Abarth 600e long-term test
It looks the part, but can the electric Abarth 600e deliver the driving thrills of a traditional hot hatch? We're living with one to find out...
The car Abarth 600e Scorpionissima Run by Mark Pearson, used cars editor
Why it’s here To see if a small electric sports SUV can cut the mustard against combustion-engined rivals
Needs to It’ll need to be fun, but it’ll also need to dispatch commuting, work and family life without any range anxiety issues and cope with a wide variety of everyday duties
Miles covered 4895 Price £39,885 Best price £35,995 Price as tested £39,885 Official range 199 miles Test range 155 miles
19 December 2025 – Putting the boot in
Never one to follow the herd, I thought I’d start this update on my striking-looking 276bhp Abarth 600e, with its Hypontic Purple paintwork, 20in alloy wheels, sticky gumball tyres, and eye-catching rear spoiler by telling you how practical its boot is.
You see, I am in the course of converting my old motorcycle into something more modern, and the discarded bits from the original bike were easily transported back to my garage in the 600e’s boot.
At 360 litres, this boot is the same size as the one you’d find in a Mini Countryman or a Seat Ibiza. Impressively, it swallowed the bike’s old tank, fairing, front forks and two wheels without having to lower the rear seats.
It might have a good boot, but of course, a car like this is all about the driving. I’m admiring that, too, though not without reservations. I like the steering, which is nicely weighted and pleasingly direct but not so quick as to be twitchy.
However, under heavy acceleration, if you employ a good dollop of the 600e’s pulling power, the steering wheel will writh and squirm in your hands, and the car does a little dance while the whole plot decides what it wants to do, a phenomenon known as torque steer. It sounds disturbing if you’re not familiar with it, but it’s the sort of thing motoring enthusiasts secretly embrace as a sign of abundant power.
In corners, grip levels are high, and its handling is eager, nicely balanced, and yes, dare I say it, good fun. There’s little body lean in bends taken quickly, and no discernible body movement at all under acceleration or heavy braking.
The bad news is that as a corollary of that stiff suspension, the ride is unbelievably firm. Now, you’d expect a sporty car like this to be a little firm, but there are degrees. The 600e feels as if its wheels and tyres are made of concrete, and it rides like it's going down a flight of stairs. If a bunch of chiropractors had gotten together to design a car, this would be it.
So I’m learning new routes that avoid speed humps and sleeping policemen, but incorporate more roundabouts. If I arrive a little late for any appointments, I hope I’ll be forgiven.
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