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The electric Abarth — a stronger electric motor, aggressive styling, and an external speaker that plays simulated engine sounds. Performance meets electric efficiency with the Scorpion badge.
Search Our Stock ❯The Abarth 500e is a bold experiment—a performance electric car wrapped in Abarth's aggressive styling and branding. Launched in 2023, it uses Fiat's electric platform (shared with the standard 500e) but tuned for sport: 155 bhp, instant 220 Nm torque, lowered suspension, and an external speaker system that plays synthesised engine sounds. It's the first fully electric Abarth, and it represents the brand's evolution for an emissions-conscious future.
The Abarth 500e uses a single front-mounted electric motor rated at 155 bhp and delivering 220 Nm of torque instantaneously. This is a 30 bhp power bump over the standard Fiat 500e (125 bhp), achieved through controller tuning rather than a different motor. That constant, immediate torque means the Abarth feels genuinely quick off the line—0 to 62 mph in 7.0 seconds is respectable, and 0-30 mph acceleration feels sharper than the numbers suggest.
Real-world driving confirms this impression. The electric motor's instant response creates a feeling of quickness that the 155 bhp figure alone doesn't convey. Overtaking in urban traffic is easy and safe. On motorway merges, the acceleration is adequate but not thrilling (unlike a turbo petrol car, there's a plateau at high speeds). Top speed is electronically limited to 160 mph, a safety measure for battery thermal management.
The 42 kWh battery (usable capacity) sits in the floor between the wheels, typical of modern EV architecture. Officially, it provides 155 miles of WLTP range—realistic for European combined driving. Real-world range depends heavily on driving style and temperatures. Gentle urban driving with regenerative braking engaged yields 160-180 miles; motorway cruising at 70 mph cuts this to 120-140 miles; cold weather (below 5°C) reduces range by 15-20%. Abarth buyers may drive more aggressively, so budget 130-150 miles realistic range.
The battery is an LG-sourced unit with active thermal management (heating/cooling the pack for optimal performance). Degradation is typical for EV batteries—expect 2-3% loss per 100,000 miles over the first few years. Battery warranty covers 8 years or 160,000 km (whichever comes first), with a guarantee that capacity won't fall below 70%.
Home charging with a 7 kW wallbox (Level 2, single-phase) takes 6 hours for a full 0-100% charge. A standard 3-pin household socket (2 kW) takes around 20 hours—impractical for daily use. For practical ownership, a home wallbox is essential (installation costs £500-1,500).
Public rapid charging (50 kW DC) adds 80% charge in 35 minutes, ideal for longer trips. Ultra-rapid chargers (150+ kW) exist but don't significantly benefit the 500e due to battery thermal limits—charging speed plateaus around 50 kW at the mid-state-of-charge where owners spend most charging time. A 22 kW public charger adds 50% in 45 minutes.
This is the Abarth 500e's most divisive feature. An external speaker mounted below the bumper generates synthesised engine sounds—engine growl on acceleration, a somewhat artificial turbo whistle, and gear-change pops on overrun (mimicking sport mode dynamics in the motor controller). The sound is programmable through the infotainment system.
Opinions split into two camps. Some owners love it—the sound adds fun and character to an otherwise silent EV, replicating the Abarth brand's core identity. Others find it cheesy and prefer the futuristic quietness of electric motoring. The sounds are audible inside and outside the car (roughly 75 dB at 3 metres), which means Abarth 500e owners will definitely attract attention, for better or worse. Turning the sounds off is a button press away if it becomes tiresome.
The 500e platform uses MacPherson strut front suspension and a torsion beam rear—pedestrian engineering. Abarth lowers this setup by 10 mm, stiffening springs and dampers, and adds a sport-tuned anti-roll bar. The result is impressively planted handling for a city car. Body roll is controlled, cornering grip is strong, and the low centre of gravity (battery pack mounted low) helps. It won't out-handle a petrol Abarth 695, but it's far more capable than the standard Fiat 500e.
Brakes use a conventional ventilated disc design with regenerative braking integrated. The regenerative system recaptures energy under braking, improving range by 15-20% depending on driving style (urban driving with frequent braking recovers more energy than motorway cruising). The mechanical brake system handles emergency stops and hill-holding. Brake feel is initially disconcerting for owners unused to EVs—there's a point of engagement where regeneration kicks in, then a transition to friction brakes. After a few days, most drivers adapt.
Inside, the Abarth 500e mirrors the standard electric 500 but with sportier trim. Sport seats (firmer than standard) with red stitching, a flat-bottom steering wheel, and metallic pedals set the tone. The 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system (8.8 inches on higher specs) includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though the interface lags compared to competitors. Climate control is standard.
Notably, the Abarth 500e adds a "Sound Designer" app where owners can customize the external speaker's sound profile—choose between three preset sound signatures, adjust volume, or disable it entirely. This may seem gimmicky until you realize it allows owners to express their preference for Abarth character.
One omission: no sunroof. The standard Fiat 500e offers a glass roof; Abarth skips it, trading height for aerodynamics. The interior remains spacious enough for two adults and kids, though the 185-litre boot hasn't grown.
In a straight 0-62 mph sprint, a petrol Abarth 595 (145 bhp) edges the 500e slightly. But on tight roads and in urban driving, the electric motor's instant torque creates a different sensation. The 500e feels quicker in the 0-40 mph zone where city driving happens. Overtaking from 50-70 mph, the petrol car pulls harder due to higher power. On a racetrack, the petrol Abarth would win—it has more sustained power and higher top speed. For daily driving, the 500e's performance is adequate and feels sharper than its specs suggest.
The Abarth 500e suits drivers with access to home charging and consistent urban/regional use. Someone commuting 40 miles daily, charging overnight at home, and taking occasional long trips on public charging will find it practical. A driver with no home charging or high annual mileage (20,000+ miles) should reconsider—relying on public chargers is more time-consuming and expensive than petrol.
Road tax exemption (EVs pay £0 first year, then £165 standard rate) saves £165 annually. Electricity costs roughly £0.04 per mile (UK average grid rates), compared to £0.12-0.15 per mile for petrol. Over 15,000 annual miles, that's a £1,200-1,650 annual saving on fuel alone. Servicing is simpler—no oil changes, fewer moving parts, longer brake pad life due to regeneration. A full service costs £150-200 at Fiat dealers, about half the petrol car cost.
The Abarth 500e maintains aggressive styling with lowered suspension, sport bumpers, and large alloy wheels—the only clue it's electric is the absence of an exhaust.
Battery degradation is slow. Most EV batteries retain 90-95% capacity after 5 years/80,000 km. After 10 years, expect 80-85% capacity remaining—still usable for daily driving. The warranty covers defects and excessive degradation (below 70% capacity), giving owners peace of mind. Real-world examples of first-generation 500e models show degradation tracking at roughly 2-3% per 50,000 miles, well within acceptable ranges.
Abarth 500e buyers should check:
The 500e is Abarth's declaration that performance is not exclusive to combustion engines. Fiat has committed to electrifying the Abarth range—expect turbocharged petrol Abarths to fade within 5 years. The 500e is the first step, proving that instant electric torque and sharp handling can satisfy performance enthusiasts. Future Abarths will likely emphasize acceleration, handling, and driving engagement rather than exhaust notes.
Scorpion badge, zero emissions. Browse our Abarth 500e stock.
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