2023 Abarth 500 EV to get bespoke performance powertrain

Fiat is finalising an electrical Abarth 500 forward of its imminent expose. It will be the brand’s initially sizzling model due to the fact the Abarth 124 GT, introduced in 2018.

New pictures show a lower, broader variant of the electric powered 500 – also sporting a revised front bumper and a chunky rear spoiler – tests in the countryside.

The car will mark the starting of Abarth’s transition into an electrified go-more rapidly sub-division of Fiat. Other versions will acquire the cure on a situation-by-situation foundation. Model manager Olivier François explained to Autocar earlier this year that he expects to have between just one and three Abarth designs at any one particular time. 

François claimed at the time: “A yr and a half back, I stated it just can’t be that tough [to make an Abarth version of the electric 500]. Electric powered autos are so fun to drive currently. The superior news is that we are actively operating on it, and as soon as it’s confirmed, it will be rather quick.

“The undesirable information is that it is additional challenging to provide than I thought. If you want to do a actual Abarth, it is not the identical electric powertrain. Once it has the energy and torque you want, it is no extended the similar drivetrain, nor the identical transmission or brakes… The full detail has to be tailored.”

He additional that closing examination drives were below way ahead of formal confirmation of the motor vehicle: “It’s heading to be amazing. The audio is going to be really intriguing. There will be a option to be silent or not.”

The Abarth fan neighborhood will play a important job in shaping the improvement of impending versions, said François: “When it comes to marketing and advertising, it is a absolutely various manufacturer to Fiat. These [Abarth fans] would not obtain a Fiat, and vice versa. It is generally one particular automobile [the 500] and two totally different targets. We are going to leverage the community, contain them in the progress. Social media is perfect for that.”

The electrical Fiat 500 has a -62mph time of 9.0sec, a best pace of 93mph and a vary of 199 miles. The approaching Abarth edition is probably to aim for that dash in beneath 7.0sec with a top speed around 100mph, but at the expense of some array.