‘Evil’ Abarth 600e could come to Oz

Italian car-maker Fiat and its high-performance arm Abarth have plenty in store for Aussie buyers over the next 12 months, with at least three new models under consideration for the local market.

Despite confirmation from Stellantis executives that production of petrol-powered Fiat and Abarth hatchbacks would cease by mid-2024 as the brand goes all-EV from 2025, Fiat Australia is keen to flesh out its product portfolio.

In the short-term, Abarth’s local operation is looking to import the petrol-powered 2024 Abarth 695 75° Anniversario later this year as a swansong for the combustion-powered hot hatch, adding Koni dampers, Brembo brakes and a righteous black and gold colour scheme.

But it’s the Abarth 600e that will really whet the appetites of the Abarthisti, given it’s significantly more powerful and faster than the just-launched Abarth 500e and its petrol-powered cousins.

Based on the Fiat 600, which is unlikely to be offered in Australia, the Abarth 600e hot hatch version could be a starter in Australia, just as niche models like the Renault Megane RS, Ford Fiesta ST and Hyundai i20 N were sold here in the absence of their donor models.

Boasting a more muscular 177kW than the Abarth 500e’s 114kW, along with sports suspension, performance brakes, a limited-slip differential and Formula E-derived tyres, the Abarth 600e would provide the brand with two product offerings in Australia.

But Stellantis Australia’s product manager for small and compact cars, Bridget Thomson, told carsales there was nothing to confirm today.

When it was first revealed, Abarth described the limited-run 600e Scorpionissima as having an ‘evil’ essence because of its Hypnotic Purple paint job, 20-inch alloy wheels and retro front-end design.

It was previously understood that Australia wouldn’t get the fiery new electric hot hatch given Australia’s designation as a ‘low-volume’ right-hand drive market.

When asked to clarify the company’s position, the Stellantis exec wouldn’t rule out the Abarth 600e’s local introduction and said it was incorrect to assume the pint-size performance car would be denied entry to Australia.

If the Abarth 500e finds favour with Aussie buyers, it will no doubt improve the Abarth 600e’s local business case.

At the other end of the spectrum, cheaper entry-level versions of the Fiat 500e electric hatch have also been mooted for the Australian marketplace.

“Nothing to confirm or deny today but, as always, we definitely couldn’t rule anything out,” said Thomson of a more affordable electric bambino.

Just the one ‘La Prima’ Fiat 500e model grade is currently available Down Under, priced at $52,500 plus on-road costs.

That’s almost double the price of the petrol-powered Fiat 500 Dolcevita, which will remain on sale here for $27,220 plus ORCs until the end of 2024.

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