Abarth’s second electric hot hatch will arrive next year as the brand’s most powerful model to date and will use a bespoke chassis set-up developed by motorsport engineers.
Highly expected to be called the 600e, following the naming strategy started by the Abarth 500e and its Fiat 500e sibling, the new hot hatch will be equipped with a 237bhp powertrain, eclipsing the smaller model by 85bhp.
The brand’s current most powerful model, the Abarth 695 Biposto Record, produces 187bhp from a 1.4-litre four-pot.
This jump in power over the 500e is expected to give the 600e a big jump in straight line speed over its sibling’s 6.8sec 0-60mph sprint, although Abarth has previously said blistering acceleration from rest – a hallmark of electric cars – isn’t the outright aim of its new-era line-up and it’s instead focusing on better mid-range performance.
Like its 500e sibling, the 600e will also look to retain the brand’s fun-to-drive mantra. This is shown by Abarth’s partnership with parent group Stellantis’ motorsport division, which has tweaked the Fiat 600e’s eCMP platform – which it doesn’t share with the 500e that sits on a PSA architecture – to make it more driver-oriented.
Renamed the Perfo-eCMP, it gets a sportier suspension set-up, unique EV-focused limited slip differential, an advanced braking system (with bigger brakes) and bespoke Formula E-derived tyres. These changes give the Abarth better handling and driving dynamics, the brand says.
“The outcome is a jewel, a new shining star”, the brand said, with “the most effective trajectories and guarantee excellent racing dynamics in all kinds of conditions” to “create the best package that ensures fun, performance”.
These changes will be best felt in the 600e’s Scorpion Track driving mode, which like it’s smaller sibling, it is expected to offer like its despite its crossover proportions.