PROS ›› Cute styling, agile dealing with, enjoyable to drive, normal Bridgestones provide bucketloads of grip CONS ›› Restricted vary, very expensive, impractical, exhausting to justify over a number of the competitors
The Abarth 500 collection is likely one of the most recognizable sporty small vehicles launched up to now twenty years. Whereas it might lack the brute energy of some bigger sizzling hatches, its diminutive measurement and nimbleness have earned it a singular place in its class, making it a favourite for driving fans who worth agility over outright velocity.
The all-electric 500e retains a lot of the identical attraction as its inside combustion sibling. Though it carries extra weight on account of its battery pack, it stays simply as compact and maneuverable. Nonetheless, the query looms: does it possess the suitable mix of efficiency and character to dwell as much as its predecessors, or is it a misstep from Stellantis, the automotive juggernaut that’s preventing for survival in an ever-evolving market?
QUICK FACTS
A dear proposal
It’s inconceivable to speak in regards to the Abarth 500e with out first discussing the value. In Australia, it begins at AU$58,900 (~$38,100) earlier than on-road prices. In comparison with the common Fiat 500 La Prima that originally launched at AU$52,500 (~$33,900) however has since been diminished to AU$49,990 (~$32,300), that’s not unhealthy worth for cash, given the entire upgrades made to the Abarth model.
Nonetheless, the Abarth 500e doesn’t symbolize such good worth for cash when in comparison with different sporty EVs on the market. As an illustration, the extra sensible MG 4 X Energy, boasting 320 kW (429 hp), begins at AU$59,990 ($38,800). Equally priced are the bigger Cupra Born, additionally starting at AU$59,990 ($38,800), and the Chinese language Ora GT, which is available in at a extra reasonably priced AU$46,990 ($30,400).
Moreover, a variety of larger and roomier electrical sedans and SUVs, such because the BYD Seal and Tesla Mannequin Y, additionally begin across the AU$60,000 ($38,800) mark. Contemplating the Abarth’s considerably smaller measurement in comparison with these alternate options, one would possibly moderately anticipate a cheaper price level.
Abarth continues to promote the combustion-powered 695 alongside the 500e and it too is less expensive. The truth is, it begins at AU$38,900 (~$25,100), all whereas packing extra grunt than the EV, trying simply as sporty and having the identical tiny footprint. Has Abarth performed something to make the 500e really feel worthy of its hefty price ticket?
What adjustments have been made?
To begin, Abarth has overhauled the outside design and performed a nice job of it. The entrance finish has been tweaked to look far more aggressive than the usual mannequin, and when painted in Acid Inexperienced like our check automotive, the 500e turns heads in a manner that few different automobiles at this worth level can. Offering some further aptitude are 18-inch wheels, Scorpion badges on the rear quarter panels, and a beefy rear finish that appears suitably sporty for a mannequin with an Abarth badge.
Learn: Abarth Is Finished With ICE, Eyes A Bigger Electrical SUV
Then there’s the efficiency. Just like the common 500e, the Abarth is powered by a single electrical motor driving the entrance wheels. Nonetheless, whereas the usual mannequin is capped at 87 kW (117 hp) and 220 Nm (162 lb-ft) of torque, the Abarth ups the ante with 114 kW (153 hp) and 235 Nm (173 lb-ft). Driving the front-mounted motor is a 42 kWh battery, and Abarth says the tiny hatch can hit 100 km/h (62 mph) in a good 7 seconds.
Images Brad Anderson/Carscoops
A nicer however cramped cabin
Loads of adjustments have been made to the inside, too. Unsurprisingly, it’s simply as compact as the usual mannequin however feels barely extra premium due to a slew of nicer supplies. These embody black Alcantara on the steering wheel and dashboard, shiny blue and inexperienced distinction stitching, and outstanding Abarth emblems on the steering wheel and pedals. A set of sports activities seats comes normal, they usually, too, embody a pleasant mixture of Alcantara and leather-based.
Sadly, and very similar to the petrol-powered 695, the seats of the 500e are mounted manner too excessive, leading to an odd driving place for a sporty hatch like this. This additionally limits headroom, and at 6’2”, my hair would sometimes brush in opposition to the ceiling. It’s additionally a disgrace the Abarth has the identical flimsy and wafer-thin sunshade for the glass roof as the usual mannequin. It does a poor job of blocking the solar and an excellent poorer job of blocking undesirable warmth from getting into the cabin.
Regardless of the automotive’s compact measurement, storage is respectable. There are moderately spacious door pockets, a wi-fi cellphone charger, and a surprisingly deep middle console. The shortage of a tunnel between the entrance seats additionally provides to the practicality.
Discovered within the middle of the sprint is a ten.25-inch infotainment system that features wi-fi and wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Nonetheless, wi-fi Android Auto proved troublesome throughout our week with the automotive. On greater than a dozen events, the system unexpectedly disconnected from my cellphone whereas driving. It will shortly reconnect however after 10 or quarter-hour, would disconnect as soon as once more. It was extra secure when utilizing a USB-C cable, but it surely nonetheless dropped out a few occasions.
The 7-inch digital instrument cluster is nicer. It’s clear and crisp and presents a slew of various show settings.
The second row is tight and never appropriate for adults. Even youngsters will battle to get again there. We wouldn’t go so far as to say the rear seats are ineffective however they serve little or no goal apart from to ferry young children round, one thing which we suspect few Abarth homeowners do. It’d be good if Abarth supplied an choice to take away the rear seats, as it will assist to make the compact trunk just a little extra sensible.
A punchy performer
Driving the Abarth 500e in a bunch of various environments reveals loads of perks, in addition to a number of faults. In a straight line, it’s spritely sufficient that it’s important to brace your neck when accelerating or threat slamming your head into the headrest. The place the 500e shines, although, is in dealing with.
Images Brad Anderson/Carscoops
Tipping the scales at 1,335 kg (2,943 lbs), it’s not precisely a featherweight given its measurement. Nonetheless, the brief wheelbase and low middle of gravity make it really feel like a circa 1,000 kg (2,200 lbs) automotive. The steering is mild and direct, making the Abarth heaps of enjoyable to toss within the turns. It does really feel just a little numb to steer, however that’s to be anticipated for the revised electrical energy steering.
The grip is excellent. Aussie-delivered examples come normal with Bridgestone Potenza Sport tires, one of many higher extremely excessive efficiency summer time sneakers in the marketplace. The entrance finish presents loads of chunk, and it’s straightforward to push the tires to the restrict of adhesion with out exceeding it. It appears like a ferocious French bulldog, clawing on the pavement and sprinting away on the nook exit. The brakes are additionally very spectacular, although they’re fairly small.
Images Brad Anderson/Carscoops
Effectivity is one other one of many 500e’s robust fits. Abarth says the hatch can journey as much as 253 km (157 miles) on a single cost, a good determine when you think about it solely has a 42 kWh pack. Throughout our time with the important thing, which included a number of ~60 km (37 miles) jaunts, we averaged 13.3 kWh / 100 km, making it one of many extra environment friendly EVs we’ve examined and nearly matching the usual Fiat 500e.
Assessment: The Fiat 500e Assessment Is A Trendy EV However At What Price?
A trio of driving modes are supplied. For on a regular basis driving, the Abarth is greatest left in Turismo mode, which slows the throttle response and activates one-pedal driving. A Scorpion Avenue mode can be supplied. It makes the hatch really feel far more responsive whereas retaining the one-pedal mode. The fiercest mode is Scorpion Monitor, which feels similar to Scorpion Avenue however considerably reduces the regenerative braking.
The overly agency experience was a little bit of a letdown. As somebody who each day drives a Renault Megane RS, a sizzling hatch recognized for having a agency experience, I’m used to some stage of harshness on the street, however the Abarth 500e is noticeably stiffer, not solely in comparison with my Megane RS however others at this worth level. The optimistic of the suspension setup is that the automotive has little or no roll whereas cornering.
Foolish sounds
Engineers from Abarth spent over 6,000 hours growing a Sound System Generator for the 500e designed to duplicate the sounds of its ICE-powered fashions. It’s… attention-grabbing, to say the least.
The sound generated from the exterior speaker is kind of natural and does a greater job of replicating a combustion engine than the artificial soundtrack utilized by the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N. Nonetheless, it’s removed from excellent, which makes me marvel simply how exhausting these engineers have been working throughout these 6,000 hours.
My largest criticism of the system is instantly obvious whenever you begin driving the 500e with the sound turned on. Whereas accelerating, having a thumping soundtrack provides to the fun of driving the automotive. Nonetheless, when you hit the velocity restrict and begin cruising, the speaker continues to pump out an exhaust word simply as loud as whenever you’re accelerating. It’s as for those who’re sitting on the high of 2nd gear in an ICE automotive and nearly bumping into the rev limiter.
By comparability, the Ioniq 5 N’s pretend sounds work along with the augmented eight-speed transmission, that means you may manually go into ‘eighth gear’ and restrict the sounds. The Hyundai additionally presents 20 completely different ranges of sound output, whereas the Abarth solely has one.
Activating the exterior audio system can be a ache. The setting is buried inside the gauge cluster and requires a number of faucets to search out. We will forgive Abarth for this, as burying drive settings in clusters and infotainment shows has turn into commonplace throughout the trade. Nonetheless, the settings menu wanted to entry the speaker management is barely accessible when the automotive is stationary, not whenever you’re on the transfer. Meaning the soundtrack can solely be turned on or off when the automotive is stopped.
Verdict
The Abarth 500e does have its attraction, because it’s genuinely enjoyable to drive, grips the street like a caffeinated gecko, and has the form of seems to be that make heads flip. However let’s not beat across the bush: it’s exorbitantly costly. With a AU$20,000 ($12,800) premium over the ICE-powered Abarth 695, it’s exhausting to not see this as Stellantis banking on model loyalty whereas leaving consumers to soak up the monetary punch. After which there’s the competitors—extra sensible, better-equipped EVs in the identical worth vary that depart the 500e feeling like a shiny toy with a sky-high price ticket. Enjoyable? Positive. Value it? That’s a tougher promote.
