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2012 Fiat 500 Abarth Coming To 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show

 
5 1,651 views Jul 25, 2011
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Fiat 500 Abarth

Fiat 500 Abarth

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We've long known the Fiat 500 Abarth was coming to the U.S. We've also known it would be on sale in the first quarter of 2012. What we didn't know, until today, was when it would first make its official debut in the U.S. Answer? The 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show.

According to FiatAmerica's official Twitter account, "From our friends FIAT USA - The FIAT 500 Abarth will be officially unveiled at this year's LA Auto Show. Get excited, get very excited!!" While we might not require two exclamation points and needless repetition, we're pretty stoked about the Abarth 500's arrival.

Why? Because it's expected to come packing a 135-horsepower turbocharged 1.4-liter T-Jet engine under its tiny little hood. With just 2,350 pounds or so of curb weight to drag around and some pretty sporty handling--if not steering, which feels a bit like a dumptruck operated by a voice-activated relay system--we expect the pint-sized sport hatch to be pretty darned fun.

What do you think of the Abarth 500? Would you drop your coin--presumably something north of the $15,500 price of the standard Prima Edizione model? Or would you rather hold out for a 180-horsepower Fiesta ST?





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Comments (5)

  1. ken83gti avatar ken83gti Posted: 7/25/2011 12:32pm PDT

    If it has the handling & the looks & doesn't cost over $19,000 for a base Abarth, then YES! But if it's $22,000 or higher, then NO! I'm all for a modest powered, low cost, great handling performance car. But I also feel that the sport model maybe should have the 135hp & the Abarth have 150hp or more. But then again, a 135hp cheap Abarth is also a great idea, but I doubt it'll be priced that low. If it is, then that will likely be my next car!!!
     
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  2. Nelson avatar Nelson Ireson Posted: 7/25/2011 8:44pm PDT

    I'd really like to see the Abarth SS come here, for a low-low $20k price. 180 hp and ~2300-2400 pounds is a good mix, especially with a slightly wider track and lower/stiffer springs. It would also be a great fighter for the Fiesta ST, though we're not too likely to get that car either.
     
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  3. Jsalley82@yahoo.com avatar Jsalley82@yahoo.com Posted: 7/25/2011 7:33pm PDT

    Actually, Fiat has already announced that the US version of the Abarth will have 170 HP !!!!!
    I would guess that the price will be around $24K, but who knows. Doesn't matter, I already have my deposit down, and can't wait! Some Euro tuners are getting an easy 240HP from these cars...... heh, heh.....
     
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  4. Damien Thomas avatar Damien Thomas Posted: 7/25/2011 10:38pm PDT

    I've seen these around Europe. That look really great. I'm sure they're a hoot to drive as well.
     
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  5. ajs_hemi avatar ajs_hemi Posted: 10/25/2011 3:47pm PDT

    Well with the Pop starting at $16,000 after the dest. charge I doubt the Abarth is coming in at that MSRP. They were probably looking at the "Base Price" before the Abarth Package...my guess. The will start where the Lounge Price stops and go up from there so $22,980 or something like that...just shooting in the dark like everyone else.
     
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