Abarth Wants to Turn the Painfully Slow Fiat 500 Hybrid Into a Proper Hot Hatch

Key Points
Abarth wants to make a faster version of the Fiat 500 Hybrid
The Fiat 500 Hybrid does 0-60 mph in 16.2 seconds to 60 mph.
Abarth admits it won't be easy making it faster, but Abarth boss says "we are trying"

2026 Fiat 500 Hybrid: A Recap
As you might recall, Fiat revealed full specs of its chic new Fiat 500 Hybrid a few months ago. The little hatchback oozes with charm and personality, which is what anyone expects from any European microcar. It’s just started production in Turin, and there’s a lot to like about it.

Aside from the design, the 500 Hybrid promises great fuel economy. European test cycles claim about 46 mpg, so we’re expecting something in the high-30s if we follow EPA testing. It also has a manual transmission option, and it’s not lacking in the features department, either.

If Fiat wants to sell it to the US, there is one huge problem.

Slow By Any Standard
Acceleration times, like speed, are relative. What can be considered slow in some markets would be reasonably brisk elsewhere. For instance, 7 seconds to 60 mph is still considered fast outside America, but slow here. The thing is, even those who still think 9 seconds is brisk enough will be welding their foot to the floor with the 500 Hybrid.

The official manufacturer-estimated time of the little hybrid is a shocking 16.2 seconds to 62 mph, making it so slow that it probably couldn’t catch a cold. Oh, and that’s with a manual transmission, by the way.

But let’s not be too mean about it. After all, it only has a 1.0-liter engine to work with here. It musters just 64 horsepower and 68 lb-ft of torque. At least it’s light at just under 2,500 lbs, so you can maximize all the momentum you gained and fling it around some corners. Towing is not recommended, in case that needed to be emphasized.

Abarth to the Rescue
Abarth has made some zingy hot hatchbacks over the years, although business hasn’t been great since the 500 went electric-only. As reported by Autocar, Gaetano Thorel, the head of Fiat/Abarth in Europe, said “the Abarth club are not very happy with us,” since the switch on the basis that the owners can’t really modify them.

Thankfully, there’s a glimmer of hope with the introduction of the hybrid version, so it gives them something to tinker with again. Abarth reckons they can make the 500 Hybrid less slow (not that the bar was set high), but it will be a bit of an uphill challenge.

Thorel noted that adding power is indeed possible, but starting with a naturally aspirated 1.0-liter “cannot do it,” said the executive. Making the engine larger is a sound idea, but the 500’s packaging makes that task difficult. Developing a new engine will also pose a challenge, as that would mean Abarth will make a niche model out of a niche model. A cool idea, but not really financially viable.

Thorel noted that adding power is indeed possible, but starting with a naturally aspirated 1.0-liter “cannot do it,” said the executive. Making the engine larger is a sound idea, but the 500’s packaging makes that task difficult. Developing a new engine will also pose a challenge, as that would mean Abarth will make a niche model out of a niche model. A cool idea, but not really financially viable.