Abarth 600e 2025 review – Italy gives the Alpine A290 something to worry about

Abarth isn’t known for producing dull cars, having been responsible for everything from aero-honed record setters to the boisterous 595 in its 75-year history. The introduction of the all-electric 500e marked the beginning of the end for its combustion-powered models, and while bold styling and a burbling (read: annoying) fake sound generator gave it some degree of character, its lukewarm performance left us wanting more. But now, Abarth has launched the 600e to give us just that.

In light of concerns about the brand’s transition to electric power, Abarth has addressed this head-on at the model’s international launch. Marketing boss Francesco Morosini made it clear that the people behind the brand remain petrol heads at heart, but that they ‘don’t make the rules’ and instead need to follow them. This isn’t to say the 600e is compromised, though, with Abarth keen to stress that it’s the company’s most accomplished model yet.

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The most powerful road-going Abarth to date, the hot 600e is built on the same e-CMP platform as the Alfa Romeo Junior, targeting the likes of the Alpine A290 and Cupra Born with a larger footprint than its 500e relative. Available in standard and limited (for now) Scorpionissima forms, there are two power outputs available, but both come with the same underlying hardware developed using know-how from Stellantis Motorsport. We get behind the wheel on UK roads for the first time to find out what the Abarth 600e delivers beyond its numbers.

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Abarth 600e: in detail

• Powertrain and technical highlights > A new, more potent electric motor and a proper mechanical limited-slip differential contribute to its high output and engaging drive
• Performance and 0-62 time > The hot 600e is rapid in any of its forms, with plenty of accessible performance on tap at road speeds
• Ride and handling > Responsive, balanced and playful on the limit, the Abarth 600e is one of the most engaging EVs in its class
• MPG and running costs > Efficiency is far from best in class. Combine this with a relatively small battery pack and overall range is lower than most of its rivals
• Interior and tech > While materials could be more premium, the cabin features a good number of physical buttons and Abarth-specific additions 
• Design > A purposeful stance, striking colours and eccentric design touches help the Abarth 600e stand out from the crowd 

Price, specs and rivals

The Abarth 600e range starts at £36,975 for the standard car, which trades the sound generator, an electric tailgate and the supportive Sabelt bucket seats for a lower price tag. If you have £39,875 (reduced from £41,975 to avoid the luxury car tax) to spend, the Scorpionissima is within reach, boasting more power, unique interior touches and virtually all kit as standard, with all UK cars essentially one spec. This model is limited to 1949 units at launch, but Abarth says it will produce more should demand be strong enough.

The Alpine A290 GT Performance (£36,000) and 254bhp Mini John Cooper Works Electric (£38,420) are the closest rivals on paper, with the £42,295 Alfa Romeo Junior Veloce near-identical under the skin. While the Alpine A290 certainly looks the part and starts from a marginally lower price than the Abarth, it doesn’t have the performance to match it. In standard trim the Alpine makes do with just 178bhp, rising to only 217bhp in its most potent form, and while it’s around 200kg lighter, the lack of a mechanical limited-slip differential puts it a step behind the 600e. We’ll have to wait a little longer to see how the Mini fares.

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Elsewhere, the entry-level £36,475 Cupra Born offers better range at 264 miles, with the 429bhp MG4 XPower (£36,495) more powerful for less money, but neither are as engaging as the Abarth. There’s also the £46,225 Volkswagen ID.3 GTX which shares the same underpinnings as the Cupra Born, but it too fails to match the engagement of the 600e. The 500e is a step down in size and performance and commands £34,195, £2780 less than its bigger sibling.

If you can stomach its range, the hot 600e is an excellent first step into the EV world for keen drivers, offering an engaging drive and some of that classic Abarth character we’ve all come to love.

Abarth 600e specs