Fiat is notorious for being very unreliable and produce cars that scream of CHEAP. Well, a lot of it can be pointed out to the not-so-successful collaboration with Chrysler. But even with all the heavy criticism, this Italian automaker did try and tickle the FUN factor among motorists. and they did surprise! Fiat 500 is a boring city car that is tiny and bright.
It is a perfect specimen of an all-show and no-go car (we are still doubtful of the all-show part though!). But then it got stung by the Scorpion. Yup, the Fiat 500 Abarth was nothing like its donor car. From the outside, there weren't any major changes apart from the cool sticker set and dope color combinations ( we just drool over the red and black combo all day long!). But what Abarth really changed was its boring driving characteristics and give it a FUN character.
Abarth 500 shows us that performance figures are not necessary to have fun. Hell, the 500 Abarth was a sore car to take corners in. But it possessed a character that would even put a wide grin on your face between traffic lights, and under the speed limit! This tiny Italian is a dramatic package; perfect to hoon about the urban playground.
The Fiat 500 Abarth was once a boring Fiat 500 that got stung by a scorpion, and now it's lit!
A Tiny Car With 160 Hp That Weighs In At Around 2,500 Pounds; A Recipe For FUN
We all know now that it is not just the performance figures that make a car go cuckoo! The power-to-weight ratio plays an important role and cars like the Porsche 911 and the upcoming Lotus Evija speaks boldly of it. Fiat 500 Abarth also utilized this formula but at a subtler rate. It is powered by a 1.4 L Turbocharged Inline-4 that pumps out 160 hp and 182 lb-ft.
It is coupled to a standard 5-Speed manual and also comes with an optional 6-Speed auto. For a car that weighs in at around 2,500 pounds, these performance figures are enough to tickle you. And the sweet icing on this cake is a gnarly exhaust note that is addictive and surprising coming from such a cute form factor.
Driving The 500 Abarth Around Is Thrilling, For All The Unexpected Reasons
Driving the Abarth 500 is a mixed affair. The car is all sorts of unstable but its precise handling coupled with its short wheelbase makes it a recipe for instant fun. The car is quite unstable in corners and not really a stern machine when it comes to the suspension setup. But there is a stupid level of connection that you get while driving one around. Oh, and make sure you switch the magical Sport Mode on.
The 500 Abarth has the most vocal Sport Mode of any car. It completely transforms with a throatier exhaust note, unrestricted turbo boost, and sharper handling characteristics. In short, it evolves inside-out. The steering ratio was lowered, gear ratios tightened, and Abarth also added a rear stabilizer bar to make things tighter around corners.
This Tiny Hatch Is Quite Bland But Intoxicating, Especially In Red And Black
The Fiat 500 has been around for quite a long time, and as always Fiat never bothered to give it a generation upgrade. It is shocking to see that the car has basically remained unchanged since its launch in 2007. It uses an evolved platform of the 2nd-Gen Ford Ka, which isn't the point here! Addressing the fang here, the Abarth treatment has managed to freshen things up for the aging design language to an extent. Abarth-treated cars flaunt the coolest factory sticker sets out there and in the right colors, they look dope.
In the case of 500 Abarth, it is the sinister red-black combination. Adding to it are cool-looking 17-inch wheels that look desirable with contrasting brake calipers. The dual exhaust tips also add a certain degree of drama to the peppy little city car. Being an Italian, the amount of drama it upholds is quite evident and surprisingly looks intoxicating despite being a 14 -year old design language. Well, indeed, Italians never go out of fashion!
A Quality-Riddled Interior; But The Driver-Centric Setup With Cool Bits Balance Things Out
Poor quality and finicky plastic bits are plentiful in the Fia 500 Abarth. But amidst all the chaos and dullness, Abarth has managed to make it a driver's car. The all-black treatment goes well with the 'Scorpion' logo which is only present on the steering wheel. It also gets some cool bits like a turbo boost sticking from the steering column and also includes a 'shift-up' indicator. The instrument cluster is minimal and well-detailed.
Fiat's clever positioning of the shift knob on the center console is quite friendly for a driver-centric layout. The distance from the steering to gear knob decreases notably, making the transition quite smooth. But apart from this, there are no 'good' bits here. The seats are fairly bolstered, the second row is useless, and nothing looks plush. Abarth adds a lot of standard equipment over the base 500 like a 5-inch touchscreen infotainment display, rear parking sensors, and aluminum cover for pedals.
Getting This Dramatic Yet Cool Italian For Under $6,000 Now, Makes It A Sweet Little Explosive Deal
Buying a new Fiat 500 Abarth is not possible now has Fiat has officially discontinued most of the 500 line-ups in the USA, as its EV counterparts are right around the corner. Don't be bummed as there are plentiful in the used market. If you are lucky, then getting your hands on a well-kept Fiat 500 Abarth for well under $10,000 is a golden deal. The FUN that this tiny explosive Italian offer is overwhelming and getting it at half its MSRP only sweetens the deal.
Sources: Topgear.com, Carthrottle.com, Youtube.com, Caranddriver.com, Cnet.com