The Abarth 500e takes the charming, all-electric Fiat 500e and infuses it with the legendary performance-focused spirit of the Abarth brand. It’s an electric hot hatch designed to be a blast to drive, setting it apart from its more city-focused sibling. While it commands a higher price tag, it justifies this with a series of significant upgrades in performance, styling, and a truly unique feature that pays homage to its internal combustion engine heritage.

For the Australian market, the Abarth 500e is available in two distinct variants: the Turismo and the limited-edition Scorpionissima. Both are powered by a single, front-mounted electric motor that delivers a more potent 113.7 kW of power and 235 Nm of torque. This is a noticeable increase over the standard 500e’s 87 kW and 220 Nm, enabling the Abarth to accelerate from 0-100 km/h in a swift 7.0 seconds.

The Abarth 500e is fitted with a 42 kWh (gross) battery, which has a usable capacity of 37.8 kWh. Due to the more powerful motor and performance-oriented setup, its WLTP driving range is slightly lower than the Fiat 500e at 253 km. However, it retains the same DC fast-charging capability of up to 85 kW, allowing it to charge from 10% to 80% in approximately 35 minutes.

What truly sets the Abarth 500e apart are its unique features. It has a more aggressive and muscular aesthetic with redesigned front and rear fascias, sporty side skirts, and exclusive 18-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels. Inside, the cabin is enhanced with performance-focused details like Alcantara-trimmed sports seats with integrated headrests and a leather-and-Alcantara steering wheel.

The most talked-about feature, however, is the Abarth “Sound Generator.” This external speaker system is meticulously tuned to mimic the roaring exhaust note of a petrol-powered Abarth 695, and it responds in real-time to throttle inputs. While it can be turned off, this feature is a bold and cheeky nod to Abarth’s history, designed to appeal to traditional enthusiasts and provide a more engaging auditory experience that is absent from most EVs.

The limited-edition Scorpionissima variant, of which only 219 units were allocated to Australia, adds further exclusivity with special decals, an Alcantara dashboard, and an exclusive colour palette, including the iconic Acid Green. With a starting price of $58,900 for the Turismo, the Abarth 500e is not cheap, but for those who value performance, unique style, and a driving experience that is as much about sound and emotion as it is about speed, it is a compelling and fun-filled electric hot hatch.