Wapcar Automotive News – The 2023 Abarth 500e is confirmed to debut in Australia next year as the new compact performance sedan puts an electric sting in the scorpion’s tail to battle the Cupra Born and the GWM Ora Good Cat GT.
For the first time in its more than 70-year history, iconic Italian performance brand Abarth has launched an all-electric model, in the form of the new Abarth 500e.
Powered by a 42kWh battery pack and a single 114kW/235Nm electric motor, the front-wheel-drive compact performance hatch is claimed by the manufacturers to offer improved dynamics over the Abarth 695 powered by the internal combustion engine it replaced.
While this is clearly a design evolution of the upcoming 695 (based on the Fiat 500), car watchers will notice the new front bumper (which incorporates a white fender/splitter) , modified side skirts, reworked diffuser, unique 18-inch alloy wheels and titanium rims Gray exterior mirror caps. The lighting system is now full LED.
The claimed acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h is 7.0 seconds, and three driving modes are available: ‘Turismo’ (reduces power to 100 kW/220 Nm for smoother acceleration and improved efficiency). Regenerative braking) and maximum attack ‘Scorpion Track’, minimal adjustment of driver aids.
The 500e has an 85 kW battery charging system, Abarth claims (with enough power input from the charger) that 40 km will be available in five minutes and 80% of the available battery capacity after 35 minutes. The claimed autonomy is 320 km.
With the switch from combustion to electricity, one element that was missing was engine noise, and Abarth’s engineering experts introduced a “live-sounding experience” to replace it. For example, turning a car on or off generates a string of guitars inside the cabin, and “AVAS” (Audio Vehicle Alert System) receives a specific “jingle”.
The first time you exceed 20 km/h, the “guitar scratch” reappears, while traditionalists can set the “Sound Generator” to what the manufacturer calls a “roar” The unmistakable Abarth, faithfully reproduces the sound of the Abarth petrol engine”.
Time will tell whether an aggregate estimate pleases brand followers. But Fiat and Abarth CEO Olivier Francois is confident he will, saying “you might ask ‘why electric?’ Well, basically, it was the performance that made us do it: in fact, every modification made to the Abarth is aimed at achieving the best driving performance.
“That’s exactly how our founder, Carlo Abarth, always did. So from this point of view, let’s say nothing has changed: better acceleration, better handling, and more fun. And then there’s Abarth’s legendary signature: his sound,” he said.
To launch the new car, Abarth built in 1949 (Carlo Abarth founded the company in 1949) the 500th Scorpionissima.
Offered in hatchback and convertible form, the Launch Edition comes complete with a choice of ‘Acid Blue’ or ‘Poison Blue’ with specific Alcantara-upholstered sport seats (synthetic suede is also applied to the steering wheel and dashboard).
Scorpionissima also includes a 10.25-inch multimedia touchscreen, 7.0-inch digital control panel, and premium JBL audio.
Interestingly, the Abarth 500e is like a work of fan fiction as the company claims to be in dialogue with 160,000 “nationalists” around the world. As part of an initiative called “Performance Creators,” Abarth asked them directly for their opinions on its future vehicles, with community members have a say in the 500e’s new sounds and colors.
According to Abarth’s parent brand, Stellantis, exact pricing and specifications will be announced closer to the 500e’s Australian launch in late 2023.
For reference, the upcoming Abarth 695 is priced from $36,400 before on-road costs for the 5-speed manual transmission and $38,400 for the 5-speed automatic.
