RAY MASSEY: New Abarth 500e convertible is such a rare sporty treat!

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There are two versions in both hatch and cabriolet form
The top speed is 90 mph and this really is a hot-hatch

Updated: 03:16 EDT, 26 August 2023

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With the roof wide open, the windows down and the sun shining in, I was having so much fun in the feisty new Abarth 500e convertible.

It really is hot-hatch, with enough exhilaration and agility to put a smile on your face and worthy of the classic Abarth scorpion badge.

There are two versions in both hatch and cabriolet form — the standard 500e and the more powerful 500e Turismo, the soft-top version of which I was driving.

Riding on 18in diamond-cut alloy wheels and powered by a 42.2kWh battery, it develops 113.7kW of power (152 hp), which allows the zero-emissions electric car to accelerate from rest to 31mph in just 2.9 seconds — which makes it especially swift from a standing start — and up to 62 mph in seven seconds. The top speed is 90 mph.

Driving in 'one-pedal' mode means you brake gently the moment you take your foot off the accelerator. It makes for more efficient driving and also generates extra battery power.

A fine pedigree: The new, all-electric Abarth 500e Turismo Convertible

Range is limited to about 150 miles — fine for city driving, commuting and the occasional longer trip. Anything more and you'll need to plan charging stops. Fast charging to 80 per cent takes 35 minutes, with 25 miles of range achievable in five minutes.

The tiny 185-litre boot expands to 550 litres with the rear seats down.

Abarth is the sporting performance arm of Fiat and the 500e is the more powerful version of the top-selling and award-winning Fiat 500e.

Range is limited to about 150 miles — fine for city driving, commuting and the occasional longer trip

Abarth's origins go back to 1949 and founder Carlo Abarth, whose firm tuned up basic Fiats for racing and the potent Scorpion badge is a nod to his star sign

Abarth is the sporting performance arm of Fiat and the 500e is the more powerful version of the top-selling and award-winning Fiat 500e

There are two versions in both hatch and cabriolet form — the standard 500e and the more powerful 500e Turismo

The tiny 185-litre boot expands to 550 litres with the rear seats down

The car has an 'Abarth Sound Generator' which produces the sound of an original Abarth engine

Fast charging to 80 per cent takes 35 minutes, with 25 miles of range achievable in five minutes

Riding on 18in diamond-cut alloy wheels and powered by a 42.2kWh battery, it develops 113.7kW of power (152 hp)

The reborn Fiat 500 is credited with saving the firm — now part of the motor conglomerate Stellantis, which also includes Britain's Vauxhall, Peugeot, Citroen, Alfa Romeo and Jeep.

Abarth's origins go back to 1949 and founder Carlo Abarth, whose firm tuned up basic Fiats for racing. The potent Scorpion badge is a nod to his star sign.

Now here's a gripe. This car has an 'Abarth Sound Generator' which produces the sound of an original Abarth engine. Switch it off — it's just a gimmick that mars a superb car with plenty to shout about.

My pocket rocket Turismo Cabriolet was in a fetching and shade called Poison Blue (new along with Acid Green), and there's also the option of Antidote White, Venom Black, Adrenaline Red.

That paint added £600 to the already hefty base price of £41,195, taking the total as driven up to £41,795.

The electric Abarth 500e range starts from £34,195 (Hatch) and £37,195 (Convertible).

My crib-sheet told me – in words guaranteed to cause any heart to sink – that switching the sound on and off is 'configurable in settings'. Really? I went slowly mad trying to shut it down! I followed the car manual's official instructions. No joy. Round and round in circles through the 'settings' menu I went, with increasing frustration.

Will it fit in my garage? Abarth 500e Turismo Convertible

Base price: £41,195 Price as driven: £41,796 (including special paint)

Abarth 500e range starts from £34,195 (Hatch) and £37,195 (Convertible)

Length: 3,673mm Width: 1,683mm Width (with mirrors): 1,900mm Height: 1,518mm Wheelbase: 2,322mm Weight: 1,435kg

Propulsion: electric motor Power: 113.7kW / 152horse-power Battery: 42.2kWh

Acceleration

0-31mph: 2.9 seconds 0-62mph: 7.0 seconds

Top speed: 96mph Range: 150 miles

Charging times

85kW DC fast charger: 25 miles of charge in 5 minutes, 80% charge in 35 minutes

11kW AC wallbox charger: 4 hours and 15 minutes

Driving modes

Turismo – for cruising Scorpion Street – for performance driving Scorpion track – for optimum performance and track use (disables one-pedal driving)

Features

One pedal driving, Front heated sports seats, 360-degree parking sensors, Wireless phone charging

Safety

Blind spot detection, Autonomous emergency braking, Drowsy driver detection, Vulnerable road user protection, Traffic sign information

Eventually I had to phone for help – and even this was not straightforward. But eventually I got there.

Why not just a simple button on the dashboard that shows an exhaust pipe and says clearly: 'OFF'?

Incredibly Abarth spent more than 6,000 hours analysing and creating 'the optimum sound'.

Fine to impress your friends for a few minutes of jollity and bragging rights. But then it starts to really grate.

Sometimes silence really is golden – especially on an electric car. Memo to Abarth bosses in Turin: sort it out!

Tasty festivals for Bank Holiday

As we head into the Bank Holiday weekend, a trio of late summer car festivals are under way or soon to begin — with something for every taste.

CarFest (carfest.org) continues today and tomorrow at Laverstoke Park Farm, Hants (owned by former F1 champion Jody Scheckter), offering adrenaline-fuelled family fun with classic, performance and racing cars, live music and food.

Something for every taste: As we head into the Bank Holiday weekend, a trio of late summer car festivals are under way or soon to begin

The Concours of Elegance (concoursofelegance.co.uk) showcases some of the world's rarest and most spectacular vehicles — including an exquisite array of the most desirable Bugattis — in the royal and historic grounds of Hampton Court Palace, West London. It runs from September 1-3.

Salon Privé at Blenheim Palace (salonpriveconcours.com) also begins next week and runs from August 30 to September 2's 'Supercar Saturday'.

Linda Jackson inducted into the Motoring Hall of Fame

Pioneering British car executive Linda Jackson has been inducted into the Motoring Hall of Fame, which celebrates excellence in the industry.

The Coventry-born global chief executive of Peugeot cars since 2021, and before that of Citroen, was one of four leading lights who were honoured at the British Motor Show last week at Farnborough International Exhibition Centre, Hampshire.

Excellence: Pioneering British car executive Linda Jackson has been inducted into the Motoring Hall of Fame

The others are: former Aston Martin chief executive and ex-Nissan chief operating officer Dr Andy Palmer, currently running charging company PodPoint; Institute of the Motor Industry's Steve Nash, who is spearheading the professional body's push to improve training; and lastly Vera Park, Jaguar Advanced Design's lead exterior designer.

They are among 39 leading figures to have been inducted since 2010. More details at: motoringhalloffame.com

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