The Abarth 500e is a hi-vis electric vehicle that has the potential to revolutionize the hot hatch segment. In the first month of testing the Abarth 500e, the author highlights the irony of downsizing from a large Volkswagen ID Buzz to the compact supermini. While the Abarth may not have as much storage space as the VW, its compact proportions make it well-suited for city life. It easily fits into tight parking spaces and can maneuver through traffic with ease. The Abarth’s small size also makes it agile and fun to drive on twisty roads.
However, the author acknowledges that reaching those good roads may be a challenge due to the limited range of the Abarth 500e. Clearing the M25 alone takes up about 15% of the battery, which means frequent charging is necessary for longer trips. Despite this drawback, the author believes that the Abarth 500e’s performance and agility may justify its premium price over its Fiat-badged counterpart.
One controversial feature of the Abarth 500e is its artificial sound generator, which emits a synthesized version of the petrol-powered Abarth 595’s exhaust note. While some find it fun, others consider it unnecessary or annoying. The author personally turns it off, as it becomes embarrassing to be heard revving the engine of an electric car. However, the author questions whether Abarth needed to rely on such superficialities to add character and whimsy to the vehicle.
In terms of design, the Abarth 500e stands out with its bold and eye-catching appearance. It is unlikely to be lost in a sea of gray cars in a supermarket parking lot. The author has already attracted attention while driving it down the high street and believes that it has more road presence than some high-powered sports cars.
Despite its small size, the Abarth 500e comes with a hefty price tag of £38,795. This raises the question of whether it can justify its cost compared to other hot hatches like the Ford Focus ST. The author plans to explore this further in the coming months.
In a second opinion, another reviewer expresses their liking for the Abarth 500e as a runabout that adds excitement to B-roads. However, they note that as an electric hot hatch, it lacks some exuberance and question the value of the scorpion badge over the base Fiat model.
Overall, the Abarth 500e shows promise as a future hot hatch with its compact size, agility, and eye-catching design. However, its limited range and premium price tag may pose challenges in justifying its appeal to potential buyers.
