LA 2011: Fiat 500 Abarth Revealed

We've known it was coming, but now we have all the details on the US-Spec Fiat 500 Abarth.  Following the regular 500 and the 500C quasi-convertible, the 500 Abarth packs more of everything:  power, grip, brakes, and attitude.  Here's what to expect.

We've known the US Abarth would be getting the turbocharged 1.4L MultiAir I4, but we didn't know whether it would arrive in regular (135bhp) or EsseEsse trim (160bhp.)  Thankfully Fiat realized that we love power, so the turbocharged Italian will arrive in full-strength form, packing 160bhp and 170lb-ft of torque under the hood.  The Abarth version gets goodies like forged connecting rods, piston cooling jets, and lower-compression 9.8:1 pistons, down from 10.8:1 in the normal 500.  The small turbocharger breathes through twin side-mounted intercoolers.

Power is sent through an upgraded 5-speed C-510 manual gearbox to the front wheels.  And intermediate shaft and equal-length halfshafts minimize torque steer, and the halfshafts themselves are 23% larger than the normal 500.  The CV joints are also stronger to deal with the additional torque.  A 3.35:1 final drive ratio means the Abarth is geared a lot taller than the regular 500, so it won't be screaming along on the highway - and the extra 70+lb ft of torque should help at maintaining a good cruise, two weak spots in the normal powertrain.  There is also a "Torque Transfer Control" system built into the stability control.  While the description is somewhat vague, it sounds like a brake-lock differential - when it senses one wheel spinning (or about to spin) it applies that brake, to transfer power across to the wheel that has grip.

60% more power is about what I would've asked for, but they've also seen fit to upgrade the suspension and braking systems to suit.  The front suspension is 40% stiffer and 0.6" lower with increased negative camber for better turn in, while the rear the beam axle is strengthened, the ride height is 0.6" lower, the spring rates are 20% stiffer, and there's a larger anti-roll bar.  Both ends ride on Koni FSD shock absorbers for increased control.  The steering ratio drops from 16.3 to 15.1:1, as well.

Standard rolling stock are 16x6.5" alloys with 195/45 Pirelli Cinturato P7's, while a set of 17x7" alloys with 205/40 Pirelli PZero Nero's are optional.  The brakes are larger, too: the front rotors grow from 10.1 to 11.1" vented rotors, and the calipers are larger as well.

Stylistically, the 500 Abarth is more aggressive and functional than it's normal counterparts.  The front bumper juts out further to make room for the intercoolers, with larger inlets to direct air through.  Side skirts and a top mounted rear spoiler spruce things up, and a new rear bumper has a diffuser and twin exhaust cutouts.  There are other little additions to differentiate the turbo 500, like the Abarth grille badge, markings on the rear quarter panels, and optional vinyl for the sides.

Changes on the interior all sound welcome.  Most interesting to me are the Abarth sports seats, which have larger torso and thigh bolsters, contrast stitching, and harness pass-throughs.  Hopefully they're mounted lower to the floor, and don't have those painful headrests.  A flat bottom leather-wrapped Abarth steering wheel sits in front of a revised instrument cluster with an analogue boost gauge with an LED shift light, and 160mph markings.  Abarth pedals, a leather handbrake, and black trim round out the interior upgrades.

What else is different?  Well, the "Sport" mode on regular 500's now also affects engine mapping, making boost more aggressive as well as the steering heavier when activated.  Torque is limited in first and second gear in "normal" mode, so be sure to hit the button before you set off.

One doesn't have to be a genius to realize what the 500 Abarth is aimed at in the US: the Mini Cooper S.  So how does it stack up?  Well, the Cooper S has more power (181bhp from a 1.6L) but it's a little heavier (2,668 against 2,533 for the Abarth), so the power to weight ratios are similar - 14.74lbs/bhp for the Cooper S, 15.83 for the Abarth.  The Cooper has a six-speed 'box so it will probably make better use of it's powerband, but the Abarth has a shorter wheelbase, and with the improved suspension will be a ridiculously nimble-handling car.  Perhaps the big thing will be price:  although it's likely the Abarth will start somewhere near or slightly below the Cooper S's $23,800 MSRP, it's already got most of the nice stuff standard, which costs an untold fortune to add to a Mini.  How will we be able to tell?  When I drive one.  The 500 Abarth should be arriving early 2012, so I'll get behind the wheel of one as soon as I can to report back.

Let me know what you think in the comments section below!