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.
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.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Air strikes in the Caribbean: Trump’s murky narco-war
Talking Point Drug cartels ‘don’t follow Marquess of Queensberry Rules’, but US military air strikes on speedboats rely on strained interpretation of ‘invasion’
-
Crossword: September 14, 2025
The Week's daily crossword puzzle
-
Sudoku medium: September 14, 2025
The Week's daily medium sudoku puzzle
-
A tour of Sri Lanka’s beautiful north
The Week Recommends ‘Less frenetic’ than the south, this region is full of beautiful wildlife, historical sites and resorts
-
Giorgio Armani obituary: designer revolutionised the business of fashion
In the Spotlight ‘King Giorgio’ came from humble beginnings to become a titan of the fashion industry and redefine 20th century clothing
-
Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale – a ‘comfort’ watch for fans
The Week Recommends The final film of the franchise gives viewers a chance to say goodbye
-
The Paper: new show, same 'warmth and goofiness'
The Week Recommends This spin-off of the American version of The Office is ‘comfortingly and wearyingly familiar’
-
Rachel Jones: Gated Canyons – ‘riotously colourful’ works from an ‘exhilarating’ painter
The Week Recommends The 34-year-old is the first artist to take over Dulwich Picture Gallery’s main space
-
Born With Teeth: ‘mischievously provocative’ play starring Ncuti Gatwa
The Week Recommends ‘Sprightly’ production from Liz Duffy Adams imagines the relationship between Shakespeare and Christopher Marlowe
-
Art review: Lorna Simpson: Source Notes
Feature Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City, through Nov. 2
-
Jessica Francis Kane's 6 favorite books that prove less is more
Feature The author recommends works by Penelope Fitzgerald, Marie-Helene Bertino, and more