Abarth: Sound synthetic, driving pleasure real
NEW AGE For the Italian sports car manufacturer Abarth, the shift to electromobility is linked to an important brand trademark: the sound. So the model strategists had to come up with something.
The new electric version of the Abarth 500e also features unmistakable sporty design elements - with Abarth lettering in titanium gray on the engine and trunk hood, 17- or 18-inch alloy wheels, striking side sills, matte gray exterior mirror caps, diffuser and brand logos on the rear fenders. The interior is of course no less dynamic.
Dark trim on the pillars and headliner, sports seats with embossed trim stripes and double stitching, and the sports steering wheel create an Abarth ambience. The central instrument is formed by two large displays, and a 10.25-inch touchscreen controls the Uconnect Radio with Navi infotainment system.
Full power from the first meter
Thanks to the powerful 235 Nm of torque from the 113 kW electric motor (155 hp) and the good weight distribution, the electric Abarth is extremely agile, as it impressively demonstrated during test drives on the small circuit at Lignières. It can be pushed precisely and remarkably quickly through tight and wide curves. Depending on the driver's preference, it does this in Scorpion Street or Scorpion Track mode - in the first case with strong recuperation, i.e. practically in 1-pedal operation. It takes just 7.0 seconds to sprint from a standstill to 100 km/h. The Scorpion-Street mode is also available in the Scorpion-Track mode. In the normal Turismo mode, slightly less maximum power is available, but this is hardly noticeable in everyday traffic. And then ranges of up to 265 kilometers are possible with the 42-kWh battery.
Sound like a gasoline engine
Thanks to the sound generator, the E-Abarth also performs with the notorious sport sound. The sound system, which was elaborately developed by a special sound design team, does indeed have a very real acoustic effect, as the running noises of the gasoline engine were recorded and synthetically reproduced in all phases and driving conditions. Nevertheless, whether an electric car really has to come along with combustion engine noises remains a question of taste.
Of course, the legal regulations for noise are complied with and, of course, the sound coming from the external rear speaker can be switched on and off by the driver. Prices start at 37,990 francs, and 40,990 francs in the case of the convertible. The electric Abarth is available in the special colors Poison Blue and Acid Green, as well as in white, black and red.
