► We test the new Abarth 500e
► Is 152bhp enough power?
► We prepare to find out
If phase one of the journey of electric cars into the mainstream involved odd-looking hatchbacks like the first Nissan Leaf, and if phase two was dominated by crossovers such as the Jaguar i-Pace and Audi e-Tron, it looks like we’re now in phase three, which has room for all sorts, from supercars and GTs to sports saloons and a few hot hatches, with the Abarth 500e among the first.
Fiat knows a thing or two about making small cars punch above their weight, and its in- house performance division is expert at turning the dial up. Power goes up from 117bhp in the Fiat to 152bhp here. The Abarth version of the Fiat 500e has a more powerful motor, a butch bodykit and a smattering of engineering changes to go with the looks.
You can choose the 500e in hatchback or convertible body-styles. Ours is the tin-top, in top-spec Turismo trim. The entry electric Abarth is already endowed with 17-inch alloys, Fiat’s effective Uconnect infotainment with sat-nav and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, rear parking sensors and JBL stereo, but stepping up to Turismo brings 18-inch diamond-cut rims, alcantara-trimmed dash- board and steering wheel, an airy glass roof, wireless phone charging, heated seats and windscreen, plus keyless entry.
It’s crammed with kit, leaving little on the options list. Like the £34,195 entry-level version, our Turismo has a modest 42kWh battery. The only option box that’s been ticked on our test car is the striking Poison Blue paint, for £600.
First impressions are positive. This is an EV to lust after, one that makes you stop and look twice if you walk past. I’m less keen on the naff scorpion branding plastered on its flanks, but the Abarth nevertheless boasts a pleasing roller-skate quality and appears well built, outside and in. It’s going to be fascinating to see how this compares to the new-generation Mini Electric, perhaps the closest competition the Italian tot will face.
Modern Mini set the template for the rebirth of Abarth, showing how petite premium cars can command lofty prices. To justify the price, it has to be fun as well as nicely kitted out. Yet it must also double up as a sensible electric supermini, delivering the range and ease of use that the best EVs serve up.
Abarth 500e Logbook (Month 1)
Price £38,195 (£38,795 as tested)
Performance 42kWh battery, e-motor, 152bhp, 7.0sec 0-62mph, 96mph
Efficiency 3.3 miles per kWh (official), 3.2 (tested), 0g/km CO2
Range 158 miles (official), 134 miles (tested)
Energy cost 7.7p per mile
Miles this month 151
Total miles 2580