Review – Abarth 600e (2025) is electric, but roars plenty
Steering and driving experience Abarth 600e
The Abarth 600e immediately stands out for its direct steering. The feedback provided by the steering wheel feels precise and pleasant. Drivers who enjoy a sporty driving experience will certainly appreciate the stiff suspension. For some drivers, however, this suspension may be a bit too punishing, but the sporty handling fits the car’s character perfectly. Especially when cornering, the Abarth 600e stands out positively thanks to its mechanical limited slip differential. This Torsen system efficiently distributes drive forces to the front wheels, allowing you to get on the gas earlier in corners.
Powerful electric motor with 240 or 280 hp
Under the hood hides an electric motor that can rev up to 15,000 rpm. The Turismo kicks out to 176 kW (240 hp), while the Scorpionissima has 206 kW (280 hp) to offer, equal to the power of the Alfa Romeo Junior Veloce. That extra power is clearly felt, so an upgrade certainly makes sense. In Scorpion Track mode, you can get the most out of the Scorpionissima with the impressive maximum power of 207 kW and 345 Nm of torque. Speed then rises to 200 km/h with a circuit-calibrated ESP setting for optimal handling. The 0-100 km/h sprint takes just 5.85 seconds.
Custom driving modes and performance
The Abarth 600e adjusts its performance based on driving conditions and preferences. The Turismo, Scorpion Street and Scorpion Track driving modes are each tailored to specific situations. For example, Scorpion Track mode gives you maximum power and sporty ESP settings, ideal for track use. Scorpion Street mode still has plenty of power, but with a standard ESP calibration that offers more stability in normal use. This makes the Abarth 600e versatile and usable in different environments, from city to highway and even on the track.
Below the line, these are the differences by driving modes:
Abarth 600e Turismo driving modes
- Turismo: 110 kW (150 hp), 300 Nm, speed 150 km/h, standard ESP calibration, driving mode Sport
- Scorpion Street: 150 kW (204 hp), 345 Nm, speed 180 km/h, standard ESP calibration, Sport driving mode
- Scorpion Track: 175 kW (238 hp), 345 Nm, speed 200 km/h, circuit ESP calibration, driving mode Sport+
Abarth 600e Scorpionissima driving modes
- Turismo: 140 kW (191 hp), 300 Nm, speed 150 km/h, standard ESP calibration, driving mode Sport
- Scorpion Street: 170 kW (231 hp), 345 Nm, speed 180 km/h, standard ESP calibration, driving mode Sport
- Scorpion Track: 207 kW (282 hp), 345 Nm, speed 200 km/h, circuit ESP calibration, driving mode Sport+
ABARTH 600e (2025) REVIEW: sacrilege or great move?
Sound generator with potential for improvement
The sound generator in the Abarth 600e ensures that you do not forget you are driving a sporty car, despite the quiet electric drive. The sound is exhilarating and adds an extra dimension to the driving experience, although it cannot match the pops & bangs of, say, the Hyundai Ioniq 5. This is where Abarth could improve in the future to take that authentic racing experience to the next level. Still, the current sound generator offers a good alternative, keeping the ride pleasant and exciting and also almost making you forget that you are driving an EV.
Great chairs
The Abarth 600e does not disappoint when it comes to comfort and interior design. The Sabelt bucket seats in the Scorpionissima not only offer good support during sporty driving, but are also pleasing to the eye. Even the base seats in the Turismo are comfortable and offer adequate support. However, we do miss a soft finish on the side of the center console. That’s rock-hard plastic now, making your knees hurt as you attack corner after corner. Knee pads wouldn’t be out of place here. The interior of the 600e is stylishly finished, with materials such as leather and alcantara and a 10.25-inch touchscreen. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are also featured. The display also gives you insight into the car’s performance, in the form of a torque meter and even a lap timer for on circuits.
Driving assistance systems, leave those out
In terms of safety, Abarth has thought of everything, although we wouldn’t have needed to. It comes with the times, shall we say. As standard, the 600e has Lane Departure Warning, traffic sign recognition and fatigue recognition. The Scorpionissima variant adds additional features such as Blind Spot Monitoring and level 2 autonomous driving. All systems can be turned off, by the way, so no worries. The idea is mainly that you turn everything off on the track and leave everything on on the street. The speed warning and lane keeping assist can be turned off anyway, even on the street. All those beeps just aren’t fun. What is nice is the sound of the turn signal: a kind of drumbeat, original!
Alcon brakes for Abarth 600e
For the braking system, Abarth chose Alcon brakes with 380 mm discs and monobloc four-piston calipers, which ensure stable performance and efficient heat dissipation. Fine brakes, is our message! Even on the track, fading stays away for a long time.
20-inch wheels and Michelin Pilot Sport EV tires
The 20-inch alloy wheels on the Abarth 600e look imposing. However, the wheels are very susceptible to damage when touching curbs. So be extra careful when parking. The Michelin Pilot Sport EV tires (size 225/40 R20) offer excellent grip and contribute to the car’s dynamic handling. These tires are specifically designed for electric vehicles. The grip level is extremely high. The car can even touch 1G when cornering.
Range and charging capabilities
Both versions of the Abarth 600e are equipped with a 54 kWh battery. The range is around 332 kilometers (WLTP) for the Turismo and 321 kilometers (WLTP) for the Scorpionissima. During our test session, driving pleasure was more important than range. So for now, we must mostly believe the WLTP figures. In practice, keep in mind about 25 percent deviation. With a charging capacity of 100 kW, the car can be charged relatively quickly at fast charging stations. The car has an 11 kW 3-phase on-board charger, nice touch.
Price and delivery
The Abarth 600e Turismo is available from 45,990 euros, while the limited Scorpionissima version is slightly more expensive with a starting price of 49,990 euros. The edition of the Scorpionissima is limited to 1,949 units, a reference to the year of Abarth’s founding. Once all Scorpionissima are sold, the 280-hp powertrain will not disappear from the lineup. Other special editions will take its place. Expected delivery of the Abarth 600e will start in the first quarter of 2025.
Conclusion: forward-looking with classic Abarth feel
We are extremely excited about the Abarth 600e. It is rightfully an incredibly fun and, above all, well-driving electric crossover with very attractive looks. Never judge a book by its cover. Above all, the advice is: go test drive it instead of immediately saying that Abarth and electric driving do not go together. The future of Abarth is electric, so get used to it. In the form of this Abarth 600e, you really don’t come up short at all.
