The biggest change dynamically, if you can call it that, has been the addition of the Abarth Sound Generator, a big external speaker, multi-channel amplifier and subwoofer mounted under the boot floor where the spare wheel well would be. It sounds like something from the Max Power era and makes the sound of something like that too, its booming exhaust-imitating note being a reproduction of the classic Abarth Record Monza.
Hit the starter button, and the sound from this generator is felt not only in your eardrums but through your backside, too. It’s loud, so loud in fact that Abarth says it’s on the limits of homologation. It took 6000 hours to develop and ‘petrolhead’ Abarth fans were consulted during its development.
The brand is “unapologetic” about its inclusion, Abarth’s European boss Gaetano Thorel saying it’s needed as well to “stir all the emotions”. Whatever you think of it, credit to Abarth for not shying away from the fact that electric performance cars sound poor, and that noise is so central to their involvement.
It’s the Balocco test track where we drive the 500e first, hot on the heels of some sighter laps in the 695. Waiting to leave the pits, once you’re relieved to know that the driving position in the new EV is no longer as comically high as in the petrol car, you can admire the lovely dark Alcantara trim that adorns much of a cabin that’s ultimately entirely familiar from the electric Fiat 500 otherwise. The other addition is some contrast stitching to match the strikingly named Acid Green and Poison Blue new paint colours offered.
The new Abarth is not as alive on the track as the 695, nor a car you ever feel as in tune with. Yet unlike most electric cars it doesn’t feel out of depth on circuit and it is still able to raise a smile with no drop-off in performance as the temperature of the running gear rises.
The steering is lighter and more relaxed than in the petrol car, yet retains the precision. The front end feels sharper and it turns in more keenly, offering greater resistance to understeer that ultimately still wins out.
It feels like you can carry more speed into and out of corners despite not being as fleet of foot. Braking is strong, and done chiefly by the disc brakes (yes, even at the rear, unlike in most EVs) in the Scorpion Track driving mode that limits regenerative braking from the motor.