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The Abarth 600e gate-crashes the growing EV hot hatch segment with an Alfa Junior Veloce-derived electric powertrain and striking looks. This small Latin shopping rocket shows the electric era might be rather fun after all.
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Detailed ratings
Supermini-Based GTi Hatchbacks
Driving experience
EV hot hatches of this size tend to be either the 'hot' or the ultra-rapid 'vindaloo' kind. You'll be served up the former recipe with an Abarth 600e, particularly if you choose the standard 240hp 'Turismo' model that most sales are centred around. Abarth is also offering an uprated 'Scorpionissima' version with the 280hp motor from the Alfa Romeo Junior Veloce, but that's (to start with) limited to a global production run of just 1,949 models. Both variants drive through the front wheels and use a 51kWh usable-capacity battery pack theoretically able to take the car up to 207 miles, if you drive this Italian hot hatch in the way a typical enthusiast owner never would. 62mph from rest in the 'Turismo' takes 6.2s. It's 5.9s in the 'Scorpionissima'.
Any friends who sneer at the thought of a bespoilered Fiat 600 can be put firmly in their place with the news that the underpinnings here are usefully different. This Abarth rides on an evolved 'Perfo' version of the donor car's Stellantis e-CMP platform that brings track width enhancements - 30mm more at the front and 25mm more at the rear. There's also a performance-enhancing battery cooling system, plus a Torsen limited slip differential sourced from Japanese specialist JTEKT. British braking experts Alcon provide the quad-piston calipers and the large 380mm brake discs (developed to resist fade on track). And there's a stiffened suspension set-up borrowed from the Junior Veloce which drops the car by 25mm over the equivalent Fiat and incorporate struts at the front and torsion beam at the rear. Thus the front and rear anti-roll bars have been stiffened by 140%. And there's a grippy set of bespoke Michelin tyres.
The most notable feature about the smaller Abarth 500e was its fake engine note. Well you may or may not be pleased to discover that you don't get that on this 600e unless you stretch to the rare 'Scorpionissima' version. The drive modes are familiar from the 500e. The standard one is Turismo, which limits output to 187hp and top speed to 93mph to preserve range. The other two settings - Scorpion Street and Track - unlock the full powertrain output and add some weight to the steering.
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Design and build
Obviously, you'll need to like the unusual but rather endearing looks of the donor Fiat 600e model to like this Abarth version, but if you do then you'll get yourself an EV hot hatch with more than its share of pavement presence. You might even sense something of a touring car vibe, encouraged by the wild roof-mounted rear spoiler, the deep front apron and the big 20-inch wheels with their potent-looking calipers. There's an enlarged front grille below the sleepy-looking headlights and the squared-off bumpers are said to be reminiscent of the Abarth 850TC from 1960 (no we don't remember it either). Lurid paintwork options, tinted lights and strategically placed Scorpion badges complete the effect.
There's Abarth embellishment inside too of course, with sports seats, aluminium pedals and black suede trim, plus luminous green Scorpion badges and Abarth graphics for the 7-inch instrument screen. Given the price premium here over the equivalent Fiat though, you might hope for more. The 'Scorpionissima' version feels slightly more bespoke, getting its own body-hugging sports seats and a unique Scorpion trimming pattern. You sit higher than you might expect to (on top of all those batteries). And it's disappointing that neither the seat cushions nor the side bolsters can be extended or adjusted. The 10.3-inch central infotainment screen is the same one as you'd get in the equivalent Fiat, as are all the buttons and stalks.
As in that Fiat, the back seat just about comfortably takes two adults, but struggles with three. As in the ordinary 600e, the footwells are a bit cramped. And the 360-litre boot (twice the capacity of an Abarth 500e) is reasonably sized, about the same as you'd get in an MG4 X-POWER but 25-litres less than a Volkswagen ID.3 GTX.
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Market and model
Prices start from around £37,000 for the 240hp 'Turismo' model. There's a big price jump (to around £42,000) for the 280hp limited production run 'Scorpionissima' version. Both variants get Adaptive Cruise Control, dedicated sports seats, aluminium for the pedals and footrest, branded floor mats and specific Abarth graphics for the 7-inch TFT instrument cluster. Plus the 10.25-inch centre screen has a 6-speaker audio system.
The 'Scorpionissima' limited edition gets a dashboard fascia in matt black with gloss black serigraphy, plus a bespoke tunnel pad cover and heated racing Sabelt seats with perforated Alcantara and 'Scorpionflage' upholstery and integrated headrests. The 'Scorpionissima' also includes Hands-free Tailgate Opening, a Cargo Flex Kit and wireless mobile phone charging. Only the 'Scorpionissima' features a sound generator for simulated engine noise; you may or may not want that.
Safety kit includes the usual Autonomous Emergency Braking system, Lane Departure Warning, Drowsy Driver Detection, six airbags and an E-call emergency response system. The 'Scorpionissima' version comes with a Level 2 Assisted Driving 'Lane Positioning & Traffic Jam assist' system, plus 360-degree parking sensors that combine with a rear view camera. The 'Scorpionissima' also offers an Urban Blind Spot Monitor, traffic sign recognition and Automatic High Beam.
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Cost of ownership
We gave you the EV range figure - 207 miles - in our 'Driving' section, doubtless limited by the 1,624kg kerb weight. Abarth quotes a 3.4mpkWh energy efficiency figure. And the 54kWh lithium ion battery (51kWh of which is usable) charges at a modest 100kW, which is 50kW down on the MG4 X-POWER and 85kW down on the Volkswagen ID.3 GTX but on a par with the MINI Aceman JCW. With this Abarth, a public DC fast charge from 20-80% takes 27 minutes. AC charging from 0-100% from a 7.4kW home wallbox takes 8 hours and 15 minutes; or 5 hours and 30 minutes from a 3-phase 11kW wallbox. It's a yawning 26 hours from a domestic plug.
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.
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Summary
Unlike quite a few manufacturers in this segment, Abarth has done the job properly here and created a properly performance-tuned hot hatch. You'll feel the difference that makes if you drive this fast 600e back to back with cars in this segment like the Volkswagen ID.3 GTX or even dual motor EV models like the MG4 X-POWER or the smart #1 BRABUS. No, there's not quite as much power, but what you have you can use more enjoyably.
With a car like this, it's not how fast you go but how fast it can bring a grin to your face and this Abarth does that pretty rapidly. There are a few things though: the 'Scorpionissima' model's faster 280hp motor should be standardised and that pricier version's EV sound system feature should be included on 'Turismo' version most will choose. Plus this car isn't quite as special as it should be inside. If you can live with these caveats, there's a few enjoyable Latin lessons to be had here.
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