Abarth 500 Electric Cabrio

• Body Glass
  • Dark tinted windows: rear side
  • Heated windscreen wiper blade area
  • One touch up/down power windows
• Brakes
  • Autonomous Emergency Brake (AEB) & Vulnerable Road User (VRU) Protection
  • Electronic parking brake
• Communication
  • Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (wireless)
  • Central Console A+C USB (Charging Only)
  • Wireless charging pad for smartphones
• Driver Aids
  • 360 parking sensors (front, rear, side) drone view and rearview camera
  • Blind spot warning
  • Cruise control
  • E-Mode selector
  • Intelligent speed assist
  • Lane keeping assistant (LKA)
  • PAS
  • Traffic sign information
• Driver Convenience
  • Connected services
  • Rain and dusk sensors
• Driver Information
  • 10.25" Uconnect infotainment touchscreen with integrated navigation
  • 7" TFT digital cluster
  • Drowsy driver detection
  • e-Call (emergency call)
• Driving Mirrors
  • Electric adjustable heated door mirrors
  • Electrochromatic rear view mirror
  • Titanium grey mirror caps
• Embellishment Trims
  • Alcantara dashboard
• Entertainment
  • Abarth sound generator
  • DAB radio
  • JBL Hi-Fi premium sound system
  • USB for device mirroring in 1st row
• Exterior Body Features
  • Black spoiler
  • Chrome door kick plate
  • Electrically operated soft top with open/close remote control
  • Rear boot
  • White front and rear bumper inserts
• Exterior Lights
  • 3rd brake light
  • Auto high and low beam
  • LED Day time running light
  • LED Headlights
  • Rear fog lights
• Heating/Cooling/Ventilation
  • Auto climate control
• Hoods
  • Hood - Black
• Interior Features
  • Central armrest with closed console
  • One pedal drive
  • Premium alcantara upholstery
  • Premium leather and alcantara steering wheel
  • Sporty pedal cover
• Seats
  • 2 rear head restraints
  • 2 seat bench in second row
  • Front headrests
  • Heated front seats
  • Single front passenger seat
  • Sports seats
• Security
  • Abarth wearable key
  • Keyless Go
  • Passive entry
  • Wearable key steering
• Vehicle Charging
  • 85kW fast charge
  • Bag for mode 3 charging cable
  • Mode 3 charging cable
• Wheels - Alloy
  • 18" Diamond cut alloy wheels
• Wheels - Spare
  • Fix and go kit

• Electric Vehicle Data
  • Battery Capacity % guaranteed under warranty: 70
  • Battery Capacity in kWh: 42.2
  • Battery Charging Scenario 1 - Charge Time (Mins): 915
  • Battery Charging Scenario 1 - Percentage Change: 0-100
  • Battery Charging Scenario 1 - Power Supply - kW: 3
  • Battery Charging Scenario 2 - Charge Time (Mins): 255
  • Battery Charging Scenario 2 - Percentage Change: 0-100
  • Battery Charging Scenario 2 - Power Supply - kW: 11
  • Battery Charging Scenario 3 - Charge Time (Mins): 35
  • Battery Charging Scenario 3 - Percentage Change: 0-80
  • Battery Charging Scenario 3 - Power Supply - kW: 85
  • Battery Charging Scenario 4 - Charge Time (Mins):
  • Battery Charging Scenario 4 - Percentage Change: N
  • Battery Charging Scenario 4 - Power Supply - kW:
  • Battery Leased: No
  • Battery Type: Lithium-ion
  • Charging Port Location: Right Side Rear
  • Coupler/Connector Type: CCS Type 2
  • Maximum Charging Rate - kW: 85
  • Standard manufacturers Battery warranty - Mileage: 100,000
  • Standard manufacturers Battery warranty - Years: 8
  • Usable Battery Capacity: 37.8
  • WLTP - EC (kWh/100km) - Comb: 18.8
  • WLTP - EC (miles/kWh) - Comb: 3.3
  • WLTP - Pure Electric Range (km) - Comb: 242
  • WLTP - Pure Electric Range (miles) - Comb: 150
• Emissions - ICE
  • CO:
  • CO2 (g/km): 0
  • HC:
  • HC+NOx:
  • Noise Level dB(A):
  • NOx:
  • Particles:
  • Standard Euro Emissions: N
• Engine and Drive Train
  • CC: 1
  • Fuel Delivery: N
  • Gears: 1 SPEED
  • Transmission: AUTO
• General
  • Alternative Fuel Qualifying: Yes
  • Badge Engine CC: 0
  • Badge Power: 155
  • Based On ID:
  • Coin Description: N
  • Coin Series: Turismo
  • Insurance Group 1 - 50 Effective January 07: 27D
  • Safety Concerns?: No
  • Special Edition: No
  • Special Order: No
  • Timing Belt Interval Frequency - Months:
  • Timing Belt Interval Mileage:
  • Vehicle Homologation Class: M1
• Performance
  • 0 to 60 mph (secs): No
  • 0 to 62 mph (secs): 7
  • Engine Power - BHP: 155
  • Engine Power - KW: 114
  • Engine Power - PS: Yes
  • Engine Torque - LBS.FT: 173
  • Engine Torque - MKG: 24
  • Engine Torque - NM: 235
  • Top Speed: 96
• Test Cycles
  • Emissions Test Cycle: WLTP
  • RDE Certification Level: N/A
• Tyres
  • Alloys?: Yes
  • Space Saver?: No
  • Tyre Size Front: 205/40 R18
  • Tyre Size Rear: 205/40 R18
  • Tyre Size Spare: TYRE REPAIR KIT
  • Wheel Style: DIAMOND CUT
  • Wheel Type: 18" ALLOY
• Vehicle Dimensions
  • Height: 1,518
  • Height (including roof rails):
  • Length: 3,673
  • Wheelbase: 2,322
  • Width: 1682
  • Width (including mirrors): 1,900
• Weight and Capacities
  • Fuel Tank Capacity (Litres):
  • Gross Vehicle Weight: 1,805
  • Luggage Capacity (Seats Down): 550
  • Luggage Capacity (Seats Up): 185
  • Max. Loading Weight: 370
  • Max. Towing Weight - Braked:
  • Max. Towing Weight - Unbraked:
  • Minimum Kerbweight: 1,435
  • No. of Seats: 4
  • Turning Circle - Kerb to Kerb: 9.7

Ten Second Review
Abarth proves that small EVs needn't be boring with this full-battery hot hatch, the 500e. We're promised it will drive, handle and even sound like the company's previous rorty little petrol models. But that the heart and soul here is pure Abarth.

Background
It's difficult to think of a brand less suited to the EV generation than Abarth. The company's Fiat-based sports models are all about loud, noisy, profligate performance and nimble handling. Everything you can't usually have in most EVs. Except possibly this one, the Abarth 500e. Some parts of the brand's very vocal community of owners have been less than enthusiastic about the prospect of this full-battery model, but the company says the 500e has been developed in the name of performance in the very best traditions of founder Carlo Abarth. Ultimately, this model will replace the marque's 595 and 695 petrol hot hatch models - and not before time, given that they've been on sale in various guises since 2009. But is a 500e a really a true Arbath? Let's take a look.

Driving Experience
Sound is what sells an Arbath. Always has. So to be successful, 500e has to sound like no EV ever has. It does. The brand has installed a set of speakers beneath the car to faithfully reproduce the engine note of one of its rorty petrol powerplants. And the speakers are linked to the throttle so that as you accelerate, the sound builds, just as it would in a 595 or 695. It sounds remarkably realistic too - and you don't have to take our word for it; a sound generator on the Abarth website will play the powerplant to you. You might dismiss that as a gimmick, but you can't argue with the performance facts here. Namely that the 500e is an all-round faster car than the 595 petrol model it replaces - which doesn't initially seem very likely given that it's much heavier and has 20bhp less in total output. Set against that though, is that the full 152bhp output is of course available immediately, rather than hampered by the turbo lag you'd get in the petrol versions. That instant torque (234Nm of it) propels the car from rest to 62mph in just 7 seconds flat. Even more significant is the 25 to 37mph overtaking increment time of just 1.5 seconds (a full second faster than the 595). 12 to 25mph takes only a second (50% faster even than the 695). Abarth says the car is a second faster around Alfa Romeo's Balocco test track than the 695. There's the usual single-speed EV auto transmission and you work it through three drive modes - 'Turismo', 'Scorpion Street' and 'Scorpion Track' - which can alter brake regen strength and power output.

Design and Build
We're looking here at the fixed-top model, but there's also a cabrio version offered too with a folding fabric sunroof-style top. Either way, you might be surprised just how different this Abarth 500e is from its Fiat 500 EV donor model. Even under the skin where it has a wheelbase 24mm longer and a track 60mm wider. As you'd expect, stuff you can see looks more aggressive too - lights, diffuser, skirts and bumpers are all of course Abarth-specific. Inside, just as with the old car, there's a sportier take on the donor Fiat model. There's scorpion branding everywhere, lots of Alcantara trimming and a satisfyingly chunky 3-spoke sports steering wheel. Plus you get a 'wearable' Abarth key and there are bespoke graphics and dedicated 'Performance Pages' for the 10.25-inch central infotainment screen. This display runs Fiat's latest 'U connect 5' media system and can deliver navigation, a Wi-Fi hotspot and 'Apple CarPlay'/'Android Auto' smartphone-mirroring. There's a circular instrument panel as before but, as you might expect from EV, it's now fully digital. Those condemned to a seat in the rear will find that this EV generation model's 2cm wheelbase increase means that things aren't quite as cramped as before. Out back, there's a compact 185-litre boot with either body style.

Market and Model
Expect pricing to be around £37,000 upwards. All initial 500e production is based around a special edition model, the 'Scorpionissima' priced from just under £39,000. To try and regain empathy with disgruntled Abarth brand owners, the marque is dedicating the first month of 'Scorpionissima' 500e sales to Abarth community members, over 160,000 of whicjh can be found around the world. Which should see those cars snapped up quite quickly by 'Abarthists' because only 1,949 examples of this special edition will be made (a reference to 1949 when Carlo Abarth created the company). The 'Scorpionissima' version of the 500e is elaborately kitted out - and brightly painted, with a choice of either 'Acid Green' or 'Poison Blue' paintwork. And 18-inch diamond-cut wheels, plus the usual Arbath graphics. Inside, there's an alcanatara-trimmed dashboard, a sports steering wheel, a 7-inch digital instrument cluster, branded sports pedals and premium alcantara racing seats. Media kit includes a 10.25-inch 'Uconnect' centre touchscreen, with wireless 'Apple CarPlay' and 'android Auto' smartphone-mirroring. Plus there's the emotive 'Sound Generator' that'll audibly make this like no other EV. The 500e also gets an Abarth-branded version of the 'MyFiat' app, through which you can remotely interact with your car. Via this app, you can also schedule charging, find a public charger and check battery status.

Cost of Ownership
Don't expect the driving range figure to quite match the best-possible 205 mile figure of the Fiat 500 EV donor car - given the racier electric motor and the weight of all those bodywork add-ons. But it won't be far short of that. And the charging system (like this car's 42kWh battery) is of course just the same. The Abarth 500e features an 85kW DC rapid charging system that can recharge from empty to 80% capacity in just 35 minutes and can provide the car with 31 miles of driving range in just 5 minutes. Buyers can also get a wall charging box that offers 3kW charging and apparently doesn't need to be professionally installed. This wallbox can be upgraded to allow for 7.4kW charging at home. That 7.4kW wall box allows you to fully charge this electric Abarth in just over 6 hours. The car also comes with a mode 3 cable for charging at up to 11kW from a public charging point. It can be charged via AC or DC power points. As usual with an Abarth, this car is covered by a three-year, unlimited mileage warranty and there's 36 months of breakdown cover included as well. Should you have a problem on a journey, you can use the 'Uconnect' infotainment system to contact roadside assistance. What else might you need to know? Well, servicing intervals are every year or every 12,000 miles, whichever comes first. Owners can keep up to date with their car's maintenance schedule via the 'My Car' section of that 'MyFiat' app, which briefs you on the time of your next service and various maintenance issues.

Summary
This is but the first episode in a brand-new Abarth story, one that founder Carlo Abarth could never have dreamed of. And it'll help this fledgling Italian brand that, for the time being anyway, this 500e has a clear run at the market for small EV hot hatches. That's emboldened them to charge plenty for this little battery-powered shopping rocket; for the money, you can obviously get a much larger EV. But in terms of fun-per-kilowatt-hour, there's nothing to touch this car at this price point and we're not sure if there ever will be. The best Abarth EVer? Future faster versions of this car will more clearly challenge for that title. But this one stakes a creditable claim.