They say that good things come in small packages, or at least Randy Newman wrote a song referencing something of the sort. When it comes to cars there are a few vehicles on the teeny-weeny side that are actually fun to drive, turn heads, and have a fair amount of power. My latest adventure had me behind the wheel of the 2013 Fiat 500 Abarth.
I’ve driven the standard Fiat 500 that maxs its horsepower at 101. Fiat took the Abarth trim to a performance level creating a tuned version of the 500 subcompact that was introduced in 2012. The Abarth is equipped with a 1.4-liter engine with a liquid-cooled turbocharger that boosts the horsepower to 160 and the torque to 170 lb-ft. The 4-cylinder is mated exclusively to a 5-speed manual transmission that delivers power to a set of 17-inch low profile tires. A few of the other models offer an optional 6-speed automatic transmission.
Fiat made the excellent decision to throw in a deep throaty dual exhaust giving the impression there’s an 8-cylinder hiding under the hood. New for the 2013 model year buyers can opt for the outstanding Beats Audio sound system.
Just to cover your 499 bases, the 2013 Fiat 500 is available as a hatchback and convertible. The hatchback comes in the following trim level options: Pop ($16,900), Sport ($18,300), Lounge ($19,300), 500T Sport Turbo ($20,300), Abarth ($22,800), and Gucci ($25,250). The Convertible is named 500C and packaged as follows: Pop ($20,400), Lounge ($23,300), Abarth ($26,800), and Gucci ($29,000).
The styling of the Fiat 500 Abarth is similar to its 500 siblings with the exception of a scorpion logo, and Abarth stripes. Fiat installed a new front fascia with intercooler air scoops and the rear incorporates a dual exhaust system. Plus, for added Abarth-emphasis, Fiat color-matched the rims to the vehicle’s body.
The Fiat 500 looks small from the outside, and it is. Despite being six-inches smaller than a Mini Cooper, the 500 doesn’t feel cramped inside, and costs about $4000 less. Fiat did a great job designing the cabin to have an open and airy feel. The 500 does lack a bit in interior refinement and the seating position for drivers on the taller size may feel someone tight. Placing my son’s car seat in the back seat was a bit challenging. Once in, it secured nicely but did require the front seat moved into its most forward position to make room for his long little legs.
The Abarth interior is trimmed in classic faux wood which is to be expected at this price point. The entire dashboard is painted to match the body color. The 5-speed manual shifter is located on a pedestal at the base of the center stack. The driver’s seat conveniently houses an armrest.
Navigation is available via a Tom-Tom system that provides an, “off-the-shelf” feel and is mounted on a special pedestal setup. I’m not sure if this was done to keep costs down versus the expense of an in-dash-type system, or if it was simply a work-around for a feature that isn’t common back in its home country of Italy.
My Abarth was fitted with black and red high-performance seats that were mounted quite high. Only the driver’s seat was available with a height adjustment function. For a car of this size, rear legroom is what you would expect – tight. If the driver isn’t too tall then you can manage a short run without too many compliments from the rear peanut gallery. The rear storage area is limited to a passenger holding perhaps, a small suitcase. The rear seats can be folded forward raising the cargo capacity from 9.5 to 26.8 cubic feet.
The Abarth features a beefier suspension geometry, lowered ride height, improved brakes, a different steering ratio, a turbocharged engine, wide Pirelli tires, and as noted previously, a great sounding exhaust.
Room for improvement:
- No backup camera was available
Cool Features:
- Throaty dual exhaust
Safety on the 2013 Fiat Abarth includes seven air bags, electronic stability control, reactive head restraints, ABS with brake-force distribution, brake assist, and brake override.
In Summary – The Fiat 500 Abarth model, has been a sellout since its introduction as a 2012 model. The 500 offers safety with a 5-star crash rating, delivers sporty performance with its 1.4-liter turbocharged motor, earns good fuel economy, and turns heads with its Italian styling. It features Blue&Me hands-free technology, a Beat sound system, and a 5-speed gearbox. If you are looking at going small, then test out what the Italians already know.
Specifications
2013 Fiat 500 Abarth Hatchback
Base price: $22,000 as driven: $25,100 (including destination)
Engine: 4-Cyl, 1.4-Liter Turbocharged
Horsepower: 160 @ 5,500 RPM
Torque: 170 @ 2,500-4,000 RPM
Transmission: Five-speed manual
Drive: Front Wheel-Drive
Seating: 4-passenger
Turning circle: 30.5 feet
Cargo space: 9.5 cubic feet
Curb weight: 2363 pounds
Fuel capacity: 10.5 gallons
EPA mileage: City 28/Hwy 34
Wheel Base: 90.6 inches
Warranty: 4 years/50,000 miles powertrain limited
Also consider: Ford Fiesta, Honda Fit, Mazda Mazda2, Mini Cooper, Smart Car,
and Toyota Yaris.
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