Abarth plots new petrol 500 hot hatch

Latest Fiat 500 Hybrid could pave the way for a return to sporty combustion engined models for Italian brand

- Richard Ingram [e-mail]

THE Abarth 500e could soon be reinvented as a petrol hot hatchback, according to the brand's European boss. Using the recently announced Fiat 500 Hybrid as a base, it appears the maker is working on plans to offer a “thermic engine” that would replace the now-defunct Abarth 595 in the maker's EV-only lineup.