Abarth 600e review

The Abarth 600e goes on sale in mid-November, priced from £36,975. The limited-run Scorpionissima comes in at £41,975 and as mentioned is restricted to 1,949 units. That's a nod to the year Abarth was founded by the way, not a number plucked out of the thin Turin air.

What are the key differences?

Aside from the performance-y bits, the Abarth 600e makes some big gains in the cabin over the Fiat. You still get the same 10.25in infotainment screen, but a modified seven-inch digital cluster with bespoke graphics and sounds.

There’s a new and partially Alcantara steering wheel, aluminium pedals and privacy glass, while the darkened interior theme has yellow accents dotted around so it doesn’t feel overly morbid.

And the Scorpionissima?

That gets more power and builds on the 600e with an even more appealing interior, including heated, foam-supported bucket seats, new belts, striped fabric headrests and matt black dashboard trim with glossy patterns (as opposed to a plain black theme).

You also get more scorpion badging and a tunnel pad cover for the forward-most centre console storage compartment.

The safety suite gains blind spot monitor and traffic sign recognition too, plus power-folding mirrors and a hands-free tailgate.

Which one should I go for?

Five grand is a big jump but if you can stretch to it, the Scorpionissima is a much better car. It feels way more upmarket inside, and although the performance isn’t a significant step-up, the noise generator makes it instantly more involving.