--- title: "Is the Electric Fiat Abarth 500e Fake ‘60s’ Exhaust Sound Really That Bad?" description: "The Fiat Abarth 500e has an external sound generator that makes fake '60s exhaust sounds but does it actually sound good?" date: "2023-08-13" modified: "2023-08-13" authors: - name: "Nico DeMattia" job_title: "Contributing Writer" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/nico-demattia" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/is-the-electric-fiat-abarth-500e-fake-60s-exhaust-sound-really-that-bad" categories: - "Fiat News" - "News" - "News by Brand" tags: - "500e" - "Electric Vehicle" - "fiat" --- # Is the Electric Fiat Abarth 500e Fake ‘60s’ Exhaust Sound Really That Bad? ![]() I like the [Fiat Abarth 500e]() fake '60s exhaust sound. I said it. I'm fully aware that fake engine sounds in electric vehicles are lame and I can get kicked out of the car enthusiast club for admitting to liking one but I don't care. OK, I'll admit that it's silly and completely ridiculous and, in most cars, I'd normally agree that it's lame. However, in a car as silly and lighthearted as the [Fiat]() Abarth 500e, it actually makes sense. When Fiat first unveiled the Abarth 500e—the performance version of the normal electric 500e—the Italians stirred the enthusiast pot by claiming that an external sound generator would recreate the exhaust noise of a classic Abarth engine. So despite being entirely electric, you can "rev" it up while at a standstill and make some '60s Italian four-cylinder noises. Admittedly, that sounds dumb at first. Who is it supposed to be fooling? However, after hearing it in this clip from[ jim on Twitter](), not only does it not sound bad but it actually matches the inherent silliness of the car itself. https://twitter.com/thealso/status/1689988363757953024 The Fiat Abarth 500e is not a car you're supposed to take too seriously. It's a sporty electric hatchback the size of a shoe with adorably retro Italian styling. No one drives one because they want to look cool, they drive it because they want a bit of a laugh from their eco-friendly daily driver. And fake-revving your electric Fiat's non-engine at your fellow Italians while you're off to get your morning espresso seems fun. I don't make the rules. There could be customizable options later down the line, too. Since it's just a speaker that makes the noise, new exhaust notes could be added in the future, potentially via over-the-air updates. ![]() In more serious sports cars, this doesn't work. BMW's Hans Zimmer-tuned spaceship noises are fun for a few minutes but the novelty wears off quickly. Maserati's trick combination of [old-school V8 soundtrack and electric motor whine ]()is technically interesting in theory but doesn't work all that well in practice. And Dodge's extra-loud [fake muscle car sound]() is eye-roll-inducing. Almost all such systems are lame. But because the Fiat Abarth 500e is such an inherently fun, lighthearted car to begin with, it actually kind of works. *Got tips? Send 'em to tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Nico is a writer and reviewer from New Jersey who probably thinks he’s a lot funnier than he actually is. His love of cars began when he was just a kid playing Gran Turismo 3, grinding out enough race wins with a Mazda Miata to save up for an in-game RUF 911. That passion for small, lightweight sports cars drove his desire to learn more about the industry, get his hands on as many cars as he could, and bring those experiences to life on the page. He cut his teeth writing about BMWs, Volkswagens, and Audis, mostly, and has owned far too many of each. He’s on his fourth 3 Series sedan, but all of his old, cheap German cars have forced him to learn more about car maintenance than his mechanical capability can handle. Too many late nights have been spent scrambling to get a car running by morning so he could get to work. For some reason, he never seems to learn that old Bimmers probably aren’t the best daily drivers. But he loves more than just old German cars. He’ll gladly drive and discuss anything with four (or even three) wheels. Cars aren’t his only passions, though. Nico is also a big nerd and loves movies, video games, comic books, and cares far too much about the New York Giants. So don’t be surprised if you see football references or dumb, obscure movie quotes in any of his car reviews. ### Author social links [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()