For its first electric model, which will begin reaching customers in June in the form of a super-equipped edition limited to 1,949 units (the year Abarth was founded), called scorpionissimathe Italian brand repeated the formula that it applies to its combustion models: it took the Fiat base, made adjustments to the chassis, demanded a more powerful engine, added to all this with a Look more sporty and, finally, he did not dispense with the characteristic hoarse sound that accompanies any of his creations. So, nervous people, calm down: despite being electric, the new Abarth 500e will not lose its peep and will continue to emit an exciting roar, thanks to Sound Generator technology.
Let’s start precisely with the sound experience, as this is one of the most distinctive features of the Abarth 500e compared to its progenitor, the Fiat 500e. Although this one, remember, also paid special attention to the design of the “music” that is required by law in any model that can circulate in purely electric mode (including plug-in hybrids), as long as they circulate at low speed. For the so-called AVAS (Acoustic Vehicle Alert System), Fiat had a driver, but Abarth clearly has a more radical spirit that is heard in the passenger compartment through a guitar, every time the Scorpion 500e is turned on or off, with the the fingering of said instrument continues to indicate the first time the driver exceeds 20 km/h. Outside, the usual buzz that warns of the presence of a battery-powered model is, the brand promises, an AVAS out of the ordinary: “a jingle specific, that transforms a cold homologation and a regulatory restriction into a recognizable sound for the fans of the Escorpião”. Most exciting, however, at least for those who are passionate about the muffled roar of Abarth engines, lies in the possibility of recreating it with the optional Sound Generator, which ditch the standard guitar and reproduce the sound of a gasoline engine. Who knows if, to bring the experience behind the wheel closer to the past, the future will not involve considering an extra capable of releasing that smell of gasoline that captivates lovers of octane…
However, however “disguised” it may be, the reality is that the new 500e is really different from other Abarths in its guts. And according to the brand itself, the fact that it is 100% electric is a difference for the better, which only favors it:
The New Abarth 500e is the most responsive and exciting Abarth in urban driving and the fastest and most fun in suburban driving. In short, it is more Abarth than ever. The electrical architecture works better than gasoline, thanks to better weight distribution, greater torque and a longer wheelbase”, highlights the Italian manufacturer.
Fiat and Abarth CEO Olivier Francois with former Italian driver Miki Biasion, two-time world rally champion, at the presentation of the Abarth 500e
Without going into detail to what extent the 42 kWh accumulator adds to the weight, Abarth prefers to focus on how the weight is distributed, with an incidence of 57% in the front and the remaining 43% in the rear. To this must be added 6 cm wider tracks and a 2.4 cm increased wheelbase, chassis adjustments for greater reactivity and a 155 CV electric motor (37 CV more powerful than the Fiat), for the cocktail before the first electric scorpion gets spicy enough.
Dotted throughout, the scorpion logo highlights the sporty nature of the new 500e. See other details here
Once again it is Abarth itself that says that the 500e is better than a 695 Esseesse (179 CV), in the city and outside of it. “It is a second faster in urban acceleration, which is 50% faster from 20 to 40 km/h than its gasoline brother” and on more winding roads it goes from 40 to 60 km/h in 1.5 seconds, while the 695 takes 2.5 seconds, which means that you lose 15 meters with the electric “brother”. But the new Abarth 500e still wins on the open road, “reaching a speed of 100 km/h (from 60 km/h) when its petrol counterpart is traveling at 91 km/h, with a difference of approximately one second.” Quicker in overtaking maneuvers but just as quick when starting from a standstill, the new 500e claims best-in-class value in pique from 0 to 100 km/h, a challenge that he completes in just 7 seconds.
The Launch Edition is packed with features, from bucket seats to a host of connected services and driving aids.
Inside, the driver finds an eminently sporty atmosphere that goes beyond colors and the choice of materials. That’s because he has three drive modes at his disposal to tame the 500e to his heart’s content. Tourism mode limits it to 136 hp and 220 Nm, instead of 235 Nm of torque, being more geared towards urban commutes. Scorpion Street mode, for its part, has no power or force limitation, but is responsible for recovering energy through regenerative braking. Lastly, to please track lovers, the Scorpion Track mode is essential, in which the electric Abarth gives its best, focusing on performance effectiveness to the detriment of energy efficiency.
By the way, Abarth has not yet announced the autonomy of its 500e. However, it is practically certain that it will be below the 330 km announced by Fiat. When recharging, the Abarth accepts a charge of up to 11 kW in alternating current and up to 85 kW in direct current. No indications were given about charging times, but the manufacturer assures that “fast charging allows you to reach 80% autonomy in just 35 minutes.”
Now available for pre-booking onlineThe new Abarth 500e can be ordered from February, with delivery of the first units scheduled for the end of the first half of 2023. The convertible requires €3,000 more.
Source: Observadora
