Abarth 500e - The EV with a sting in its tail.

[@timoliver8940]

This is the size of EV I’m interested in - I don’t need continent crossing range, I don’t need people moving capacity and I don’t need something the weight of a supertanker. I suspect that it will be very much a 2nd car for most - the fun car for sunny weekends or the electric shopping trolley. It is a bit expensive BUT at least it is made in Europe and not China. I have a Mini Cooper S E that I bought as a runabout / shopping trolley to use alongside a 2020 Defender…………. The Mini is now my first use car and the Defender gets used for muddy weekends and journeys longer than the Mini’s electric range. Actually the Mini is MORE practical than my Defender 90, it has a bigger boot seats up or seats down and it has a completely flat boot with the seats folded. It’s going to be difficult to find a replacement for my Mini in a couple of years time as the next generation Mini Hatch will be built in China and I feel we need to build more EV’s in Europe and not let our tech get taken away by the Chinese Communist Party. The next Mini Countryman EV will be built in Europe (not the U.K.) but it is bigger than I need. Pity that this Abarth couldn’t have had a bit more range but I’ve lived with the Mini for nearly two years and it’s small range hasn’t been a problem at all, it just means a few more offpeak changes while I sleep or a longer sunny day to suck in the solar PV generated electrons I use as much as possible at home.

[@karlInSanDiego]

I'd argue it's a very practical car, if not extravagant vs. the Fiat 500e. The SUVs and full sized luxury cars are a design we cannot actually afford to build in a zero carbon ecosystem. They require too much emissions/energy to produce and power. As you said, the eco stuff isn't your wheelhouse, but it is mine, and the 500e is as big as we should be making cars if we want to keep building them at all. Thank you for bringing a test to the masses.

[@tonyireland2234]

Yeah a slow expensive impractical car with an appalling resale value (33%),after 20 months sounds really good economic sense.

[@markhamilton7289]

drove one on extended test drive 2 weeks ago. it was very enjoyable and actually a very grown up car. damping and ride was better over rutted roads than my 330e. fwd in the best sense in that it pulled you round corners. sound generator was tiresome and i switched it off after 10 mins. overall a very nicely sorted everyday driver,

[@carlarrowsmith]

It's nice to see that Fiat/Arbarth still do 3dr cars, such a lack of options these days.

[@apexerman1]

Of all the 500e and Abarth reviews out there, this is the most thorough. Kudos to the multiple camera shots, infographics and detailed discussion. I got a real sense of the car and I keep coming back to watch. Alas, I hope Stellantis/Fiat decides to bring the awesome Abarth to the States. We seem to have an addiction to hulkingly large vehicles and some of us would like go-kart EV's for fun. The Abarth 500e is a gem.

[@AutoEV]

Thank you very much for our kind comment. I'm really pleased to hear that you enjoyed the review, and thank you for taking the time to let us know your thoughts. Fingers crossed the Abarth makes it over the Atlantic so you guys can enjoy it too!!

[@markhamilton7289]

sound generator is in the menus under car settings and is ONLY accessible when stopped. i did suggest to the abarth guy that if they made an alternate "whooshy space sound" might be an idea and as you say ... a button for the sound

[@peterthwaites5891]

Absolutely love the looks and interior of this new Abarth 500e, as you say an on/off button for the sound generator is a must BUT as a very happy owner of a petrol 595 Scorpioneoro the jump in price is to me unacceptable, i do wish they were making (while governments allow) a petrol engine version to run along side this EV version..

[@jaapboode2719]

It makes sense to start with the weak design point of this car as a former car seller. The car, an ‘Abarth’, looks like a cuddly toy with the eyebrows above the headlights. The meaning of the 2 blue spots with the silver edges? During the test drive I see that there are buttons behind the steering wheel. Do they serve for something? Trunk lid open, roof up a bit, handy. Truck lid closed, roof stays up, handy? What remains unmentioned that it is a city car, absolutely unsuitable for a day return. ‘You want to drive it a long way,’ it is said. Indeed, but you can’t. After 2 hours you are at the charging station, if you don’t want to ride bathed in the fear sweat ‘will I make it?’. As always, a pleasant, calm and sympathetic way of presenting. Thanks!

[@friederich66]

i do not understand why fiat does not use the rear view camera when the roof is completely down. they could put this view on the inner rear mirror. but the left-foot-problem comes from the fact that you in th UK drive on the wrong side of the street. normally you enter the car from the left, like you mount a horse from the left side. and that is because as a right hander you wore the sword on the left and this is the only way to mount a horse with a sword without castrating yourself.

[@bernardhilton3527]

The next ten years are going to be very interesting in the automotive world. Stellantis are reworking their dealerships, some of which have started selling MG’s. European car makers are producing ever more expensive EV’s. There are some very ordinary brands that are approaching Tesla Model 3 prices. Inevitably there will be some casualties. In these cash strapped times there is a decreasing number of people who will pay over the odds for a “name” or in this case cute Italian styling.

[@stuartmurphy6739]

This review has convinced me to get one.. Thank you.. Black mind you..

[@penderic3415]

Mic the mechanical noisey bits and filter for selected wave forms that are appealing ...Hey! why not LOUD tire treads that sound like a good v12 engine when rolling? (use a plastic card held against the spokes?) (3 cyl. sound effects are nice too).

[@noramatten-esalenmassage]

As a Fiat 500e owner I want to WARN and DISCOURAGE people from buying a Fiat 500 electric. My High Voltage battery failed with only 17054 Miles on it and while it is still under warranty Fiat/ Stelantis has still not agreed to repair my car under warranty ( its been at the dealer for 10 month) despite the dealer and star agreeing that it has a failed HV battery and BPCM. Instead I am supposed to repair the PIM a $16.000 yes $16.000 !!! repair that they can't show me a code for. Go on line and you will see that there are MANY Fiat 500e owners who have shared my experience. Its a wonderful car as long as nothing goes wrong and you are not in need of help from the manufacturer. They have NOT been helpful and THEY HAVE NOT HONORED THE WARRANTY.

[@lukeryan559]

Legal action is required

[@cadude145]

I live in the Southwest if the United States. Having a car with 167 miles of range and calling it a Turismo is ironic at best. That mileage would get me to the nearest town maybe two times at full charge. Just going to the store would cause range anxiety. 😢

[@tshikosiphathutshedzotshik1396]

I would buy this if it comes to South Africa

[@enzoduke495]

Lovely little car but I could not spend that kind of money in a such small car. Probably waiting for the Renault 5 E would be a better choice for me

[@AutoEV]

Or the new Alpine. You’ll be wanting to watch our upcoming review of the Goodwood Festival of Speed to see that car and our thoughts.

[@JonathanMorris777]

I wonder how the second hand values will be, given a second hand EV is a lot less risky for a buyer than an ICE one - especially any car with performance that encourages 'enthusiastic' driving. Bar the suspension and tyres, there's not much else to go wrong - so this car will likely be as good in ten years as it is today.

[@cestmoi7829]

Great reviews

[@catrionahall8435]

Still love it

[@paulhammond5599]

Looks great fun, love to know what it’s like for someone my size (6’4”). So many just not designed for us taller guys, have your knees tight to the steering wheel lol.

[@petedee7847]

I agree! I am 6'4" too, and have been considering an ICE Artbarth 595 as a weekend car (with my EV for the rest of the time)...I have been too embarrassed to go and have a look and sit in one for fear of looking like a squashed frog 😄

[@paulhammond5599]

@@petedee7847 Know that feeling only too well 😂😂

[@AutoEV]

I normally wouldn't do this, but take a look at Fully Charged's review by Jack Scarlett. He is widely acknowledged as the world's tallest (and funniest) EV motoring hack. He's taller than 6'4" I'd say and he fits in it. (PS - once you have watched it, don't forget to come back to AutoEV for proper road test reviews though, not those silly ones Fully Charged do......)

[@petedee7847]

@@AutoEV I only watch Fully Charged for Jack Scarlett reviews. AutoEV is far more in-depth, informative and trusted!

[@AutoEV]

@@petedee7847 you’re saying all the right things, you smooth-talker!😉🤣

[@colingoode3702]

Good looking car but that price it's a complete turn off. £36-40k+ for a 2 seat (no one is going in the back) small car with a tiny boot & limited range is just too much. TBH even the base Fiat 500e is overpriced for what it is so this Abarth didn't stand a chance on the affordability front. Not my type of car really. I'm still waiting for a full size Estate EV that is affordable (MG5 is not big enough).

[@SRT54]

Can anyone identify Bryan’s watch?

[@AutoEV]

I can put you out of your misery if you want to know? Or were you asking if anyone else knew as you know what it is?

[@SRT54]

@@AutoEV I wanted to know, so you can put me out of my misery 😬

[@AutoEV]

@@SRT54 it’s an MHD CR1. Designed by Matthew Humphries, ex-head of design for Morgan Cars. He designed the AeroMax. I have a few of his timepieces. All of them are designed with automotive references. Have a look at his website.

[@SRT54]

@@AutoEV Thanks!

[@wayneheyes904]

Looks amazing should have been a petrol hybrid they have now made the abarth seriously overpriced with very little range

[@octarinehk]

Can you set a max charing limit for overnight charging? I had a Fiat 500 and that would always charge itself to 100% overnight.

[@soterispetri3320]

You’re not going to go for a very long drive at 164 miles range

[@timtam6442]

About 164 miles would be my guess

[@macrichardson7904]

I am somewhat excited about this HOWEVER seeing that low level of power and 0-60 spec makes me think this is going to disappoint many of us Abarth lovers. It's just not fast enough!

[@AutoEV]

Hmm, I will disagree with you to a point. If you’ve been used to the later Abarth, the 695, etc, then yes, maybe. My first one was a 2009 car and it had just 135bhp and this car reminds me of that in terms of its performance. I’m sure this is just the start of what is to come from the brand though. But trust me, it drives brilliantly. Thanks for taking the time to watch and comment.

[@primafacie6442]

Just get a BMW i3s……rear drive, more power, more torque, lighter, hence quicker all with a more sophisticated design (carbon tub)

[@karlInSanDiego]

When the 12V battery fails, how do you open the car and pop the bonnet? Those electric door triggers are naff.

[@buzzofftoxicblog791]

😅 I love the look of it love small fun cars ... but rwd or AWD and zoooom I would need more zooom and definitely would change the noise for more. something like a spaceship noise. not a stinky toxic ice car noise yuk 😂😂✨😂 #buzzoffftoxic #TIEDAMEW

[@Pontiakos]

35k for a 160-mile range car is stupid. This car should not cost more the 20k for the range it provides. 35k should offer double that range which is impossible on this chassis

[@AutoEV]

Don’t get hung up on range on a car that isn’t designed to deliver range. We have to understand that EVs are now so common place, each has its place in a market sector. It’s like suggesting a petrol Abarth 500 is no good because it can’t do 600 miles to a tank. The fact is, this is a fun car, and it stands to be considered as such. I saw a Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS in a Porsche dealer today priced at £195k. Is that worth it? A car is worth what it is to the person buying it based on its functionality, not it’s ability compared with cars at the same price from other sectors. Has what I’ve said made sense? Hopefully it does, but so let me know!

[@wayneheyes904]

And why the hell are they mixing the old logo with the new logo! Just give the car the new logo!!!

[@nealy2815]

500 is a lovely car. Practicality not great. Price high.

[@StefTechSurfer]

600e

[@earlbee3196]

I’ll take it in Ferrari, red or black.

[@Lookbusybuddy]

Should only be commuter cars.

[@AutoEV]

Why?

[@outfoxthefox]

I have had four Fiat's, never again no matter what badge you put on it.

[@myfavoritethings4504]

£43k 😂😂😂 no Fing way.

[@DeLorean4]

its tail*

[@nathanielpantling148]

When the EX30 is the same price as this, it makes absolutely no sense to buy this car.

[@AutoEV]

Completely different target market. That’s like saying there is no point in buying a Porsche 911 as a Range Rover is the same price. You can’t compare the two cars. My point is made in the video, there is now an EV in every segment of the market, so why are we hell bent on comparing apples to oranges still?

[@ohyesitsme]

@@AutoEV I guess it's a value for money thing

[@rogermartinez78]

Not everyone want a CUV my friend, some of us want an electric hot hatch, I went with the Mini Cooper electric.

[@tonyireland2234]

​@@AutoEVso if every segment is covered where is the EV equivalent to a lightweight 2 seater convertible(a proper convertible),like an MX5 ?

[@AutoEV]

@@tonyireland2234 MG Cyberster.

[@earlbee3196]

🇭🇺🕶️🫒 ✌🏻🧑🏻‍🦱✌🏻

[@jeremyrogers5103]

I think your reviews are becoming too ponderous and arrogant. Shame - we need all the EV reviews we can get but I find after three minutes I just cant watch this over-stuffed guff any longer. Less reviewer, more review, more punchy (precise) and I might return

[@AutoEV]

I'm sorry to hear that you didn't enjoy the review. I do try and keep the time down, but we find our audience prefers the longer, more detailed approach as it helps in their buying decision. But I appreciate that they won't be for everyone. Thank you for persevering and taking the time to comment. Hopefully you will come back to us again in the future. Bryan @ AutoEV.

[@ohyesitsme]

I agree in some respects though AutoEV is no different to many other EV reviewers. What concerns me is that most UK reviewers only give you their subjective take on the car. We can all see what it looks like and if we are interested then we can go see it in the flesh. What we don't get is an indepth review on how the car actually performs. There is no real world charging or a proper road test for consumption or range at different speeds. The only reviewer that I have found that actually gives you valid information on EV's is Bjorn Nyland (TeslaBjorn) I think most EV reviewers are just lazy in this respect.

[@Petelmrg]

If I’m looking to spend x thousands on a car, I think I’ll happily listen to someone being thorough, thank you.

[@andrewleventis8341]

Huge EVs are a massive waste, small EVs make a lot of sense

[@AutoEV]

Lots of new small EVs coming to market this year. Should be interesting.

[@Clansman63]

Great review but the car is 💩. I can buy 2 second hand comps for the price of this with bags more character.

[@AutoEV]

In terms of price, there is no doubt that you can buy two Comps for the same money. And I won’t deny that in terms of character, they have it in abundance. So yes, in many ways this is a very valid point you raise. However, as we move towards electrification, it is great to see a brand like Abarth throw themselves wholeheartedly into it and produce a great car like to 500e. You have to bear in mind that manufacturers have had over 100 years of internal combustion engines to get to their current level of interaction, so to get an EV as close as this in a short space of time, should be commended. I’m really looking forward to driving the new Abarth 600e, but I do fear in terms of price, that while be chunky. But then I’ve driven the new MINI Countryman JCW (petrol) and it’s over £40k, so the Abarth should be competitive with that, fingers crossed. Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment.

[@Clansman63]

@AutoEV As you can, probably tell i am not convinced by fossil fuels heating up the planet or else we would stop deforestation as trees and the oceans need C02 to survive and produce oxygen for us to breath. Instead, we chop down all the trees to make way for palm oil and cattle so we can have 💩 burgers from fast food companies, and then we make batteries with fossil fuels for electric cars most people can't charge or afford with rare earth minerals we don't have enough of.🤪🤪🤪🤪🤪 Gases like man made sulphur hexafluride sf6 used by electricity companies are 23000 times more damaging to the climate 🤫 and can not be degraded by the planet. They will sit in our atmosphere for over 1000 years, so the last thing I'm worried about is my little comp killing us all and turning to buy EV 💩. As for the 600e Abarth, nice-looking suv but needs a record monza quad exhaust and a 300hp 2.0 engine they would sell a lot more, and it would sound a hell of a lot better than the sowing machine it's going to be. End of rant 👍

[@ohyesitsme]

Sorry, Noddy car. Just one word.........MG4 X

[@colinrenfrew48]

A pointless car. Fiat need to produce truly innovative cars that people want…like the Uni/Punto etc.

[@AutoEV]

But this isn’t a Fiat. It’s an Abarth, and that is a very different brand. That’s my point. It’s not a Fiat 500 Abarth, Abarth is a standalone brand that has taken a Fiat 500 and enhanced it. But, I do agree with you regarding Fiat: they need to start innovating again. And from what I have heard, the new Panda will see a return to form. Thanks for watching and sharing your thoughts.

[@ohyesitsme]

@@AutoEV It's a Fiat (ex Fiat Abarth Punto Esseesse owner) No true Abarth owner would would consider this as a replacement.

[@AutoEV]

@@ohyesitsme Sorry, I disagree. I'm a multiple ex-Fiat owner and Abarth owner. And I have spent a lot of time with the Abarth engineers that worked on this car. Trust me, its an Abarth.

[@ohyesitsme]

@@AutoEV Without Fiat there would be no Abarth

[@ohyesitsme]

@@AutoEV Well, that doesn't make sense. " But it isn't a Fiat" but " taken a Fiat 500 and enhanced it" But it's not a Fiat?