2024 Abarth 500e price and specs: $60,000 pint-sized electric hot hatch

The 2024 Abarth 500e electric hot hatch will be priced from $60,500 plus on-road costs when it arrives in Australian showrooms by the end of this year.

The Abarth version of the new Fiat 500e electric city hatch costs 66 per cent more than its petrol counterpart, the Abarth 695 Competizione manual.

The electric 500e hot hatch expected to be sold alongside the petrol 695 for the next year or so before Abarth goes electric-only globally in the next 18 months.

Due in "late 2023" is the Scorpionissima launch edition, priced from $60,500 plus on-road costs and limited to 219 examples – ahead of the arrival of a cheaper model, the Turismo, next year priced from $58,900 plus on-road costs.

They cost $8000 and $6400 more than the regular Fiat 500e on which the new hot hatch is based – and compare to $36,400 plus on-roads for the petrol Abarth 695 Competizione manual.

Powering the Abarth 500e is a 114kW/235Nm front electric motor and a 42kWh battery, good for a 0-100km/h acceleration time of 7.0 seconds, and 252km of claimed driving range in European WLTP lab testing.

It compares to 87kW/220Nm, 0-100km/h in 9.0 seconds, and 311km of claimed range for the Fiat version.

DC fast charging at up to 85kW is available, for a zero to 80 per cent fast charge in 35 minutes.

Fitted is an Abarth Sound Generator that is intended to mimic the sound of the petrol Abarth's exhaust, while there are three drive modes: Turismo (comfort mode), Scorpion Street (the full power output, and stronger regenerative braking) and Scorpion Track (less regenerative braking for race-track use).

Standard features include 18-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, a 7.0-inch instrument display, 10.25-inch touchscreen, heated front sports seats trimmed in Alcantara, and a suite of advanced safety technology.

The 2024 Abarth 500e is due in Australian showrooms by the end of this year in Scorpionissima trim – limited to 219 examples out of the 1949-car global production run – ahead of the regular Turismo version next year.

Note: All prices above exclude on-road costs.