New FIAT 500 Abarth
 

This story begins with a decision by the Mrs. and myself that the Frontier 4x4 just wasn't making the cut with us. Great truck and all. However, not what we needed for everyday in the metro area.

So we started looking at alternatives for a daily driver in the city. We looked at the typical fuel efficient cars from Nissan such as the Versa, Juke, etc. Also looked at Fords and Mazdas. I own a Mazda 3 and considered the new 3 or even a 2. Then I came across the FIAT Abarth, pronounced "Ah-Bart". This was back in January when rumors were that it was coming to the U.S. So we went and looked at the regular 500 and although the Mrs. thought it was "cute" and all but thankfully she likes a sporty car with some balls of which the 500 has none. The 500 Abarth is not the same as the 500. Think of Abarth as the equivalent to AMG. Guys from MOPAR assisted with developing the suspension modifications and tuning of the engine for the U.S. Significant testing was undertaken to ensure it was ready for the U.S.

The Mrs. and I immediately took a liking to the Abarth and after a short time decided we wanted one. I placed an order for the first U.S. spec model in February and it was built in mid March. It finally arrived last Thursday evening to the dealership and we picked it up that night.

Break-in is just 300 miles for the turbocharged 1.4L Multi-air engine that produces 160BHP and pulls with a max of 170lbs feet of torque. This is double the horse power approximately over the 500, and a 70pct increase in torque. With a weight of approx 2500lbs its a fun little car to throw around and yet drive to and from work in. I emphasize the fun part. We could have went with a Mini Cooper or a GTI as the Mrs. actually owned one in the past. However, this new spicy Italian meatball made us smile because its has attitude. If Jeremy Clarkson likes the Euro Abarth with 135BHP on the track, then the U.S. spec should be great fun both in the city and on the track.

With the purchase price (starting at $22600.00 MSRP) you get included a free day with the Richard Petty Driving Experience. You get to use their Abarths and an instructor to flog it on the track, as the Abarth as sold is a track capable car.

I had the dealer specifically not prep it so that I could do it myself. I did that on Friday evening, then we drove over and joined our local Z group for coffee Saturday and then off to leave the car with the clear bra installer. We are only half way to the 300 mile break in but that will be over next week.

Let me just say that I believe we all purchase a car for a variety of reasons. Many do so for practicality, or because of finances, etc. However, we purchased this vehicle because of two things, a) Fun factor and b) sorta fuel efficient at 28 City / 34 Highway. C.) Fun factor.

If you haven't seen the Abarth before check out Jay Leno reviewing and driving it:

<iframe id="NBC Video Widget" width="512" height="347" src="http://www.nbc.com/assets/video/widget/widget.html?vid=1392480" frameborder="0"></iframe>

MOPAR and famed Italian manufacturer Magneti Marelli are teaming up to offer performance parts in the U.S. Recently they introduced a prototype Abarth named the "Venom" that featured many of their aftermarket CF parts to lighten it up by 200 pounds.

See the Venom here. Oh yea, Cartrinel Menghia the hot Romanian super model was there for the Abarth unveiling in Vegas too.



Is it for everyone, no. Is it fun for a lot. Absolutely.

For specs/details on the Abarth click the .pdf icon below the photos.

http://i1232.photobucket.com/albums/...h/DSCN2315.jpg
http://i1232.photobucket.com/albums/...h/DSCN2317.jpg

First mod was to replace the rear tailights with blackened trimmed tails. http://i1232.photobucket.com/albums/...h/DSCN2319.jpg

Very cool! You're bringing this to ZDayZ, right? It's got to be fun on The Dragon.

Absolutely! See just how well those Konis perform up front on the Abarth.

Awesome! Gonna be so much fun.

Sweet! I've always loved these. My wife wants an Abarth badly. I'll have to show her this thread. :tup:

Nice Jon, tell Pat congrats. Look forward to checking it out.

Looks great Jon! Those things look like an absolute blast!

awesome jon! big fan of these cars!

SCCA has outlawed the 500s due to high rollover risk during autocross-- does this ban extend to the Abarth?

The Abarth looks and sounds great Jon! I was quite surprised by how nice it sounds. :tup:

500 is in the Spec B category with Rio, Yaris, Versa, Mini, Sonic, etc. as far as I can tell but yes there was some initial issues with not meeting rollover criteria. I don't believe Abarth has been classified by SCCA just yet as it is so new. However, Abarth is lower and has a beefed up suspension out of the box which should help. The extra power might put it in a different class though. Who knows, maybe a new Spec Abarth class.

Thanks guys! Patricia likes it alot as well as I.

We went a different direction with this purchase. Instead of spending more we decided to spend less and build on it from there. There are some great tuning mods for the Abarth that can take it easily to 210BHP and beyond. I think 200 is a good target for me in the future. Right now, with all the standard performance upgrades already on it, we'll enjoy it as is for a bit.

Here is another video from March when they took a bunch of media to Las Vegas and let them drive it:

very cool Jon, can't wait to check it out at Zdayz!

Congrats John.

All this to powah to makeup for its ugliness.

I saw and sat in one at the LA Auto Show and wasn't impressed

Not this particular model but the one J-Lo was advertising.

Was watching a video on this earlier this week, heard the exhaust note and was just shocked...I could not believe that this little car could sound that way.

That's exactly how I felt when I heard it in person.

You must be talking about the Gucci model. Thats a way overpriced 500 with the same lack of power. It does not motivate me at all. The Abarth on the other hand is a fun car with some power and 170lbs ft. of torque available at 2600RPM up to 4000RPM to boot and mod friendly without breaking the bank.

AWESOME! Congrats dude, great buy!

Yep, Thats the one.

Congrats on the Car Nonetheless :tiphat:

Our local Fiat dealer brought a regular 500 last summer for us to race. I didn't get to drive it, though. It didn't look particularly sketchy, so I was surprised SCCA made the ruling.

I'm hoping the Abarth isn't banned as I think it's a neat car & I would like to get some seat time in one. An Abarth-specific class would be awesome.

Bella! Abarth has a great history with Fiat and Lancia. Congrats! :thumbup:

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk 2

congrats jon, very nice car.... enjoy

If you and the Mrs. happy, that is all it matters Jon. Congrats. :tup:

I'm sure Pat will drive it to FFX for cars and coffee next Saturday.

And if she is happy then I'm happy. Thanks Jose!

wow, cool. ive been eyeing these for a while now. :yum: none yet available in my area... only pre-orders. ive seen only one abarth so far in real life, a couple of the 500 sport/pop. :)

These things will be pretty popular from what I'm seeing. However, the Abarth will be in limited numbers compared to the 500s. Sales on the 500 have jumped exponentially starting in January when they started airing the "Seduction" video with Cartinel Menghia. With all the mods they'll soon be pumping out for the Abarth allowing tuners to boost the output and handling, this should be a fun new A segment hatch.

Nicely done!! Congrats!!

Recently sold mine here in Germany. Miss it already. Was euro-spec with a nice ECU upgrade from G-tech(G-Tech: Products) - the best tuner in Europe for this amazing road rocket!!! I had the 'S' ECU instead of the SS kit from the factory. I sourced the SS brakes separately. I didnt want the red SS springs. Car was low enough with a firm ride already!

Pic of my car last fall. Was chosen to be the November picture in the Abarth-forum.de calendar!! :) Very nice group of people in the club.

I wish you all the best.....Dave in Stuttgart

nice pic!^

I do like the abarth. It's like my daily, but faster and more "euro". Maybe one day I'll park one in my garage

Not bad at all:
Price (MSRP) - Fiat500Abarth.US

This is the pic that actually made it to the Abarth calendar

I actually really like this car.

Dave, I had seen your original post on the forums a while back. In Europe they've been having a lot of fun and the support for aftermarket tuning and accessories is phenomenal. Looks like we will be getting some good MOPAR/Magneti Marelli parts soon along with others such as TMC in Northern Ireland and I'm sure G-Tech will get in the mix too. I like the White Abarth as much as the black ones! I'll be in the Munich area this fall right before Oktoberfest so who knows, maybe we'll pick up some Abarth stuff!

This is a kit that TMC in Northern Ireland has out for the U.S. Abarth that is a little pricey but when you consider what you are getting its actually very cost effective for the return on investment. It takes the 160HP Abarth up to 210HP! Also adds Biltein shocks and a few other goodies. TMC didn't wait long to jump into the mix. They also have a tuning box that can be purchased and installed in about 10 mins that boosts the U.S. Abarth to I believe 189HP.

Scroll to the very bottom on the right for the info:
Abarth Engine | TMC Motorsport | Abarth Styling

They also make tuning boxes that are pretty much plug and play for a variety of cars including the Abarth in Europe.

Please let me know when you are in Germany. Im not that far from Munich at all. The Abarth Club there is great one of the best around. If I could find you an Abarth to rent I would!
The tuning aspects of this car are amazing. G-tech is not far from Munich as they are in Stetten. Plan a visit!!

Thanks for that intel! I'll have to plan to visit Stetten if possible.

I picked up the Abarth yesterday from the installer of the Ventureshield Paint Protection Film. The installer was Dave at Pro Shield in Sterling, VA. They do all kinds of sports cars and what not so after seeing some photos and talking to some folks who had their cars done I decided to have him install it on my new Abarth. I had him wrap the entire front of the Abarth (full hood, full front fascia, full front fenders). I also had the A Pillars covered up to the top of the door, the mirror caps, door edges, and the rear fender flares. Cost to me was 1K. Yes not cheap. However, its an investment for me. The finished product in my opinion was well worth the cost.

Ventureshield has a five year warranty. Dave provides a lifetime warranty so long as you have the receipt. Not bad!

Can you get it cheaper? Certainly you can, just make sure you know the work of the person doing it and trust them with the job. I'm very happy with the results and now that I just went over 300 miles I can drive it this weekend like it should be and not be worried of chipping the paint. I'll get a video of the exhaust from outside the Abarth this weekend. Here are some photos:

Full hood. (the edges were wrapped all the way around)
http://i1232.photobucket.com/albums/...h/DSCN2345.jpg

Close up of fascia and hood.
http://i1232.photobucket.com/albums/...h/DSCN2346.jpg

Full front fenders both sides.
http://i1232.photobucket.com/albums/...h/DSCN2348.jpg
http://i1232.photobucket.com/albums/...h/DSCN2344.jpg

Half of the A Pillars, strip in front of the sunroof, and the mirror caps.
http://i1232.photobucket.com/albums/...h/DSCN2350.jpg
http://i1232.photobucket.com/albums/...h/DSCN2351.jpg

A small section was applied on the rear fender flares. If you look real close you'll see the faint edge line of the Ventureshield.
http://i1232.photobucket.com/albums/...h/DSCN2343.jpg
http://i1232.photobucket.com/albums/...h/DSCN2341.jpg