Fiat 600e Next In Line For Abarth Transformation

The fully electric Fiat 600e revealed last month is set to get the high-performance Abarth treatment, much like its smaller 500e sibling.

Like Hyundai with its N division, Abarth takes its position as a performance brand seriously, so this will be more than some sporty cosmetic trimmings. Technical details about the Abarth 600e are unknown, but it seems a given that the car will happen, with an arrival date estimated for early 2025. According to Autocar, Fiat and Abarth CEO Olivier Francois was asked about the prospect of the Abarth 600e, to which he replied, "It's logical." While we await specifications for the Abarth 600e, we can use the smaller Abarth 500e to draw a few conclusions.

The Abarth 500e is around 30% more powerful than the standard 500e. Applying similar gains to the 600e would equal an output of about 200 horsepower for the Abarth 600e. That can't match many other EVs, but it should deliver zippy acceleration for what is quite a compact family crossover.

The standard 600e is only around 164 inches long, not much longer than the small Chevy Bolt EV hatchback, so it should be pretty light for an EV. Whether it has a single or dual-motor setup remains to be seen, but since Abarth isn't chasing massive outputs, a single motor should suffice. However, the 600e's platform - shared with the Jeep Avenger - can accommodate all-wheel drive, so we wouldn't rule out a dual-motor eAWD configuration.

If the same 54-kWh battery as the normal 600e is used, the Abarth 600e probably won't have a range of much more than 200 miles. Unique chassis tuning and more responsive steering should also be on the cards for the Abarth 600e.

We expect the Abarth 600e to adopt many of its smaller sibling's technologies and sporty touches. That includes the Turismo, Scorpion Street, and Scorpion Track driving modes. In the Abarth 500e pictured below, Turismo mode slightly lowers outputs for smoother acceleration, while Scorpion Track disregards comfort for peak powertrain performance.

A special Sound Generator is available for the Abarth 500e that aims to mirror the sound of a traditional Abarth gas engine. Not everyone likes fake noise pumped into the cabin, though, so it's a feature that can be turned off if you prefer.

Like the Abarth 500e, the Abarth 600e should also receive styling enhancements such as special ABARTH lettering, bespoke alloy wheels, sportier bumpers, and eye-catching paints like Acid Green and Poison Blue. A modern interpretation of the Scorpion logo will also make an appearance. Inside, expect the Abarth 600e to have sportier trim like Alcantara, and racier seats.

At this stage, there's no telling if the Abarth versions of the 500e and 600e will make it to North America, but we sure hope so. The gas-powered Fiat 500 Abarth last sold here for the 2019 model year was one of the sportiest cars you could buy for around $20,000, even if its pint-sized body limited its appeal. If the more practical Abarth 600e can recapture that spirit, we'd love to see it here.