Stand down Mini Cooper chauvinists, your Fiat 500 bashing days are numbered….
Make fun of the J Lo ad spots if you want, even though there’s no arguing that the Mini has been a total chick car as well from the get-go. However, as of now the Fiat’s "manhood" can no longer be questioned. Not after the "small-but-wicked" Fiat 500 Abarth is announced at the Los Angeles Auto Show.
So read it and weep:
"According to the official spec sheet, the (Abarth’s) turbocharged 1.4-liter I-4 del
ivers 160 hp at 5500 rpm, while peak torque – a stout 170 lb-ft – is attained between 2500 and 4000 rpm," Automobile magazine previews. "For those keeping score, that places the Abarth smack in the middle of its competitors."
Namely the Mini Cooper S and new VW Beetle Turbo.
And with hundreds of less pounds to push around and a kickass new suspension, brakes and body cladding, the Abarth is poised to not only kick Brit butt, but make a powerful design and testosterone statement when it hits Fiat Studios sometime next year.
"The car looks identical to what’s offered overseas," Automobile continues. "A muscular front bumper fascia is dominated by a gaping lower air intake, which provides space for two fog lamps while simultaneously directing cool air to the intercoolers. 16-inch wheels are standard, although the optional 17-inch wheels, available in argent, white, or black finishes, fill the flared fenders quite nicely. Aggressive side skirts, a roof spoiler, and a tweaked rear fascia round out Abarth’s other aero modifications. Contrasting side stripes and matching mirror caps lend a historic touch, but are optional extras."
While 500 sales have been slower than expected owing to a painfully slow new dealer rollout, local Fiat sales have soared and the cars are starting to show up in increasing numbers in driveways and on the road.
The truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth about the Abarth tips at 3:35 PM Kansas City time.
Never fear, watch it HERE.
Heart Palpitations!
It still looks like a ’79 Plymouth Horizon GT with the back end sliced off.
I passed by the much-vaunted “Studio” up north on Vivion Road the other day. They had Fiats stacked on top of each other and plenty more parked almost out on the street. A transport truck was waiting at the roadside with eight or ten more. I saw a couple of ’em trying to breed with the Suzuki’s.
Sales are brisk.
Hey, you owe me a story about your, uh, Halloween costume big guy. And don’t worry, I batted for you that night with the GF.