Overview
- Abarth’s European chief acknowledges loyal buyers want internal combustion, citing frustration that EVs cannot be easily modified.
- UK volumes have slumped to 273 cars year to date versus 954 a year earlier and 5,631 in 2018, according to SMMT data.
- Engineers are exploring a petrol or hybrid derivative based on the new Fiat 500 Hybrid, but the current 1.0-litre triple is deemed too weak for the brand’s character.
- Packaging and cooling constraints from a platform not designed for ICE, plus an uncertain business case, are key hurdles; the previous 1.4-litre turbo reportedly does not fit.
- The current Abarth 500e uses a 42kWh battery, a 155bhp motor and supports 85kW DC charging, and the company has not announced a production plan or timeline for any combustion model.