2013 Audi A3

First Fiat 500s Will Be Sporty Abarth Version

 
5 5,462 views Oct 28, 2009
Follow Viknesh

Fiat 500 Abarth

HI-RES GALLERY: Fiat 500 Abarth

Many in the U.S. have been hoping to receive the wildly popular Fiat 500 minicar for the past couple of years but a lack of interest in small cars has largely held it back. Now, with Fiat's alliance with Chrysler in place the Italian auto giant has a gateway to the lucrative U.S. market and the first model to arrive under the new alliance will be the 500, and according to latest reports it won’t be the ordinary model that’s coming first but rather, the high performance Abarth.

The 500 is scheduled to hit showrooms in 2011 and it’s set to be the only Fiat-badged model coming here. According to Ward's Auto, Chrysler dealers have been advised that the first batch of 500s will be the Abarth.

To differentiate the Abarth 500 from the standard version, the new car comes with a sporty bodykit with larger air intakes, side skirts, a rear diffuser, pumped fenders, Abarth decals and new alloys plus the famed scorpion logo on the grille. Up back is an integrated rear diffuser and dual exhaust tips finished in chrome. The interior continues the sporty theme with new bucket seats, alloy pedals, leather trim and 16 inch wheels.

Power comes from Fiat’s turbocharged T-Jet petrol engine, developing a peak 135 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 132 pound-feet of torque at 2,500 rpm. Drive is sent to the front wheels and 0-60 mph times should fall in the low 7 second range. Mileage rates in around 25-33 mpg.

Fiat forecasts first-year sales of 20,000-25,000 Abarth 500s in the U.S., with pricing coming in around the $18,000-$19,000 mark.

[Ward's Auto]





Tags:
Posted in:
 
Contribute
Send us a tip Comment Contact the editor
Follow Us

 

Have an opinion?Join the conversation!

  • Posting indicates you have read this site's Privacy Policy and Terms of Use
  • Notify me when there are more comments
Comments (5)

  1. By  My Wheels On Walls Posted: 10/28/2009 9:41am PDT

    Sold!!! Where do I go to place my order?
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

  2. By  George Posted: 10/28/2009 10:55am PDT

    I just bought the second one! I only hope that Fiat will sell other models in the USA with the "FIAT" name on it, not just the 500. I think that they are just going to sell the 500 first to get the yanks used to the idea of how good FIAT is first and then maybe later sell other cars in the US with the FIAT name. The Americans and Canadians are really unaware of Fiat's current situation and only remember the undeserved reputation that they had when they were last sold here in the 1980's. Just ask somebody if they know who has the most advanced production technology for cars and I bet that the last company they would think of would be Fiat but Comau, which is a Fiat subsiduary, is the world leader in automotive production technology. With the right marketing Fiat should do well in the USA if the playing field is on the level.
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

  3. By JC Posted: 10/28/2009 12:12pm PDT

    I would think, a Chrysler dealer, right. Unless your question is rhetoric?
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

  4. By Ettore Bombino Posted: 10/30/2009 9:59am PDT

    I am an Abarth collector. I own a 1965 Berlina Corsa rated @100 hp. I also own a 1964 double bubble. I am waiting for the limited edition Abarth 696 tributo Ferrari if it makes it to the US otherwise 500 Abarth is in my future.My Abarth's have been bullet proof!
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

  5. By  Nintendo DS Games Posted: 11/12/2009 2:49am PST

    Autostart systems like this one, and ones used on hybrids, have a much more powerful and higher torque starter motor that can be permanently engaged and run at full speed, there is no solenoid, and the motor can rev the engine up to running speed before applying the fuel and spark. That makes for incredibly reliable starting.
    Old style starters are geared way down and must disengage the solenoid after starting to prevent damage from overspeeding, and can barely spin the engine fast enough to start. Not reliable, and headed for obsolescence.
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

 

Have an opinion?Join the conversation!

Connect with Facebook

Motor Authority. Now with your friends.

Discover stories your friends read.
Share stories more easily.
You control what you share.
Learn more

Research New Cars

Go!


More from High Gear Media

 
 
MotorAuthority
  • Follow Us
  • Twiiter
  • Facebook
 
 
© 2011 MotorAuthority. All Rights Reserved. MotorAuthority is published by High Gear Media. Stock photography by Homestar, LLC. Send us feedback.