The Abarth 500 EV will be the performance version of the 500e electric city car.
According to the brand, this model will have its own electric powertrain, different from the 500e.
This model is unlikely to be sold in North America since Fiat only offers the 500X in Canada.
Fiat is currently working on the next generation of the Abarth 500, which will be a performance version of the 500e electric city car.
According to the brand, this model will feature a different electric powertrain compared to the regular Fiat version.
No details have been revealed yet about the power output of this future hot hatch, but it is expected to be quite a bit quicker than the 500e, which takes 9.0 seconds to reach 100 km/h from a stop.
In an interview with Autocar, Fiat boss Olivier François said that “once it has the power and torque you want, it’s no longer the same drivetrain”. This suggests the changes made to the Abarth version could be substantial.
In addition, the executive said that the brakes and the transmission will also have to be strengthened to cope with the additional performance of the Abarth.
Fiat Pulse Abarth | Photo: Fiat
Despite the Abarth transformation being more involved than originally anticipated, progress is being made since final test drives are currently underway and a few prototypes have already been spotted driving around with a lowered suspension.
More details will be known over the next few months, but we already know that the Abarth 500 EV will be equipped with an artificial noise that will replace the engine note in a gasoline-powered vehicle, similar to what Dodge is working on for the electric Charger. Drivers will be able to choose whether they want the noise or not in the vehicle’s settings.
Since Fiat has almost exited Canada, selling only a handful of units of the 500X crossover every year, it is unlikely that the Abarth 500 EV will be offered here. On the other hand, an electric hot hatch could reach an audience that is currently not being catered to by the automotive industry in North America, which means that Fiat could try its luck here once again.
Only time will tell what decision the Italian branch of Stellantis will make with this new model.
