Fiat’s Abarth hot-hatch division to build an electric SUV – report

Italian car maker Fiat is planning to give its new electric small SUV – the 600e – the Abarth high-performance treatment, according to a new overseas report.

UK publication Autocar claims the Abarth 600e is due in 2025, and will become the performance brand's flagship model – and second electric car – above the 500e city electric hot hatch.

It would not be Abarth's first SUV, as it has previously applied its name to a sporty version of the Fiat Pulse petrol city SUV sold in South America.

When asked about the "viability" of an Abarth 600e, CEO of Fiat and Abarth, Olivier Francois, reportedly told the UK publication: "It’s logical."

Specifications of the Abarth 600e are not known, however it is expected to increase power and sharpen handling compared to the regular model.

In the Abarth 500e, power is increased to 114kW – from 87kW in the donor Fiat – with torque up from 220Nm, to 235Nm. Energy is provided from the same 42kWh lithium-ion battery as the regular model.

The regular Fiat 600e – which uses different underpinnings – is powered by a 54kWh battery and a 115kW electric motor.

If the 500e is a guide, other enhancements Abarth may apply to the 600e could include a Scorpion Track driving mode, unique styling – such as sportier bumpers and unique paint – plus Abarth plaques, bright stitching on the seats and a sports steering wheel inside.

According to Mr Francois, Fiat will leave the sale of performance cars to Abarth. It is in reference to the 124 Spider roadster of 2017 to 2020 – the twin of the Mazda MX-5 – which was sold exclusively as an Abarth in Australia, but offered a regular Fiat version in Europe and the US.

“That is the beauty of [parent company] Stellantis: we are a house of [14] brands,” the executive reportedly said. “That means each brand must have a clear purpose and make money.

“For Fiat, we make money. We are simple. We are smaller cars. We are not sports cars. We are not luxury. We are not big cars.”