Abarth 500e: what the critics say
Abarth’s pure-electric car is a sportier version of the Fiat 500 electric
Abarth’s first pure-electric car, the 500e “pocket rocket” is a sportier version of the Fiat 500 electric, said Sunday Times Driving.
It comes in five bright colours, including Acid Green and Poison Blue, and in standard or range-topping Turismo spec with 17in and 18in wheels respectively; there are hard top and cabriolet versions of each. Abarth has even added a sound generator to mimic a petrol engine for city “poseurs”.
Abarth is out to prove that electric cars can be as much fun as their petrol counterparts, said What Car?. The 153bhp 500e can do 0-62mph in 7secs – just below the top-of-the-range petrol Abarth 695 (6.7secs). But bespoke suspension gives this hot hatch better agility; wider wheels and tyres maximise grip; special rear disc brakes increase stopping power; plus it has sharper steering and better body control than the 695 too.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Range is comparatively meagre at 164 miles WLTP and a 0-80% charge takes 35 minutes at a 85kW “rapid” charger, said Top Gear Magazine. The interior is more muted than the exterior, with hard plastics. The bolstered seats steal space from the back, where there’s only room for two (children ideally). Boot space is equally limited. On the plus side, the central touchscreen is easy to use, with smart graphics.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
5 cleverly clashing cartoons about the presidential debate
Cartoons Artists take on a deepfake debate, winners and losers, and more
By The Week US Published
-
The Pélicot case: a horror exposed
Talking Point This case is unusually horrifying, but the misogyny that enabled is chillingly common
By The Week UK Published
-
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice: pure 'nostalgia bait'
Talking Point Michael Keaton and Winona Ryder return for sequel to the 1988 cult classic
By The Week UK Published
-
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice: pure 'nostalgia bait'
Talking Point Michael Keaton and Winona Ryder return for sequel to the 1988 cult classic
By The Week UK Published
-
Sam Leith picks his favourite children's books
The Week Recommends The author and journalist chooses works from Nicholas Fisk, Richard Adams and more
By The Week UK Published
-
The Real Thing: Stoppard revival is 'witty' and 'wise'
The Week Recommends James McArdle is 'sensational' in Max Webster's production at the Old Vic
By The Week UK Published
-
Firebrand: Jude Law is 'gloriously disgusting' in Tudor drama
The Week Recommends 'Vividly constructed' film looks at the life of Henry VIII's sixth wife, Katherine Parr
By The Week UK Published
-
A Voyage Around the Queen: 'gloriously bizarre' royal biography
The Week Recommends Craig Brown's book paints a 'vivid and remarkably telling' picture of the late monarch
By The Week UK Published
-
The Perfect Couple: glossy Netflix murder-mystery starring Nicole Kidman
The Week Recommends However hard you try to resist it, 'you will want to know the who, what, where and why-dunit'
By The Week UK Published
-
Chicken with Steph's spice
The Week Recommends This Caribbean-inspired recipe is mouthwateringly delicious
By The Week UK Published
-
A peaceful seaside village in Turkey
The Week Recommends Çıralı has been spared the 'scourge' of all-inclusive resort development
By The Week UK Published