Hot hatches are there to please by combining ample strength, sharp handling, and a relatively small footprint. But, how do you prove how much fun a vehicle can be to drive? For Abarth, the answer is to monitor residents via facial recognition and see their heart rate with sensors.
Abarth worked with Dr. Dale Esliger of Loughborough University in England to conduct the experiment. Participants circle the Mallory Park race track and ride as passengers with a professional driver behind the wheel.
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The data show that the most common feeling is happiness while driving and as a passenger. When riding a gun with a professional racer, there are short bursts of fright and shock.
“Research in this scope is limited, but I suspect this will be an area within the automotive industry that will continue to be explored, as manufacturers seek to improve their car driving experience,” said Dr. Esliger about the research.
The current Abarth range in Europe consists of an upgraded version of the Fiat 500. The latest model launch is the 695 Tributo 131 Rally with a 1.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produces 180 horsepower (134 kilowatts) and 184 pound-feet (250 Newtons). -meters) torque. It can reach 62 miles per hour (100 kilometers per hour) in 6.7 seconds.
Elsewhere, there are Brazil’s exclusive Pulse performance crossover. It features a version of the Fiat model with a more aggressive body kit and red accents.
Spy shots show that the Abarth version of the 500e is currently being developed as an electric hot hatch. In May 2022, brand boss Olivier François said that final testing was in progress.
There are still not many details available about the Abarth 500e. François confirmed there were revised suspension and brake tweaks. No official powertrain information is available yet. According to rumors, the model will accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in about 7.0 seconds.
