600e injects hot hatch appeal into EV sector

Abarth's sting in the tail is a tingle of EV fun, writes Tom Sharpe

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With a name as colourful as the Abarth 600e Scorpionissima the Italian performance brand's electric hot hatch is expected to have something of a sting in its tail.

A deep front bumper, square-set boot spoiler and 20-inch alloys that define a stance some 30m wider at the front and 25mm wider at the rear than the Fiat 600e it is based on only heighten the expectation.

As does evidence that, despite a 51kWh battery and single-speed gearboxreplacing a revvy petrol engine and slick-shifting manual, the Abarth 600e follows a familiar hot hatch recipe.

Its 276bhp and 345Nm of torque are channelled the tarmac via the front wheels via a Torsen differential.

Aside from a pair of excellent Sabelt bucket seats, a smattering of Alcantara trim and acid yellow stitching, the interior is a little underwhelming.