Scorpion bites! Abarth (Fiat) 500 – test drive
Abarth Logo
I wrote few words about Abarth 500 few posts ago. Last week I went to Abarth car dealer to take it for a test drive. And it was FUN! Fun… powered with 135 HP 1.4T engine, 0-62 mph in 8 seconds, top speed…who cares? (205 km/h – 127 mph). I know that these numbers are not impressive at all, but You have to remember that the car is only 11,5 feet long (3,5 meter). Of course they could make it more powerful, but this way they left something for tuners.
Abarth… Where’s Fiat?
You see the Fiat 500… You know it’s the Fiat… Everyone around can see this is a Fiat… but You won’t find the Fiat badge anywhere on it. That is the “Abarth way”. Fiat decided to draw a thick line between their regular cars and sporty versions, not by adding some GT, GTI, Sport or other suffix to the name, but by calling them totally separately: Abarth. And with the name comes a story of many decades of cooperation between these two brands.
You just can see it from the starts, that only Italians could make this new 500 (old Fiat 500). The car I drove looks sporty. “Regular” 500 is very good looking – has some old fashioned style in it. At the same time allows You to customize it’s colour, decals, extra accents in million configurations. And with this car style is all You will get. It’s not a family car. The brand is not luxury or exclusive. But any way Italy is flooded with small Fiats (Panda, Seicento and 500). So if You want to be seen (and heard) You have to go for Abarth.
Abarth 500
The differences are pretty obvious. Bumpers got large air intakes. There are 2 extra side “holes” to provide some fresh air for 2 symmetrical intercoolers.
Rear bumper with a diffuser and two exhaust pipes – not only looks aggressive, but plays a role in cars aerodynamics. And this tiny car is fitted with 16 inch alloys (17 inch as an option).
Interior is equipped with bucket seats. You have a leather driving wheel, gear lever and handbrake. It even has the analogue turbo boost meter with Gear Shift Indicator (that suggests the driver when is the best moment to change the gear – either for performance or economy). All this sporty exclusive feel, makes the car unique. You feel like in micro / low budget Ferrari! …and this is “just” a Fiat.
Abarth 500 interior
Well not everything is great. I’m pretty tall, and when I got in… I knew that this car is not quite for me. It’s not that I can’t fit in. But the limit was close – if I had more hair, I would be touching the roof all the time:) They could put the seat a little closer to the floor.
The ride
With the car You get the 1.4l 16v 135 HP turbocharged engine. It’s not a rocket ship, more of a “pocket rocket”, but what would You expect from such a small car. What gives the car more edge is the “Sport” button on the cockpit. This little round switch changes the engine reaction for throttle, boosts the maximum torque to 206 Nm (from 180 in regular mode) and sharpens the powersteering.
Turbo lag is not present in the engine, although turbo kicks in pretty late (3000 rpm in Sport mode). With Sport mode off, You get a smoother ride (less torque, but present from 2500 rpm). Regardles of driving mode – engine doesn’t let me down in any way. It’s suited perfectly to the car…
Abarth 500
After a short drive around the city, I got used to GSI (Gear Shift Indicator) blinking all the time. It helps, especially if You want to listen to the music loud and don’t miss the gear change 
No matter if You want to race or drive “Eco” the blink helps You in both cases. When turning ESP doesn’t kick in to soon, but probably when pushed more to the edge, it would steal some fun. Unfortunately they don’t allow You to turn it off.
The car has also some fancy TTC (Torque Transfer Control) system, that substitutes limited slip differential. It works ok… I guess. Didn’t actually have a chance to try it to good, but the reviews were positive. The suspension is stiff, there is hardly any body roll. Little under steer is present, but it’s not suprising in such short, FWD car.
The puppy getting angry
Abarth 500
Although the logo is pretty aggressive and suits the Abarth image… This car is like a puppy, that is fighting with a shoe twice as big as it’s head. It’s so angry and serious about the job, it’s never tired with the fight… but You just can’t stop smiling when You see it. I know I shouldn’t use this word describing a car, but it’s just “so sweeeeet”!
If this standard version of “the puppy” will be too boring for You, You can buy an extra tuning package (so it will be able to pull an even bigger shoe!). Just drive the car to the dealer and for about 2k Euro (3k USD) You can get a “Essesse Tuning Package” installed (if some simple requirements are met (like low mileage)).
Tuning package means that You will get engine chipped to 160 HP. Also includes Brembo brakes and suspension, performance air filter, 17 inch alloys and some other details (like few Essesse badges and tire pressure sensors). I actually don’t know how my spine would handle a harder susspension than the regular version has, but performance comes with a price And talking about…
The price
Abarth 500 is sold for about 14 k Euro (20k USD). Sure… It’s not cheap for a car of this class, but it’s not expensive for the fun it gives. If You can’t afford to buy two city cars for everyday and track/weekend use – this is a choice for You. “Sport button” does the job!
Why should You buy this car?
If You need a city car with the XFactor as a standard equipment Abarth 500 is a good choice. You get a nice car, that can compete with it’s “sweetness” with Mini. The handling is great, “Sport button”, Turbo boost and GSI indicator makes You feel like in a real sports car. Great choice for a kid or a girl, that enjoy driving (well, all the kids do).
Why shouldn’t You buy this car?
Let’s be honest. If You are a man. Especially tall one… I would rather drive something used and bigger than this puppy. It’s a car for a 18 – 20 year old to drive to college… or for a girl to go shopping with a friend. For the real world, even though it’s fun – You need more space (at least Punto Abarth size??).
Last word
I can’t imagine a better way for Fiat to fight in this market, than with Abarth badge. This is definitely the best looking, small sporty car there is. It doesn’t drive as good as bigger Mini, but the price is adequate for it’s value… And that is not so often in this niche. I wish them (Abarth and Fiat) the best on the market! If my girlfriend didn’t already have the Ford Fiesta ST… I would buy her one of these.
And for the record – ecology: the car meets the newest Euro 5 emmission standards. And does about 30-40 mpg depending on driving style.
Some video review:
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