Abarth

600e

The fully electrified 600e is Abarth’s most powerful road car ever and comes in standard or fully loaded Scorpionissima trim levels. Both drive really well with the latter raising the stakes when it comes to performance and dynamism.

Test Drive

Abarth 600e – First Drive (2024)

If there were any doubts about Abarth’s commitment to electrification, the 600e lays those concerns to rest, marking the brand’s most powerful road car to date.

This four-door hatchback starts at £36,975 and is available in two versions – the 600e and the more performance-oriented 600e Scorpionissima. Both models are equipped with a 54kWh battery, with the entry-level version delivering 240hp and 345Nm of torque, while the Scorpionissima ups the ante to 280hp.

Designed to catch the eye, the Abarth 600e showcases a dynamic look with muscular features inspired by its racing heritage. Its bold looking front end pays homage to the iconic Cassettone style of the 850 TC, while the shark-nose design creates an aggressive silhouette. The rear spoiler is a nod to Carlo Abarth (the founder of the company) and other eye candy includes distinctive lighting, 20-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels, along with the electrified Scorpion badge that debuted on the smaller Abarth 500e.

Even the naming of the paintwork colours has a little sting in the tale with Venom Black, Antidote White, Shock Orange and Acid Green, while the Scorpionissima is uniquely offered in Hypnotic Purple and Acid Green.

Moving inside, the cabin is adorned with vibrant yellow accents and offers six-way manually adjustable seats (powered in the Scorpionissima) and plenty of manual steering wheel adjustment. The main focal point is a 10.25-inch infotainment system that provides access to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity, along with DAB radio and a few other features. A seven-inch digital cluster displays all the vital driving information such as range and speed.

The Scorpionissima adds navigation, voice recognition, and wireless charging, but it comes with a £5,000 price increase. While the modern interior is appealing, it does feature several hard plastic surfaces that may be prone to scratches over time.

Developed in collaboration with Stellantis Motorsport, the Abarth 600e delivers on high performance expectations. The entry-level model offers a 0-62mph sprint time of 6.2 seconds and a top speed of 124mph, making it well-suited for everyday driving. With its extra power, the Scorpionissima is quicker out the blocks reaching 62mph in just 5.8 seconds. Both models have a WLTP-tested driving range of 207 miles between charges, though this can decrease significantly with more enthusiastic driving. High-performance tyres on our test vehicles would also have an impact on the driving range.

Drivers can select from three drive modes called Turismo, Scorpion Street, and Scorpion Track. The latter mode features an aggressive accelerator response, sport+ steering, and adjusted ESP settings, perfect for exciting track sessions. Additionally, a B mode captures energy during braking, which is ideal for busier city traffic.

On the open road, the Abarth 600e feels well-balanced, with nicely weighted steering and ample power for joining highways from slower-moving slip roads. Some road noise is noticeable in the base model, which lacks a sound generator, while the Scorpionissima includes this feature, which can be activated or deactivated whilst driving (unlike the Abarth 500e model).

A track session at Stellantis’ proving ground in Italy, was the perfect opportunity to fully explore the Abarth 600e Scorpionissima’s ability and it delivered on all counts showcasing its impressive pace and handling. It fizzed through sharp turns while also displaying remarkable grip and poise on longer testing bends. Stellantis has recently focused on hot hatch designs, with the Alfa Romeo Junior Veloce sharing elements with the Abarth 600e. For example, both cars benefit from the JTEKT Torsen mechanical slip differential, which improves traction by directing additional torque to the outside wheel during sharp turns.

In terms of practicality, the Abarth 600e is surprisingly roomy, offering ample leg, head, and shoulder space for two six-foot adults in the front. The rear seats can accommodate two further adults or three children, although taller passengers may find the hard seatbacks, particularly in the sportier Scorpionissima, can lead to discomfort during spirited driving – knee pads may be advisable!

The boot can hold 360 litres of goodies, increasing to 1,231 litres with the 60:40 split-folding rear seats down. Elsewhere, the cabin is equipped with practical storage options, including a decent glovebox, a covered centre console, cup holders, door bins, plus USB ports for connectivity.

Charging the Abarth 600e’s 54kWh battery from 0-80 per cent via a 100kW fast-charger takes 27 minutes or a full charge from zero to 100 per cent can be achieved in 5 hours, 45 minutes using an 11kW wallbox.

All in all, the Abarth 600e is a quirky, distinctive hot hatch that we found really appealing. If you can forgo the sound generator and a few other creature comforts, the entry-level model is a sensible and budget-friendly choice. But if you want the more powerful and fully loaded Scorpionissima, it is limited to just 1,949 units across Europe – a number that commemorates the year Abarth was founded. That said: there are strong indications that a similarly powered 600e will follow once they sell out.