Essayer OR - Gratuit

Abarth 500

Auto Express

|

May 24, 2023

FIRST DRIVE Electric hot hatch has the show, but does it back it up with the go?

- Richard Ingram

Abarth 500

SLOWLY but surely, all corners of the car market are turning electric. What started as an option for big, bulky SUVs, has now trickled down to superminis and even sports cars - plus near enough everything in between. Attempting to leave no stone unturned, Abarth reckons it's now time for an electric hot hatchback.

As they did in the fast-dwindling ICE era, Abarth's efforts focus on the humble Fiat 500. Taking the EV city car as a base is no bad thing, though; while it's not as much fun as a MINI Electric, the latest Fiat offers a great balance of ride and handling.

"The steering adds more meat to the 500's rack, and is a highlight of the driving experience"

Yet Abarth has gone back to the drawing board for the 500, binning the standard car's springs and dampers and tuning the steering. It has fitted uprated brakes, and there are bespoke Bridgestone Potenza Sport tyres, too. Of course, the Abarth 500 also adopts a sportier look, with new bumpers and side skirts, a white lower splitter, unique wheels, matte-grey mirror caps and a rear diffuser. Every car gets scorpion badges on the rear panels that come with added lightning bolts.

Under the skin, you'll find the Fiat 500's 42kWh battery, although the Abarth's range drops to between 150-164 miles, depending on the version you choose. The maximum rapid charge rate is unchanged, though, at 85kW, which is good for a 0-80 per cent top-up in around 35 minutes.

Auto Express

Cette histoire est tirée de l'édition May 24, 2023 de Auto Express.

Abonnez-vous à Magzter GOLD pour accéder à des milliers d'histoires premium sélectionnées et à plus de 9 000 magazines et journaux.

Déjà abonné ?

PLUS D'HISTOIRES DE Auto Express

Auto Express

Auto Express

PREMIUM HYBRID CAR OF THE YEAR BMW 530e

AT the top end of the hybrid market, plug-in powertrains remain the propulsion type of choice - and with EV ranges getting ever longer, these cars now have the near-unique ability to cover all bases.

time to read

1 min

July 02, 2025

Auto Express

Auto Express

AFFORDABLE ELECTRIC CAR OF THE YEAR RENAULT 5

THE devastatingly charming Renault 5 is one of those rare exceptions in life these days, where something that's considered to be 'fashionable', 'cool' and 'desirable' is also affordable.

time to read

1 min

July 02, 2025

Auto Express

Auto Express

CONVERTIBLE OF THE YEAR MAZDA MX-5

A ONE-tonne roadster with rear-wheel drive and a rev-happy, naturally aspirated engine with zero electrical assistance sounds like the stuff of yesteryear.

time to read

1 min

July 02, 2025

Auto Express

Auto Express

CAR OF THE YEAR

SKODA ELROQ

time to read

2 mins

July 02, 2025

Auto Express

Auto Express

COUPE OF THE YEAR BMW 2 SERIES COUPE

IT’S understandable that much of BMW’s range has moved with the times, because high demand for SUVs from buyers plus lower appetite for smaller, sportier models has seen the brand drift away from its previous mantra of “the ultimate driving machine” to instead offer ever more comfortable and refined – yet still engaging - models instead.

time to read

1 min

July 02, 2025

Auto Express

New OSRAM dash cameras

BULB maker OSRAM has branched out to offer a range of dash cams.

time to read

1 min

July 02, 2025

Auto Express

Auto Express

Volkswagen ID.4 to be 'completely different' in 2026

VOLKSWAGEN'S range of all-electric ID-badged vehicles is going through a revolution with several new models being teased - but the firm hasn't forgotten its existing line-up, because the ID.4 is set to be thoroughly revamped.

time to read

1 min

July 02, 2025

Auto Express

Auto Express

SMALL PREMIUM SUV OF THE YEAR VOLVO EX30

PREMIUM in name, but not in price.

time to read

1 min

July 02, 2025

Auto Express

Auto Express

MID-SIZE COMPANY CAR OF THE YEAR TESLA MODEL 3

IF stats matter above all else - and if you're choosing a company car, they're likely to play a big part in your decision - then the Tesla Model 3 is a car to choose with your head.

time to read

1 min

July 02, 2025

Auto Express

Auto Express

SUPERMINI OF THE YEAR FIAT GRANDE PANDA

WHEN we first drove the new Grande Panda, we declared Fiat had played a blinder with a car that's both affordable and loaded with character - just like the original.

time to read

1 min

July 02, 2025