The journey began in Vienna in light rain. The battery at that point showed 80 percent. As I had never driven an electric car before, I was curious if I could manage the approximately 200-kilometer distance between Vienna and Spielberg without charging.
To avoid a charging stop, I slightly reduced my speed halfway through the journey. However, due to the many construction sites along the route, I was only able to drive at 80 km/h for parts of it anyway. Upon arriving in Spielberg, four percent of the battery remained – so with a full battery, it would have been perfectly fine.
Fast Charging Instead of Long Waits
Fortunately, finding a charging station proved easier than planning the range on the outbound journey.
The charging network around Spielberg is very well developed. There are countless options, including fast-charging stations. For me, that meant: plugging in the car, getting out my laptop and documents, and using the time to prepare for interviews.
After about 35 to 40 minutes, the battery was back to 80 percent. This secured the next chapter of the motorsport weekend.
280 HP You Can Feel
The Abarth 600e Competizione is not just an electric car with a sporty look. With 280 hp, it is the brand's most powerful production model. It completes the sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.9 seconds, and its top speed is electronically limited to 200 km/h.
And you can feel the power. Especially during acceleration, it quickly becomes clear that the small Abarth doesn't bear the name "Competizione" by chance. When you floor the pedal, it pushes you firmly into the seat. Especially when overtaking or merging onto the highway, the power is delivered immediately and without delay.
Despite its sporty aspirations, the 600e Competizione is by no means uncomfortable. The racing seats with high-quality Alcantara® high-tech textile proved comfortable even on longer journeys, and the overall driving comfort was impressive. Especially on the daily routes between Leoben and Spielberg, the car was therefore an uncomplicated companion.
To the Charging Station Every Evening
Throughout the weekend, the Abarth was charged every evening. This made the daily commute between Leoben and Spielberg easy to manage. And the return journey to Vienna ultimately posed no problem either. While my initial skepticism about range hadn't completely dissipated, I had learned to plan accordingly with the car and its battery. For me, that is the most important takeaway from this trip.
The Abarth for Everyday Use
The Abarth 600e Competizione is most enjoyable when driven where its strengths truly shine: in the city, on short distances, and on excursions where one can savor the immediate power of the electric drive.
For longer road trips, however, more planning is required. The journey to Spielberg showed me: The Abarth 600e Competizione can be comfortable, deliver significant power, and drive pleasantly even on longer routes. At the same time, for a longer journey, one should consider charging stops from the outset.
For my involvement around one of Austria's biggest motorsport events, this ultimately wasn't a major problem. On the contrary: while the car was charging, I was able to prepare for the next round of interviews.
And, at the latest, when you get back into the car afterward, press the pedal to the floor, and feel the immediate 280 hp, you understand what Abarth aims to achieve with the electric interpretation of its sports car DNA.
