Efficiency & Charging
5.5/10
Performance & Driving Dynamics
7.5/10
Interior & Technology
6.5/10
Practicality & Usability
4.5/10
Value & Running Costs
6/10
Overall
6/10
Overview
The Abarth 500e adapts the iconic Italian sports brand to the electric age with a hot-hatch development of the Fiat 500 Electric. It is available as both a standard three-door hatchback and as a fabric-roofed convertible, giving up sheer practicality in favour of a lively dynamic character and a brash personality that will be well suited to life on city streets and through tight B-roads.
Design
Building upon the retro-modern shape of the standard Fiat 500 Electric, the Abarth version bares a drastically more aggressive aesthetic. The exterior styling includes a deeper front bumper, side skirts, a new rear diffuser and the option of unique 17-inch or 18-inch alloy wheels on the Abarth version. The vehicle's classic Chrome detailing has been replaced by a titanium grey theme and the rear branding of the iconic scorpion has been updated to include an electrified lightning bolt across the car. The front of the car has striking split LED head-lamps and the transparent indicator protrusions echo classic design features.
Interior
The cabin raises the status of the Fiat's interior design by offering a highly driver-oriented premium interior layout. The basic model is offered with the Matte Grey dashboard while the high-end models feature Alcantara upholstery, along with sports aluminum pedals. The driving seat is low and secure, and consists of high-back front bucket seats with built-in headrests and contrasting stitching. The 3-spoke sports steering wheel encircles a 7-inch TFT instrument cluster screen with a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system supporting wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Performance & Powertrains
The FWD model is equipped with a 42 kWh lithium-ion battery and an enhanced electric motor generating 152 hp and 235 Nm of instant torque, making it possible for the 1,410 kg hatchback to accelerate from 0 to 62 mph within 7.0 seconds and hit a maximum speed of 96 mph. The driving range in combination amounts to only 157 miles, reaching up to just 208 miles in urban environments. The vehicle offers drivers a choice among 3 distinct driving modes: Turismo mode, where outputs are slightly limited, Scorpion Street mode providing optimal performance with heavy regenerative braking, and Scorpion Track mode that unlocks the full potential of the vehicle with minimal energy recovery. The rapid charging capacity amounts to a maximum of 85 kW, meaning that 10% to 80% charging takes around 25 minutes. There is also a switchable built-in external Acoustic Vehicle Alert System sound generator mimicking the sound of an Abarth's petrol engine exhaust system.
Practicality
As an automobile built in a compact size, the small space remaining is allocated to the front seats, thus making the 2 rear seats suitable only for shorter journeys and small kids. Getting into the rear seats calls for the movement of the front seats forwards, resulting in a narrow entry that is even more restricted when talking about the convertible version, owing to the small size of the boot that opens upwards. The luggage capacity of the boot measures 185 liters with the seats upright and can be expanded up to 550 liters in case of folding the rear seats.
Buying
The starting price of the base Abarth 500e is at £27,995, but choosing the higher Turismo trim levels costs more, and choosing the Convertible variant, costs about £3,000 more. By getting into the Turismo version, the car will get 18-inch diamond-cut alloys, heated Alcantara sports seats, a 360-degree parking camera system, blind-spot detection, and a wireless phone charger. The cheapest setup suggested by EV Hub should be your choice for the best value. But there are many other better competitors in the same class like the Renault Twingo E-Tech, Alpine A290, or Cupra Raval VZ.