Credit: Abarth
Abarth, the high-performance brand of Fiat, has unveiled the new Abarth 500e, an electric hot hatchback with a 42kWh battery and the brand’s “Sound Generator” to ensure drivers can hold onto the classic Abarth “roar”.
The Abarth 500e is the high-performance version of Fiat’s 500 EV, which is due to land in Australia sometime during the middle of 2023. Unveiled on Tuesday in a striking ‘Acid Green’, the 500e evokes the ‘bubble’ shape of past Fiat and Abarth models in a car that looks purpose-built for inner city getabouts.
Boasting a 42kWh battery, the 500e delivers 113.7kW and 155 horsepower, and is able to accelerate from 0-62mph (0-100km/h) in 7 seconds.
Abarth has put a lot of thought into what its new 500e ‘sounds’ like, with the external Sound Generator able to replicate the unmistakable Abarth “roar”.
Internal sound has also been handled with an Abarth flare, with the Key On-Off system reproducing a guitar inside the cabin every time the car is turned on or off. Even Abarth’s Acoustic Vehicle Alert System (AVAS) gets a specific “jingle”, while the first time you exceed 12mph (19km/h) a “strumming guitar” sound is heard.
Three driving modes are available, Turismo, Scorpion Street, and Scorpion Track – the ‘scorpion’ reflecting the Abarth badge, mirrored in the limited edition model of the 500e, dubbed the ‘Scorpionissima’.
The Turismo mode allows for smoother acceleration and lower power, with max power reduced to 100kW and torque dropped to 22Nm. Turismo allows for a more efficient driving experience. Scorpion Street offers the top performance while also maximising regenerative braking, while Scorpion Track is designed for those looking for the ultimate performance.
A number of features round out the 500e including dusk and rain sensors, passive entry thanks to the new Abarth wearable key and keyless go, automatic climate control, automatic high-low beam headlights, and a 360-degree drone view sensor system and ultra-high-definition rear camera.
Joshua S. Hill is a Melbourne-based journalist who has been writing about climate change, clean technology, and electric vehicles for over 15 years. He has been reporting on electric vehicles and clean technologies for Renew Economy and The Driven since 2012. His preferred mode of transport is his feet.
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