New Abarth 600e Says Cheese, Features Better Power-To-Weight Ratio Than 500e

Not long now, the Abarth 500e will be joined by a zero-emission crossover dubbed Abarth 600e. Obviously twinned with the Fiat 600e, this fellow is coming to a dealership near you with a front-mounted electric drive unit with precisely 240 metric ponies on tap.

Converted to mechanical horsepower, that's 237 at full chatter. The Abarth 600e isn't only the most powerful Abarth entitled to wear license plates, though. It's on a different level from the 500e in terms of power-to-weight ratio as well. The smaller model offers in the ballpark of 110 ponies for every ton, whereas the 600e boasts circa 150 horsepower (based on the curb weight of the Fiat version).

At launch, the Italian marque will offer 1,949 examples of the so-called Scorpionissima. The launch edition's paint color is called Hypnotic Purple, and it certainly looks great in combination with the gloss-black trim, two-tone alloy wheels, and the Acid Green front-fender scorpion badges.

The in-your-face looks are furthered by a protruding roof-mounted spoiler that could put off a few prospective customers. A rear spoiler on a front-wheel-drive crossover with an electric motor-limited top speed may be overkill, but do remember that fun cars don't necessarily have to make sense.

The Abarth 500e is rated at 155 kilometers per hour, meaning 96 miles per hour. The Fiat 600e tops 150 kilometers per hour (93 miles per hour). Thus, we can look forward to a top speed of between 150 and 160 clicks from the newcomer. To be revealed in full in the coming weeks, the Abarth 600e features the very same 54-kWh battery as the Fiat version.

Of those kilowatt hours, only 51 are usable, with Fiat quoting 400 kilometers (249 miles) of driving range in the WLTP. Together with the hi-po rubber, the higher-output electric drive unit of the Abarth will ultimately result in less driving range. 200 miles (322 kilometers) on a full charge, maybe? The 600e sports Michelin tires with know-how from the world of Formula E, but alas, they could be disappointing.

According to the attached release, said rubber ensures "maximum grip and excellent racing dynamics" while also providing "limited resistance" for improved range. Limited resistance goes against maximum grip and excellent racing dynamics, which begs a simple question. Is it more of an electric vehicle tire or more of a performance tire?

Whatever the answer may be, said issue can be addressed with a set of Trofeo Rs or R888Rs. Pictured on 20-inch wheels, the Abarth 600e Scorpionissima also flaunts a mechanical limited-slip differential. Each and every Scorpionissima will be shipped with a certificate of authenticity, although one has to wonder if Abarth has thought it through. The 54-kWh battery could be out of production in a decade's time, and due to battery degradation, the certificate wouldn't add a single cent to the launch edition's resale value.