How the Abarth 500e proves EVs can be fun

You know the saying that not all superheroes wear capes. Well the same can be applied to Italian sports cars… they don’t all have to be red.

They can also be green, both literally in colour (very, very, bright green in fact) and metaphorically in terms of their carbon footprint, like the Abarth 500e.

It’s the first dedicated electric hot hatch from Fiat’s iconic performance car sub-brand that promises to continue the brand’s legacy of maximum fun while driving forward into a zero-emission future.

So, let’s check it out…

The Abarth 500e is available in Australia in a single top-spec model grade, the Scorpionissima from $43,990 driveaway.

Now, that’s a fairly big chunk of change for a small car, but the Abarth delivers where it counts with ‘shockingly fast’ performance, unmistakable Italian style and the latest in digital technology.

The Abarth 500e accentuates the redesigned iconic Fiat 500e with a host of exclusive performance upgrades, starting with unique front and rear bumpers and 18-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels that give it a more aggressive stance and distinctive appearance.

There’s also Abarth badging on the nose and hatchback, plus sporty side decals that run between the front and rear axles. The suspension has also been upgraded for a sportier dynamic character too.

Inside the cabin, the Abarth 500e features bespoke premium sports bucket seats that are trimmed in a mixture of leather and Alcantara with Abarth’s trademark Scorpion logo embossed on each headrest.

The front seats are also heated, the steering wheel is matched with the same trim and the dashboard is wrapped in Alcantara too.

On top of that, the Abarth 500e has a generous list of standard equipment that includes dual-zone climate control, keyless entry with push button start, and a twin digital display set-up that pairs a 7.0-inch TFT instrument cluster in front of the driver with a 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen floating above the centre console.

In the latter, it incorporates a six-speaker audio system from renowned hi-fi specialists, JBL, with wireless smartphone mirroring for Apple and Android devices, DAB+ digital radio, embedded sat-nab and Bluetooth connectivity, plus a wireless phone charging pad and three USB power outlets.

The Abarth 500e is available in two standout colour choices, Acid Green and Poison Blue.

Opening the Abarth 500e’s doors reveals a fun, motorsport-inspired cockpit that is not only stylish but surprisingly practical for a car of its size.

The Alcantara trim across the dash, steering wheel and seat cushions is a charming nod to Abarth’s championship-winning heritage at the pinnacle of rallying and also brings a sense of luxurious tactility to key touch points. As do the aluminium pedals, which feature grippy rubber cross hatchings and the scorpion logo.

The digital instrument cluster is bright and displays all the information necessary for the driver through a range of themes depending on the drive mode, Turismo, Scorpion Street and Scorpion Track.

The infotainment screen is easy to access and runs the latest iteration of the Uconnect interface, which has a logical menu structure.

And it’s nice to have a row of physical buttons to adjust the climate control functions.

Around the cabin, there’s a practical array of small item storage solutions including the wireless phone charging pad with a grippy base (and a silhouette of the Turin skyline embossed on it, as a design Easter Egg), decent door pockets, twin cupholders and a deep centre cubby with a sliding lid.

The front seats offer excellent lateral support when whipping around the corners, yet are also comfortable for long journeys, and there’s plenty of adjustment in the driving position to suit all types of drivers with excellent vision through the expansive glasshouse.

The Abarth’s iconic style provides decent headroom for taller occupants in the front, and the glass panoramic roof amplifies the sense of space with extra light filling the cabin.

The back seats can accommodate two adults at a pinch with easy access via bright straps on the front buckets. But it is fairly tight back there and best suited for small kids or short trips.

And the boot has enough space for a couple of day bags or the weekly groceries, but not much more.

As part of the Fiat 500e range, the Abarth model scores a four-star ANCAP rating and comes with a comprehensive array of advanced driver aids and six airbags.

This includes autonomous emergency braking, lane keeping assistance, blind spot warning, driver monitoring, traffic sign recognition, tyre pressure monitoring and a reverse camera with front and rear parking sensors.

Following in the wheeltracks of petrol-powered predecessors, the Abarth 500e is an upgraded version of the standard Fiat 500e with additional performance.

As a result, it features a more powerful front-mounted electric motor that produces 113kW of power and 235Nm of torque, up from 87kW and 220Nm in the regular 500e, which can propel it from 0-100km/h in seven seconds, which is faster than many of its petrol-powered hot hatch rivals.

The full power is available in the two Scorpion drive modes (Street and Track) while the default Turismo setting limits outputs to 100kW and 220Nm to help extend the driving range.

Speaking of which, the Abarth 500e has a 42kWh lithium-ion battery pack that provides around 253km of driving range. The battery can be replenished between 0-80 per cent in around 35 minutes on a maximum 85kW DC fast charger.

But the real party trick is the Abarth Sound Generator, which uses physical recordings of the petrol-powered Abarth 695 with its thrilling Record Monza exhaust system to simulate the experience, both inside and outside the cabin. It’s an engaging element that adds a sense of fun and character missing from other electric vehicles.

Like all Fiat models, the Abarth 500e is covered by a factory three-year/150,000km warranty while the battery is guaranteed for eight years and 160,000km.

Fiat provides the first year of roadside assistance for free, and will renew the annual membership each year, for the lifetime of the vehicle, if it is maintained through its official dealer network.

The Abarth 500e requires servicing every 12 months or 15,000km, and is capped at $300 per annum for up to 10 years.

The Abarth 500e is a perfect and playful second car for rallying around the city.

It oozes all the flair and charm of an expensive Italian supercar in a bright and compact bubble of style. Yet it does so without breaking the bank or the environment.

If anything, the Abarth 500e proves that electric cars can be as much fun to drive, if not more, than its predecessors. The future is bright. And green.

Now is the perfect time to take one for a test drive. Explore more about the Abarth 500e today.

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