Electrical autos have lengthy boasted their sporty credentials, with distinctive styling and ultra-fast 0-100km/h dash occasions, the latter because of prompt torque. However many lack character, no less than till the 2024 Abarth 500e Turismo got here alongside.
Nicknamed the Electrical Scorpion, after the model’s iconic brand, the 500e Turismo focuses on one easy activity, bringing its iconic spirit to the darkish facet – that’s, to the EV area. Very similar to its 595 Competizione sibling, it will get a 185-litre boot.
Likewise it scores the cosy cabin, with sporty entrance seats, and tight however usable rear pews. It provides up its gear shifter selector for a bag storage space, and a drink holder although. That apart, it does the identical 0-100km/h time because the petrol model, regardless of extra weight.
The one motor outputs 113kW of energy and 235Nm of torque, good for a sub-7 second dash time. Whereas prime velocity is restricted to 150km/h, it may possibly simply attain it with minimal fuss. This ensures you shouldn’t have any points ought to you should speed up in an emergency.
The dealing with of the Abarth 500e is its true masterstroke. Simply probably the most communicative EV we’ve got pushed so far, it provides the thrilling cornering you’d anticipate from a compact front-wheel drive scorching hatch.
Drive modes, together with Turismo (Eco), Road (Regular) and Scorpion (Sport), all dictate the extent of regenerative braking you get, with the latter of those disengaging it altogether. The previous permits for single pedal driving, which shortly turns into very helpful in visitors.
We discovered the additional kilometres we had been capable of obtain from this setup simply outweighing any discomfort we present in getting the cling of the system. If that fashion of driving fails anyplace within the 500e, it’s in making an attempt to reverse park.
It actually doesn’t work effectively, and in case you owned one, you’d be switching straight to Scorpion mode so that you had correct management. The Abarth 500e additionally options an onboard exhaust audio setup that makes your little electrical go-getter sound just like the 595.
It’s correctly good while you’re stationary, or throwing a “rev” or two with the throttle, and even hits the spot while you take off, bringing a slight smile to your face, nevertheless it shortly will get previous while you realise it’s monotonous at regular speeds, and by no means shifts gears.
It’s a cool function, however it could be good if it might rev match ultimately and replicate some gear adjustments, like say the Hyundai IONIQ 5 N. There’s loads of security tech too, together with a refined lane maintain help that by no means feels overbearing.
The parking sensors and reversing digicam are ample for such a small bundle and the visitors signal recognition and blind spot monitor do their job effectively. On the styling entrance, the Abarth 500e Turismo is shiny, sharp, and aggressive.
Giant scorpion symbols beautify both facet of the automotive and a reworked entrance gentle structure make the 500e seem like it’s prepared to bounce in a boxing ring. The brilliant color choices of Acid Inexperienced and Poison Blue overshadow the on a regular basis choices.
These embody Adrenaline Pink, Antidote White and Venom Black. The inside is matched completely, with gorgeous Alcantara bucket seats up entrance, full with blue stitching and inexperienced Scorpion logos. The steering wheel and sprint parts are equally trimmed.
The cellphone charging bay is etched with the model’s residence city silhouette and every door deal with comprises an overview of the primary ever Abarth. With solely a small 42kWh battery, its 250km vary is fairly common, though it may possibly cost to 80 per cent in 35 minutes.
DC quick charging is capped to 85kW, which suggests in case you’re planning a protracted journey, you’ll be making a couple of pit stops. As a bit indignant metropolis slicker although, it makes good sense. It’ll flip heads and ship loads of thrills.
The $58,900 price ticket (plus on-roads) would possibly make some baulk, as would possibly the 3-year or 150,000km guarantee, however in case you’re in search of a compact, enjoyable drive in a automotive that’s actually distinctive, it’s effectively value a glance.
You could find out extra on the Abarth web site, or by speaking to your native dealership. To get a low charge finance quote, speak to Australia’s greatest reviewed automotive finance dealer; Credit score One. To see an amazing vary of autos on the market, try OnlyCars.com.au.
Our take a look at automobile was offered by Abarth Australia for impartial evaluate functions.
