It is unlikely to ever be sold in North America.
This will be the first electric Abarth model.
The Fiat 500e Abarth is currently under development.
This means it will be epic. The Fiat 500 Abarth was an absolute blast to drive. The tiny microcar had the performance and personality to match and even outgun many hot compact cars and Abarth is about to inject the same kind of DNA into the 500e.
Fiat 500 Abarth | Photo: X-Tomi Design
Expected to launch next year, the Abarth 500e is currently undergoing development but it hasn’t been as easy a “transition” from the base car as expected.
Abarth boss Olivier François told Autocar: “A year and a half ago, I said it can’t be that hard [to make an Abarth version of the electric 500]. Electric cars are so fun to drive already. The good news is that we are actively working on it, and once it’s confirmed, it will be relatively quick.” He adds: “The bad news is that it’s more complicated to deliver than I thought. If you want to do a real Abarth, it’s not the same electric powertrain. Once it has the power and torque you want, it’s no longer the same drivetrain, nor the same transmission or brakes… The whole thing has to be adapted.”
The final test drives are taking place now and according to François, it’s going to be fantastic. While no specifications have been shared, apparently, the Abarth 500e will have its own sound. If you’ve ever heard an ICE 500 Abarth, you know they play a very distinct tune.
