Abarth 600e : Bigger and electrified

We grew up believing an Abarth had to be loud, smell of fuel, and wake up the whole street with a single blip of the throttle. So getting behind the wheel of an electric Abarth 600e feels, at first, like a cultural shock. And yet, within the first few kilometres, we understand what the brand is trying to do: keep the spirit of a nervous little performance car, but wrap it in today’s reality, with more versatility, more boot space, and a compact crossover silhouette that makes sense in everyday life.

Dimensions and exterior design

Compared with the Fiat 600 it is based on, the Abarth changes its stance and its attitude. It sits lower, it looks wider over its wheels, and its overall length of around 4.19 metres remains compact while feeling noticeably more muscular. Wider tracks, chunky 20 inch wheels, and reshaped bumpers transform the friendly 600 into a small bundle of tension, especially when finished in one of those loud colours that clearly do not aim for subtlety.

We also like how Abarth plays with its own history. Certain cut outs and plastic inserts echo the oil cooler openings of older race inspired models, a roof spoiler adds a track ready hint, and bold side lettering makes sure nobody forgets what badge sits on the nose. Even when parked, the 600e looks like it wants to pounce, and that is exactly what we expect from a Scorpion.

Interior design and ergonomics

Inside, the mood is more mixed. The cabin remains very close to the Fiat 600, with Stellantis switchgear you will recognise elsewhere, and too many hard plastics that slightly break the spell if you are expecting a proper premium step up. Abarth adds the essentials to create a sportier atmosphere, including Alcantara on selected surfaces and a few visual touches that try to distance it from its more sensible origins.

Where the experience truly shifts is the seating. The Sabelt bucket seats feel firm and genuinely supportive. They hold us in place properly, they set the tone, and they immediately make the car feel more serious. The rest of the ergonomics stays straightforward, but we will not pretend the cabin impresses through finesse. It wins you over through intention.

Powertrains and driving modes

The Abarth 600e is built around one clear idea: a powerful front wheel drive layout, supported by a mechanical Torsen limited slip differential. Even in Turismo form, the electric motor already delivers a healthy 240 horsepower, more than enough to give the car a properly punchy character. In the sharper Scorpionissima version, output climbs to 280 horsepower with 345 Nm of torque, reinforcing the sense of intent and giving real credibility to its performance claims.

Abarth also shapes the character through three driving modes that genuinely change the car. Turismo is the calmer setting, with power softened and responses rounded to make the car easier to live with day to day. Scorpion Street sharpens throttle reactions and steering feel while keeping the car more road friendly, with electronic assistance still clearly in the background. Scorpion Track is where the gloves come off: full power is unleashed, driver aids loosen their grip, and braking becomes more consistent and mechanical in sensation, a setup that fits perfectly with the Abarth mindset.

Driving experience

This is where the 600e surprises us most. We expect an electric performance crossover that is quick but emotionally flat. In reality, it feels lively, sometimes even slightly wild. Acceleration is strong and immediate, even if the delivery can feel fairly linear, and we have to accept that some traditional sensations disappear without a combustion engine soundtrack.

The front end is the heart of the experience. It bites, it feels incisive, and the Torsen differential does real work on corner exits. We can get back on the power early, feel the car pull itself into the curve, and find traction that is impressively clean for such a powerful front wheel drive setup. Lift off mid corner and the rear becomes more playful than expected, with a subtle old school hot hatch flavour that makes the car fun without feeling reckless, as long as we stay switched on.

Braking is another strong point. It feels powerful and confidence inspiring, and in Track mode the sensation becomes more natural because the focus shifts toward a more consistent hydraulic feel. Comfort, however, is clearly not the priority. The suspension is very firm, which feels brilliant on smooth roads, but much less enjoyable on broken surfaces. On rough tarmac, we feel it in our backs and necks, and we quickly realise this Scorpion prefers clean, fast curves to bumpy long distance cruising.

Then there is the sound. Abarth offers an artificial sound generator that tries to recreate a combustion style atmosphere. At low speed it can be entertaining and it adds character, but once we start pushing, it becomes more obviously synthetic. Most of the time, we end up switching it off and enjoying the car in a simpler way, with road noise, electric punch, and that sharp chassis doing the talking.

Conclusion : the pros and the cons

We were curious, and we step out with a grin. Yes, it is an electric Abarth, and yes, it challenges what the badge used to mean. But the 600e, especially in its sharpest form, manages to deliver what matters: a car that makes us want to turn the steering wheel just for the joy of it, a car that comes alive in corners, and a car with a strong personality. It is not perfect, and it can be tiring in everyday use, but it has a rare talent today. It makes us laugh on a good piece of road.

The pros :
– Genuinely playful and seriously fun to drive
– Incisive front end with a very effective Torsen differential
– Strong braking with a more consistent feel in Track mode
– Excellent Sabelt seats for support and driving focus
– Bold styling with meaningful nods to classic Abarth heritage

The cons :
– Range drops quickly when driven hard
– Charging is acceptable but not a standout strength
– Interior quality feels too close to the Fiat 600, with too many hard plastics
– Very firm suspension that does not suit rough roads or comfortable long trips
– Artificial sound becomes tiring, even if it can be switched off