter version will indeed cover less than the base 500e’s claimed maximum range of 143 Miles (230 KM).

Lastly, a special ‘launch edition’, dubbed the Scorpionissima, will be made available, though limited to just 1,949 units – a nod to the year Abarth was established. In comes dressed in the Striking Acid Green as pictured or Poison Blue hues, combined with racy side graphics too. Apart from the exclusive 18-inch wheels, this special also gets a fixed glass roof, tinted rear windows, sporty pedals, and steel door sills.

Are you digging Abarth’s electrifying first go with the electric Fiat 500e? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below about this highly charged supermini…