Remember, it was early 2020. At that time, Fiat lifted the veil on the all-new generation of its Fiat 500, which has been completely renewed and is now only offered as an electric version. A first for the city car, which should have taken its first steps in front of the public at the Geneva Motor Show, which ultimately did not take place. Three years have passed and the pot of yoghurt is still a huge success as Fiat announces it The 500 has never sold better than as an electric car.
And you can see that, because in May it was the second most registered car in France with this engine, just behind the Tesla Model Y and ahead of the Peugeot e-208. But the purists asked themselves one question: what will happen to Abarth? Because the official Fiat tuner works exclusively on the 500 Thermal and owes its fame to it its particularly sonorous exhaust. Doubts evaporated last year when the company sought the help of its fans to design the sound of a future electric car.
Abarth 500e // Source: Marie Lizak for Frandroid
Last November, the new Abarth 500e was finally officially presented to the general public. A hormone-containing variant, which not only attracts attention with a new look. Because the small sports car offers not only increased performance but also many improvements. But the organizer has organized another surprise for us. We had the chance to get behind the wheel of this newcomer, not only on the road but also at the Mortefontaine circuit. Discover our detailed opinion!
Technical worksheet
| Model | Abarth 500e |
|---|---|
| category | city cars |
| power (horses) | 155 hp |
| 0 to 100km/h | 7s |
| degree of autonomy | 1 |
| top speed | 155km/h |
| main screen size | 10.25 inches |
| car side socket | Type 2 combo (CCS) |
| entry price | 43000 euros |
| Price | €43,000 |
product sheet |
This test was carried out as part of a press trip organized by the brand
Design: a spicy look
Unsurprisingly, the Abarth 500e takes the overall look of the classic city car. Logical because both share the same platform, but not only. However, the wizards responsible for its development and in particular its design were not satisfied with adding a stylized scorpion on the sides and replacing the Fiat logo with that of Abarth on the bonnet. In addition to the brand name appearing above the full grille, the teams behind the city car’s design wanted to make it even more distinctive.
It goes through a new front bumper which is also equipped with a small blade, while the light signature does not change. There are no major changes on the sides except for the small scorpion on the wings. Nevertheless, it should be noted that the city car is equipped with it exclusive 17-inch rims while side skirts have been subtly added. The rear also gains character compared to the standard version, with a more visible diffuser and again decorated with a metal strip. A small roof spoiler rounds off the set.
Abarth 500e // Source: Marie Lizak for Frandroid
The manufacturer indicates that the proportions have been revised compared to the thermal Abarth 595, as this new version benefits from ita wheelbase extended by 2.4 centimeters while the tracks were widened by 6 centimeters. While this helps give it even more presence on the road, these developments are primarily aimed at improving cornering stability. However, no information was given on reducing the ground clearance.
For the time being, Abarth is not communicating about the Cx of its electric city car, which should undoubtedly be a little better than that of the standard version, which has also not been revealed. A total of five body colors are offered for the 500e, including the very nice Acid Green of our test model and poison blue. These two colors are exclusively available for this sporty variant, which can optionally also be selected with 18-inch wheels in the highest versions. Note that the Abarth 500e is available in both sedan and convertible versions.
Habitability: for two, but no more
Although its wheelbase has been slightly extended compared to the thermal version, the Abarth 500e remains a small car a length of only 3.67 meters for 1.68 meters wide and 1.52 meters high. If theoretically four people can be accommodated on board, access to the rear seats is not necessarily a matter of course. Especially since the 3+1 body offered for the Fiat 500 is not available in the Abarth range. Suffice it to say that these two places are reserved for children and short trips, because The head and leg room is very small.
Abarth 500e // Source: Marie Lizak for Frandroid
The driver and front passenger don’t have much space either, but still enough to feel comfortable. you would have understood Habitability isn’t necessarily our test model’s forte. But that’s not really surprising as it remains primarily a small city car, just like a Renault Twingo Electric or a Leapmotor T03 that we also tested a few months earlier. You should therefore not expect to find a very spacious trunk, as it offers a lot of space an oscillating volume of only 185 liters.
That’s enough for everyday use, a little less for vacation. in the driving position, Storage space is quite limited, but they are well thought out. We particularly appreciate the space below the touchscreen, where you can store your smartphone or parking tickets, for example. The center console also offers space for a few items and can be closed if necessary, which can be useful when parking, especially in the city.
Abarth 500e // Source: Marie Lizak for Frandroid
The representation of the driving position is rather flattering, especially in the Turismo version, which covers the range and which we were able to test. This is characterized in particular by its leather and Alcantara upholstery, a material that can also be found on the dashboard. The perceived quality is still very good the presence of some hard plastics here and there while the adjustments are correct. We also appreciate the green and blue stitching, which gives this interior an extra touch of sportiness, while remaining somewhat austere compared to the exuberance of the exterior.
Infotainment: still room for improvement
Unsurprisingly, the Abarth 500e is taking the heir as does the rest of the cabin the infotainment of the classic Fiat 500. We’ll find a small one 7-inch round digital instrument cluster which shows a lot of information. Maybe even a bit too much, so that you sometimes lose track. Especially since it is also customizable and packs a lot of features.
For example, you have to delve into the menus using the buttons on the steering wheel to find out how to disable the sound generator. It’s a shame because it makes the car a bit difficult to handle, especially at the start.
Abarth 500e // Source: Marie Lizak for Frandroid
This screen is linked to a 10.25 inch digital panel placed on the dashboard and with a neat and modern design. The graphics are nice to look at, but the Uconnect onboard system isn’t easy to understand either. Again, there are a few too many menus and sub-menus, reminding us of Volkswagen’s rather complicated system, which has garnered it some criticism. The system differs from the standard 500 by the addition of Dedicated pages dedicated to the Abarth Display of various performance or lap time information.
Even if the car is absolutely not bogged down in the excesses of technology, it doesn’t have to be ashamed of its competitors because it is equipped with remarkable equipmentan induction charger for smartphones. The latter is decorated with a decor depicting the skyline of Turin, where the electric city car is precisely assembled. Also a nice nod to the history of the brand! We appreciate the presence of standard USB and USB-C ports between the seats, giving occupants a choice if they don’t already have a latest-gen cable. These also allow access to Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, which also works wirelessly.
Abarth 500e // Source: Marie Lizak for Frandroid
Unfortunately, like other Stellantis models like the Jeep Avenger we tested previously, the Abarth 500e doesn’t have a route planner. It’s a shame when you consider that autonomy is still a concern for many customers, even if the city car remains primarily a car for short journeys. However, it is still equipped with a navigation system This alerts the driver when the range starts to decrease. The map also shows accessible terminals near us if needed, but that’s all.
Driving aids: the right equipment
The new Abarth 500e is available in multiple levels of execution, but only from the second the technological equipment becomes interesting. This variant, known as the “Pack”, is equipped as standard with a reversing camera, parking sensors, blind spot warning systems and automatic switching between high and low beam. Rounding out the range, the Turismo finish brings a few more elements, including Level 2 semi-autonomous driving with lane centering and adaptive cruise control.
Abarth 500e // Source: Marie Lizak for Frandroid
A totally correct fitment for the city runabout that is still on sale a fairly high price level. Unfortunately, we didn’t have time to test the autonomous driving during our short field test, but there’s no doubt that it should work in a similar way to the system in the DS 3 e-tense, which we also got to take the wheel of. at the beginning of the year.
However, we were able to test it speed controller, which worked quite well in our test. A longer distance test should allow us to better understand all these overall well-designed driver assistance systems, with the brand benefiting from the expertise of the Stellantis Group, its new parent company since 2021.
Abarth 500e // Source: Marie Lizak for Frandroid
Unlike some other family models such as the Renault Mégane E-Tech or the Kia EV6, the Abarth 500e is not equipped with a heat pump. An undoubtedly voluntary choice by the brand that relies on it mainly urban use for sports. This also limits the weight gain, which is just 1,335 kilos in the sedan and 1,360 kilos in the convertible when empty.
Driving: a real electric battery
As you know, the new Abarth 500e takes up the technical basis of the electric Fiat 500 that we have already been able to test. The city runabout had already impressed with its very well-balanced chassis, but the teams at the Italian tuner still had to make a few changes to make the sports car even more dynamic. To do this, the teams first widened the tracks and lengthened the wheelbase, as we have already seen. But as you can imagine, that’s not all that has been done to improve the behavior of the small pot of Watté yogurt. Actually Permanent magnet synchronous electric motor The engine installed at the front also benefited from a small increase in output.
Abarth 500e // Source: Marie Lizak for Frandroid
In fact, power increases from 118 hp in the most powerful version of the city car to 155 hp, while torque increases to 235 Nm, which is always immediately available. It goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 7 seconds, while the top speed is limited to 155 km/h. But frankly, that’s more than enough for a car designed primarily for urban use. However, we were able to pick it up on the country roads of the Paris region to test its behavior. And it’s generally satisfactory, as is the ideal riding position for short riders. The steering wheel is adjustable in height and depth and that makes all the difference.
Abarth 500e // Source: Marie Lizak for Frandroid
Considerable work has been done on amortization, which is much more flexible than the 595 Thermal, which is known to hurt its passengers’ backs. That’s not the case here, as the suspensions are very balanced and offer a good compromise between comfort and handling. This is also made possible by the location of the batteries under the floor of the vehicle, lowering the center of gravity and reducing body roll. If the steering is very flexible, we would have liked a little more precision with a sporty driving style, for example when the Scorpion mode is activated. Note that the Turismo configuration, which must involve single-pedal driving and heavy regenerative braking, limits performance.
Abarth 500e // Source: Marie Lizak for Frandroid
At the Mortefontaine circuit we were also able to take the wheel of the Abarth 500e to make better use of it at higher speeds. The possibility of discovering an overall satisfactory behavior in the corners, despite a certain tendency to understeer. We regret that too The front axle is a bit soft and lacks responsivenesswhile the weight distribution of 57/43% is very important and gives the car an efficiency gain.
However, we must not forget that this is more of a dynamic city car than a true sports car, and breaking speed records at the wheel will not be relevant. Especially since with honest acceleration the sensations subside after 100 km/h, which, however, is the case with many small electric cars.
After all, it’s impossible not to mention that digital tone generator, designed by Abarth teams and in the form of a speaker installed under the car. While not strictly necessary, it’s still an illusion, especially at low revs. It’s a shame, however, that disabling it is so complicated as you have to navigate the digital handset’s menus and the car comes to a complete standstill. Hopefully an update will fix this bug.
Autonomy, battery and charging: autonomy a little too low
The new Abarth 500e uses the platform of the Fiat 500 and logically inherits its NCM (nickel-cobalt-manganese) battery, albeit only the largest. This indicates a Capacity of 42 kWh gross, and has not changed one iota compared to the basic version. With a weight of 294.3 kilograms on the scales, the sporty city runabout then maintains its own weight, which is shown as empty at just 1.36 tons. A number that is definitely applicable for an electric car. But the decision not to have offered the city car a larger battery still has a downside in terms of autonomy.
In fact, the increase in performance also increases consumption, especially with a sporty driving style. In fact we found it an average of around 16.5 kWh/100 kilometers in the mixed circuit. For comparison, the standard Fiat 500e claims a consumption of 14 kWh/100 km in its version with the same 42 kWh battery. Abarth specifies 17 kWh/100 km here. The range must therefore inevitably suffer, since according to the WLTP certification it only shows 242 kilometers in the combined cycle. Compared to 322 kilometers for the standard version.
Abarth 500e // Source: Marie Lizak for Frandroid
A fairly low value that puts the Square, with a range of 222 or 231 kilometers, in direct competition with the Honda E and the Mini Cooper SE. With a sportier driving style and on faster roads, our consumption was rather low around 18 kWh/100 kilometers, which is quite high for such a small car. Especially since single-pedal driving is disabled in Scorpion Track mode, the most “radical” mode offered by the manufacturer. As mentioned above, the Abarth 500e does not have a heat pump.
The sporty city runabout is included as standard an 11 kW on-board charger This allows him to charge his battery in 4 hours and 15 minutes from an outlet. With a maximum output of 85 kW, the transalpine city car can also be charged quickly. In this case it must be counted 35 minutes from 0 to 80% DC power on a fast connector.
Price and competition: many competitors
The new Abarth 500e recently unveiled its price range following its special introductory Scorpionissima series. It is necessary to count at least 36,900 euros for the entry-level equipmentThese include 17-inch rims, navigation on the 10.25-inch screen or even fabric and technoprene upholstery. The Turismo convertible version of our test, which covers the standard range, starts at 44,300 euros. In any case, the city runabout is still entitled to the eco-bonus of 5,000 euros.
Abarth 500e // Source: Marie Lizak for Frandroid
The small sports car chases right on the premises of the Mini Cooper SE, which indicates a ticket from 37,400 euros. With a peak output of 184 hp, it also has higher performance and larger dimensions. For our little yoghurt pot too, the Honda E is a top competitor a basic price of 42,100 euros and a power of 154 hp. The Japanese city car has interesting equipment, including heated front seats, keyless opening and starting and the Honda Parking Pilot.
Among the competitors of this new Abarth 500e we can also mention the Peugeot e-208, available in the entry-level Like version from 34,800 euros. At this price, the city car has a power output of 136 hp and a 50 kWh battery a range of 340 kilometers after the WLTP cycle. We also think of the Smart #1, which starts at 40,315 euros with 272 hp and a range of 420 kilometers, as well as the Renault Twingo E-Tech. This is displayed from 25,250 euros, but only delivers 82 hp and has a range of 190 kilometers in the combined driving cycle.