The automotive world is shifting gears, and the legendary Scorpion brand is leading the charge. For decades, Abarth has been synonymous with punchy performance, a distinctive “bark” from the exhaust, and a driving experience that puts a grin on your face. Now, that same spirit is entering a new era.
Abarth is embracing electrification not just to meet the needs of the future, but to redefine what an electric car can be. By focusing on instant torque, agile handling, and a unique emotional connection, the Abarth 500e and the all-new Abarth 600e prove that “going electric” doesn’t mean losing your soul. In this blog, we’re diving deep into these two powerhouse models to see how they retain that classic Abarth DNA while pushing the boundaries of modern technology.
Abarth 500e: A Compact Hot Hatch, Reimagined for Electric
The Abarth 500e is the car that proved the Scorpion could thrive in the electric age. It’s not just an electric city car; it’s a genuine hot hatch that has been reimagined from the ground up to deliver thrills in a compact package.
Design Cues That Honour the Legend
At first glance, you’ll recognise the iconic silhouette, but the 500e adds a modern, aggressive edge. You’ll find new, sharpened bumpers, lateral skirts, and a rear diffuser that isn’t just for show—it aids aerodynamics. The “Electrified Scorpion” logo makes its debut here, while the signature LED headlamps give it a focused, predatory look. Whether you choose the hatchback or the open-top Cabrio, it’s a car that demands attention on the British high street.
Technology with a Sporty Focus
Inside, the 500e is a masterclass in sporty ergonomics. The racing-inspired seats with integrated headrests keep you firmly in place during spirited cornering, and the Alcantara dashboard inserts (on Turismo trims) provide a premium, tactile feel. The tech is equally impressive, featuring a 10.25-inch Uconnect™ infotainment system with performance pages that allow you to track your torque delivery and acceleration times in real-time.
Who is the Abarth 500e for?
The 500e is perfect for the urban enthusiast. If you want a car that can nip through city traffic with ease, park in the tightest of spots, but still provide an adrenaline rush on a twisty B-road over the weekend, this is the one for you. It’s for the driver who values style and agility over outright size.
Abarth 600e: Bigger, Bolder, and More Powerful
If the 500e is the agile middleweight, the Abarth 600e is the heavyweight champion. As the most powerful Abarth ever made, the 600e takes the brand’s electric formula and dials it up to eleven.
Building on the Formula
The 600e takes the lessons learned from the 500e and applies them to a larger, more muscular frame. It’s wider, meaner, and features a commanding presence thanks to its 20-inch alloy wheels—inspired by the shape of a scorpion’s claws. It’s designed for those who need more space but refuse to compromise on performance.
Sportiness, Design, and High-End Tech
The 600e is packed with racing-derived hardware. It features a mechanical limited-slip differential (LSD) to help put all that power down through the front wheels, along with high-performance brakes developed with Alcon. Inside, the cabin is even more driver-focused, featuring Sabelt racing seats that wouldn’t look out of place on a starting grid. The 10.25-inch screen returns, but with even more advanced telemetry to help you shave seconds off your lap times.
Performance in the Electric SUV Segment
In a market full of sensible electric crossovers, the 600e stands out as a rebel. It’s positioned as a “Performance SUV,” offering a blend of daily practicality (like a 360-litre boot) with the kind of acceleration that will leave standard EVs in its wake. With up to 280hp in the limited-edition Scorpionissima trim, it’s a serious piece of kit.
Electric Performance with Abarth Character
One of the biggest myths about EVs is that they lack soul. Abarth has spent thousands of hours ensuring that the 500e and 600e feel like “real” Abarths.
- Instant Torque: Unlike a petrol engine that needs to “rev up,” electric motors deliver 100% of their torque instantly. This means when you hit the pedal in an Abarth 500e or 600e, the response is immediate and visceral.
- Tuned Powertrains: Abarth hasn’t just dropped a battery into a standard car. They have shortened the final drive ratio to improve “pick-up” acceleration, making these cars faster than their petrol predecessors in typical urban overtaking scenarios (25–40mph).
- Sportier Dynamics: By placing the heavy battery low in the chassis, Abarth has achieved a near-perfect weight distribution. This results in a lower centre of gravity, reduced body roll, and a car that feels “planted” through the corners.
Abarth Sound Generator: An Emotional Driving Experience
We know what you’re thinking: “But what about the sound?” The roar of an Abarth exhaust is legendary, and Abarth wasn’t about to let it disappear.
The Abarth Sound Generator is a unique piece of tech that recreates the soul-stirring “roar” of a classic Record Monza exhaust. It’s based on the actual sound profile of a turbocharged petrol engine and is played through an external speaker. It reacts to your speed and throttle input, providing that vital acoustic feedback that helps you feel connected to the car.
Best of all? It’s completely customisable. If you’re leaving early in the morning and want to stay on good terms with the neighbours, you can easily toggle the sound generator off via the digital cluster for a silent, stealthy departure.
Driving Modes and Performance Settings
Both models offer three distinct driving modes, allowing you to tailor the car’s personality to your mood:
| Mode | What it does | Best for… |
| Turismo | Limits power slightly for efficiency and provides smoother acceleration. | Relaxed daily commutes and city cruising. |
| Scorpion Street | Unleashes full power while keeping regenerative braking high (one-pedal driving). | Spirited drives through town or on A-roads. |
| Scorpion Track | Dials back the “regen” and sharpens the throttle and steering to the max. | Pure performance on your favourite back road or track. |
Handling and Suspension: Keeping the Spirit Alive
Abarth has always been about “giant-killing” handling. To ensure the electric models lived up to this, they’ve fitted both cars with uprated suspension systems. The 500e features a wider track for better stability, while the 600e uses specialised Michelin tyres developed specifically to handle the high torque of an electric motor.
The result is a balance of comfort and sportiness. They are firm enough to feel like a performance car when you’re pushing hard, but sophisticated enough to soak up the bumps of a typical British road without rattling your teeth.
Are the Abarth 500e & 600e for Me?
Choosing between these two comes down to your lifestyle:
- The Abarth 500e is for you if: You live for the city, love iconic Italian style, and want a car that is “chuckable” and fun. It’s the ultimate urban toy that doubles as a capable daily driver.
- The Abarth 600e is for you if: You need more room for passengers or gear, but you still want the most powerful car in the car park. It’s for those who want SUV practicality with the heart of a racer.
The Future of Abarth Performance
The Abarth 500e and 600e represent more than just a change in fuel—they represent the next chapter in a story that began in 1949. By blending heritage design with innovative electric performance, Abarth has created a new breed of car: one that respects the environment without sacrificing the thrill of the drive.
The Scorpion has evolved, and the future is looking (and sounding) faster than ever.
Would you like to experience the electric revolution for yourself? You can book a test drive or browse our latest offers on the Abarth 500e and 600e at your nearest Stoneacre showroom.
