2023 Abarth 500e | Loudest Abarth ever made?
Imagine getting the thrill of Abarth’s sporty performance and sound, powered by electric energy. In this review, I’m taking you for a spin to check out its design, features, impressive specs, and why it’s turning heads with its sound. So, hop in and let’s see if this striking Abarth 500e really delivers the excitement it promises.
All Eyes On Me
Alright, first things first, have you seen that stunning “Acid Green” exterior color on this car? Personally, I'm loving it! Haha! Although, I must admit, I'm scratching my head over the “Green” part in its name because it leans more towards yellow. “Acid Yellow” would have been a more fitting choice, don't you think? But enough about my statement about color names! Let's start with my well-known exterior tour and let’s kick things off at the front. The 2023 Abarth 500e greets us with a bold and aggressive look that screams sporty. We can't miss the iconic Abarth scorpion logo on the grille, nodding to its performance roots. On either side, sleek LED headlights add a modern touch and the blacked out “Eye-Brows” give this litle car a very agressive look. Moving down, the larger air intakes in the grille highlight its performance focus and help keep the electric powertrain cool. The sculpted lines on the hood add a dynamic touch, hinting at the car's potential even before we hop in.
Now, let's check out the side. The Abarth 500e keeps the compact and agile shape we expect from the 500 series, but it stands out with cool “Electrified” Abarth badges and unique 18” Diamond Cut Matt Grey alloy wheels that blend style and aerodynamics. It sits a bit lower than the standard 500, thanks to a sport-tuned suspension. The subtle side skirts and sharp creases give it a muscular look that's hard to ignore. Heading to the back, the Abarth 500e continues to impress. The well-defined bumper and diffuser give a nod to its racing heritage. The rear LED light clusters match the front design, and the Abarth scorpion logo pops up again, reinforcing its sporty vibe. The integrated roof spoiler adds to its stylish look and improves aerodynamics.
Taking in the exterior of the 2023 Abarth 500e, we see a perfect mix of classic Abarth aggressiveness and modern electric car design. Every detail, from the front to the back, is designed to show off both performance and style. Whether parked or in motion, the Abarth 500e is sure to turn heads.
Inside The Scorpio
First off, let’s talk about the materials inside the cabin—they’re truly top-notch. The seats are a mix of leather and Alcantara, giving you the perfect blend of comfort and luxury. They’re super comfy and supportive! The contrasting “Electrified Blue” stitching and Abarth logo on the headrests add a cool, sporty vibe. Moving to the dashboard, it’s clean and modern with soft-touch materials, combining style and functionality seamlessly. Abarth is all about the details, and the 500e doesn’t disappoint. The leather-wrapped steering wheel with its flat-bottom design gives off a race-car feel. Plus, there are paddle shifters to control the regenerative braking levels, making your drive even more fun. The ambient lighting adds a modern touch with customizable colors to match your mood or driving style.
The real star of the interior is the 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system. It’s super easy to use and very responsive, featuring the latest Uconnect interface with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Navigation is a breeze, and the JBL sound system delivers great audio quality, enhancing your drive. The digital instrument cluster behind the steering wheel is also impressive, letting you customize displays to show everything from speed to battery range and performance stats.
Even though the Abarth 500e is compact, the inside feels surprisingly spacious. The front seats offer plenty of legroom and support, making long drives comfy. The back seats are a bit tighter but work well for shorter trips or extra storage. The cargo area is small but adequate for a car of this size, and the rear seats fold down to give you more luggage space when needed. The 2023 Abarth 500e is packed with safety and driver assistance features, including adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and automatic emergency braking. Parking is easy with a rear view camera and front and rear parking sensors, adding to the overall convenience of driving the 500e.
In a nutshell, the interior of the 2023 Abarth 500e is a fantastic blend of sporty design and modern comfort. Every detail is thoughtfully designed to make your driving experience both fun and comfortable. Whether you’re navigating city streets or cruising on the highway, the Abarth 500e’s interior makes every journey enjoyable.
Fast And Loud
Let’s dive into the performance and specs of the 2023 Abarth 500e. It has an electric motor with 154 horsepower (113.7kW) and 235 Nm of torque, delivering instant torque for quick and responsive acceleration. It goes from 0 to 100 km/h in about 7 seconds, which may not sound super fast, but it feels quick. The single-speed transmission ensures smooth acceleration without gear shifts. The Abarth 500e comes with a 42 kWh lithium-ion battery, offering an estimated range of around 320 kilometers on a single charge—great for daily commutes and short trips. Charging is convenient too: 35 minutes to go from 0 to 80% with a fast charger, and 4-6 hours for a full charge at home.
The 500e is known for its sporty handling and doesn’t disappoint. The low center of gravity ensures stability and excellent cornering. The sport-tuned suspension offers a firm yet comfortable ride, and precise steering adds to the fun. The regenerative braking system, adjustable via paddle shifters, helps recover energy and can be set to different levels based on your driving style. With exclusive driving modes like Turismo, Scorpion Street, and Scorpion Track, you can customize your driving style to match your mood. Whether you're just cruising or pushing the limits, these modes let you get the most out of your electric Abarth, delivering a fun and sporty driving experience every time.
One unique feature of the Abarth 500e is its sound generator, which mimics the iconic Abarth exhaust note. This adds an auditory thrill to the electric driving experience, making it feel more like a traditional sporty Abarth. It's a fun touch that sets the 500e apart from other EVs, but honestly, I wasn’t a fan. It’s cool when cruising through the city or when parked so you can rev it, but as you speed up, the sound just gets a higher pitch. It's the same sound continuously, just higher and lower in pitch, and it gets really annoying. Plus, if you want to turn off the sound, you have to be in Park or Neutral to access the menu, which is a bit inconvenient.
Final Thoughts
The 2023 Abarth 500e blends Abarth’s legendary performance with the perks of modern electric technology. With its punchy electric motor, responsive handling, and clever driving modes, it offers an engaging and enjoyable driving experience. Whether you’re a longtime Abarth fan or new to the brand, the 500e delivers the excitement and fun you’d expect. Starting at €38.040 (BE), it's a thrilling option for those looking to make the switch to electric.
