Abarth 500 EV: electric hot hatch spotted ahead of reveal

A fully-electric hot hatch that could come to Australia has just been spied during promotional filming

Images of Abarth’s new 500 EV fully-electric have surfaced before its official reveal on November 22.

The much-anticipated high-performance follow-up to the Fiat-branded 500e has been teased repeatedly by the brand but the hot hatch has now been spied uncovered during filming.

Abarth 500 EV 2023 leak front 3/4 2 — The Abarth 500 EV has been spied ahead of its offical reveal

The images shared by Instagram user carzturbo show the 500 EV wrapped in a shade of electric yellow paintwork complete with ‘Abarth’ lettering on the doors and bonnet.

Featuring the same particularly sunken headlights as the Fiat version, the Abarth dials up the aggression with a wider stance courtesy of a unique front bumper and side skirts.

Abarth 500 EV 2023 leak front 3/4 — The images appear to be taken during promotional filming

Large wheels of a sharp design can be seen within the image, the same design that was teased by Abarth on social media just days earlier.

Once it goes on sale, the Abarth 500 EV will compete with other rivals in the newly emerging hot hatch EV segment, with potential rivals from Alpine and performance versions of the Mini SE.

Performance yet to be uncovered

It remains to be seen what lies under the bonnet but if the combustion version sold in Australia is to be of any comparison, the powertrain is likely to be quite a bit more potent than the standard Fiat 500e.

Abarth 595 Competizione rear — Its likely that the Abarth version will pack quite a bit more performance

In Europe, the 500e is available with either a 70kW or 87kW electric motor mounted on the front axle, powered by either a 24kWh or 42kWh battery pack. The batteries provide a range claim of 185 kilometres and 320km respectively, according to WLTP testing standards.

It’s likely that the Abarth 500 EV will boast outputs similar to that of its combustion version, which uses a 1.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine to produce 132kW of power and 250Nm of torque in 595 Competizione guise.

Fiat 500e 2022 front — The regular Fiat 500e has already been confirmed for Australia

Will it come to Australia?

Fiat confirmed earlier this year that the ‘regular’ 500e would be coming to Australia to join the combustion-powered model that has been on sale locally since 2008.

The Italian brand launched the second-generation 500 in 2020 which, unlike its predecessor, is only available as an electric vehicle.

Given that parent company Stellantis has consistently offered the 500 in Australia in both Fiat and Abarth guises, as well as offering the new electric version next year, it appears likely that the new fully-electric hot hatch will come to Australia.