Abarth draws a line under thermal engines and becomes a manufacturer of electric cars
After ending the production of its sports models based on the thermal Fiat 500, Abarth has now sold them all. In Europe, the manufacturer of sports cars derived from Fiat models has therefore become a manufacturer of exclusively electric cars.
Some enthusiasts of the scorpion brand hoped that the decision to launch a micro-hybrid version of the new Fiat 500, until now 100% electric, gives birth to new thermal Abarths. Gaetano Thorel, head of Fiat and Abarth in Europe, however, extinguished this hope during an interview with Coach : “We must remain faithful to the DNA of Abarth, and the engine that equips the new 500 is a micro-hybrid engine which does not extract the power necessary to make a real Abarth, which would therefore not be possible .”
Abarths will still be based on Fiat models
If Abarth still offers thermal models in Latin America, its European range will no longer include them. The brand is in fact dependent on Fiat's technological choices, since Abarth does not plan to launch models from scratch, unlike Cupra or Alpine. Gaetano Thorel explains this decision by the choices of the founder of the brand: “Carlo Abarth has never created a car from scratch. Abarth's DNA is to take a conventional car and push its performance through the engine, handling and sound, in order to make it sporty and accessible. We We want to stay true to this DNA, which is why we will not launch an Abarth made from scratch to date.” On the other hand, Abarth is not prohibiting SUVs, having already authorized a sporty version of the Fiat 600 crossover. “Personally, I don’t see a limit to Abarth cars being A or B segment hatchbacks. If SUV is possible, then why not?”explains Gaetano Thorel.
Furthermore, the taxation applied to thermal sports cars in several European countries limits their commercial performance. “If you make an internal combustion sports car that emits 180g/km and you are in Italy, you have to pay between €1000 and €2000 in annual road tax.” In France, in 2024, such a model should fulfill a penalty of €22,380, within the limit of 50% of its purchase price. “Is it right when I can offer customers an electric sports car that handles the same, that offers the same level of fun and equivalent performance? All at the same price? I think it's better to offer electric cars”estimates Gaetano Thorel. However, it is not certain that all of the brand's customers share this vision of driving pleasure.
