Stellantis has announced a new partnership between its motorsport division and its fabled Italian performance brand Abarth. 

The carmaker says the tie-up aims to 'set a new standard in the electric automotive world' and will give birth to the 'most powerful Abarth ever'.

Scant details have been released aside from a 240hp (237bhp) power output for the new model, and pictures of a disguised 600e. It confirms rumours that Abarth was planning on expanding its model range over and above the petrol-engined 596 and 695 models and the recently launched pure-electric 500e.

The Abarth 600e will use a new platform called Performance-eCMP – a high performance version of the existing eCMP platform, as used on the 600e and a number of Stellantis group models such as the Jeep Avenger. Abarth says its engineers have fine-tuned the suspension and fitted the car with a limited slip different and upgraded brakes to give improved dynamics and better stopping power. 

Pictures give little away to the finished car's look, but it is possible to see larger front air intakes, tinted rear lights and a rear spoiler. Abarth also confirmed the interior will receive specifically designed supportive seats.

A reveal and launch date for the hot 600e have not been revealed, but expect a starting price of over £40,000 when it debuts later this year.

Camouflage won't be on the production Abarth 600e, but the spoiler will