Fiat 500 Abarth Shows Up: Loves It!

  • Thread starter Thread starter YSSMAN
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Basically Pontiac figured that if they put larger tires on the front wheels, it will understeer less. Its 255/45-17 up front, 255/55-17 out back. As I recall, it ended up working pretty well, although, there is only so much you can do with a chassis that traces its DNA back to 1988...

Motor Trend did a test of it against a Subaru WRX and an Infiniti G35 6MT a while back, and the results were actually pretty surprising. Considering how much everything would be working against it, it actually holds its own pretty well, and shockingly keeps up moderately well with the Inifniti. Not bad for a $30,000 "sport sedan."

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So, in theory, it could help those rather nasty habits they've got on the European models. Maybe. Or they can just steal Saab's X-Drive, which they'll probably do anyway.

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And yes, I still want a FIAT 500. In white please. I don't care if its the Abarth or not...
 
YSSMAN
Basically Pontiac figured that if they put larger tires on the front wheels, it will understeer less. Its 255/45-17 up front, 255/55-17 out back.
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That's actually larger tires on the back - same section width (255mm) and a taller aspect ratio (55% instead of 45%).
 
YSSMAN
Zinga Zang!

I've always wondered why Vauxhall never took the Pontiac tip and go about doing the "tire trick" with the Astra and Vectra VXRs. It managed to work pretty well with the Grand Prix GXP, a car about the size of a 5-series, FWD, with a 303 BHP V8 hanging off the front end...
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How does it work economically? You will have to replace tires twice as often, but you will only have to replace the fronts each time, and the rears pretty infrequently. Is that going to cost more in the long run?

Personally, I still think the best way to prevent understeer in a FWD car is to get the chassis right and not have too much power under the hood.
 
A corsa is a bigger car than the 500.
 
philly cheese
With that much power, I'm wondering if they would run into the power is nothing without control issue that we see in the high power cars of GT4. Would it get much harder to drive quickly than say a Caliber SRT-4 or a Mazdaspeed3 with 280 hp going through the fronts?

And BMW already has something coming down the pipe to make the Cooper that much more special in the form of the JCW kit.
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Ya they would run into an issue I would think, I'm actually kind of wondering how BMW will pull off a 220hp Mini Cooper without having issues.
 
Lsd
 
220 sounds like a good number. It makes the car quite quick but is still manageable when you don't need all of it. The thought of doing stuff to my car has crossed my mind, but I don't think I could get myself to do anything more than repiping the turbo, chipping it and intake stuff good for nothing more than 230 horsepower.

Certainly, it would be more involving to drive, but more capable of getting you into trouble when you want some.
 
This car is going to have to compete with the new breed of hot hatches coming our way like the future Fiesta RS which will look as sweet as the stock version.... as of now its got to complete with the Corsa VXR as shown previously which looks like a melted Astra.... very disappointed in the way the new Corsa turned out..
 
Looks like some of the specs have been leaked as well.

Autoblog
The slow progress being made towards the full reveal of the Fiat 500 Abarth is nearly complete, but a few more loose lips have revealed official specs that look more than promising. The 500 Abarth will pack more hotness per cubic inch of hatch than most other three-doors in Europe thanks to a 1.4L turbo four-cylinder producing 135 bhp at 5,500 rpm and 152 pound feet of torque at 3,000 rpm in Sport mode. In Normal mode, Fiat has the 500 Abarth producing 133 pound feet of torque at 2,500 rpm. The car also gets Fiat's new Torque Transfer Control system, which sounds like a fancy solution to the torque steer that would otherwise send a car like this veering towards the telephone poles.

What's interesting is that the larger Grande Punto Abarth also uses a 1.4L turbo four-cylinder, though tuned up to produce 155 bhp. This suggests that tuners will easily be able to turn up the wick on the 500 Abarth's engine for havoc-wreaking hatchback hotness.
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Sounds like this should be pretty fast. If I was BMW, I wouldn't worry too much about the Cooper S. It looks like it might be some pretty good competition for the Polo GTi though.
 
I thought it was going to have more power, unless it handles better (which is might) I agree that BMW shouldn't be overly worried.
 
Robin.
This car is going to have to compete with the new breed of hot hatches coming our way like the future Fiesta RS which will look as sweet as the stock version.... as of now its got to complete with the Corsa VXR as shown previously which looks like a melted Astra.... very disappointed in the way the new Corsa turned out..
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You are disapointed with the new corsa? I take it you dont compare the new one to the old corsa c. If you did you would see that this new corsa is awesome in comparison.

Still the chavs choice of transport though :D

I have seen like 3 different fiat 500's now and I like them.
 
The new Fiat is rather ungainly. I personally think that the arches should have been blended less with the body, as per the original Abarth.
 
forza2.0
You are disapointed with the new corsa? I take it you dont compare the new one to the old corsa c. If you did you would see that this new corsa is awesome in comparison.

Still the chavs choice of transport though :D

I have seen like 3 different fiat 500's now and I like them.
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There's a chance that Holden will get the Corsa back as the Barina, following news that there was talk of HSV wanting smaller fast cars like more hot hatches. If HSV are happy enough to consider it, I take it to be reasonably good. That's just me though...........:sly:
 
Joey D
I thought it was going to have more power, unless it handles better (which is might) I agree that BMW shouldn't be overly worried.
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Some over at World Car Fans are talking about a possible Abarth SS, which could have anywhere between 150 and 180 horsepower. If they are targeting the S, then I assume they will do what it takes to get to the top. I'm wondering what they were going after with this car. The only other superminis in the 130 hp range are the Clio and the 206, but even with those cars it's only on of a billion engines offered. Maybe the SEAT Ibiza Cupra? Are those well selling enough to target exclusively?
 
philly cheese
Some over at World Car Fans are talking about a possible Abarth SS, which could have anywhere between 150 and 180 horsepower. If they are targeting the S, then I assume they will do what it takes to get to the top. I'm wondering what they were going after with this car. The only other superminis in the 130 hp range are the Clio and the 206, but even with those cars it's only on of a billion engines offered. Maybe the SEAT Ibiza Cupra? Are those well selling enough to target exclusively?
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The SEAT Cupra & FR selled pretty well actually considering the amount of dealers in the country and the fact that alot of people overlook SEAT or forget that they even exist when buying a new car.

The Cupra and Petrol FR are no longer on sale though as the range is being lessened for the arrivial of the next 5 door ibiza, and the 3 door ibiza "sporthatch" or "Coupe" as some insiders are calling it.

Heres a sketch

c2a54446e66325b5.jpg

fr3p.jpg
 
anyway, back on topic. How many of you manly enthusiast could REALLY see himself driving either this Abarth or the future, fire-breathing SS model?
 
It takes a real man to drive an insanely fast car that can still be called "cute."

See original Abarth 1000 TCR drivers. or Legends car drivers. Or MINI Cooper drivers.

Sorry, Joey.

By the By, Let's find one of those Abarth 1000 TCRs, shall we?

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Hey, lookit that. a big front bulge.
 
Leonidae
anyway, back on topic. How many of you manly enthusiast could REALLY see himself driving either this Abarth or the future, fire-breathing SS model?
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Considering that I'm kinda/sorta in the market for a MINI (albeit a "normal" one), I'd happily consider the FIAT if they brought it to North America.
 
I would love to imagine the the newer Fiat 500 Abarth to be like the beast in the past that had the big engine in the back with rear-wheel drive. However, this cute (still cute) Fiat 500 Abarth is a little monster. And not to be pro-American, but Fiat's version of the Dodge Omni GLHS. It's a supermini that looks to hold its own quite well in competition. I approve this little monster to the tune of 100% percent. Still imagine if it were rear-engined and RWD...
 
Having seen the standard one, no I would not want to buy it. Its just too girly. Its the ultimate chicks car. It easily overshadows the mini in that department.
 
Leonidae
anyway, back on topic. How many of you manly enthusiast could REALLY see himself driving either this Abarth or the future, fire-breathing SS model?
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*raises hand*

forza2.0
Having seen the standard one, no I would not want to buy it. Its just too girly. Its the ultimate chicks car. It easily overshadows the mini in that department.
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It's just another cult supermini. Yes, it is a great chick's car, but that's a good thing. I could probably pick up far more chicks in this thing than you could in your SEAT. And this is the manlier version of the 500, so it's all good.
 
philly cheese
I could probably pick up far more chicks in this thing than you could in your SEAT. And this is the manlier version of the 500, so it's all good.
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Well if you need a car to help you attract chicks then the best way to go about it on a budget is to buy a car that chicks dig, such as the mini, fiat 500, merc slk, audi TT etc no denying that. Only thing is everyone of your friends and all the guys at work will take the piss out of you for it :D

And if not on a budget a 911 will do the job nicely.
 
Oh, and then there's the MEE-AH-TAH. sure, all the dorks laugh at you...till you leave them behind in a cloud of ADVAN Neova dust.

I look at this one the same way.
 
I was always under the impression the ultimate chick car was the convertible Sunfire...

I like the bulbous front bumper of this, it really brings some old lines from the Abarth racers back.
 
and since it's based on Panda platform, which has 4x4 as an option, you could possibly swap the drivetrains. hmmm.. Abarth 500SS 4x4.. imagine the devastation it would cause on autocross track :trouble: :D
 
forza2.0
Well if you need a car to help you attract chicks then the best way to go about it on a budget is to buy a car that chicks dig, such as the mini, fiat 500, merc slk, audi TT etc no denying that. Only thing is everyone of your friends and all the guys at work will take the piss out of you for it :D

And if not on a budget a 911 will do the job nicely.
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The SLK has come a long way from that first generation. I would never consider a guy driving one to be worthy of being teased when everyone else at work is driving their Toyota Corollas and Ford Fusions.
 
Leonidae
anyway, back on topic. How many of you manly enthusiast could REALLY see himself driving either this Abarth or the future, fire-breathing SS model?
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I couldn't just because I can't get over the look of the car. I know looks aren't anything when it comes to performance but having to live with a 500 everyday I just don't think I would want to do it.

Jim Prower
It takes a real man to drive an insanely fast car that can still be called "cute."
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Oh I get it all the time, I just remind people that I get better fuel mileage then them and still can have a blast driving on curvy roads. I'm sure a 500 owner would be able to say the same thing. Granted the drivers of the more basic versions (myself included) will suffer more ridicule then anyone else...and I think any fan of these cars would love the performance model (I know I want a 220hp JCW Cooper S) but sometimes finances and insurance gets in the way.

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One question I have and I may have missed thing some place but does the 500 on any of the models have a 6 speed?
 
Leonidae
anyway, back on topic. How many of you manly enthusiast could REALLY see himself driving either this Abarth or the future, fire-breathing SS model?
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I wont be buying one, but once we take delivery of one ill definitely take it for a thrash and tell you what I think of it :D
 
Looking at it again, it's downright tame. But, the performance should be promising.
 
Joey D
Oh I get it all the time, I just remind people that I get better fuel mileage then them and still can have a blast driving on curvy roads. I'm sure a 500 owner would be able to say the same thing. Granted the drivers of the more basic versions (myself included) will suffer more ridicule then anyone else...and I think any fan of these cars would love the performance model (I know I want a 220hp JCW Cooper S) but sometimes finances and insurance gets in the way.
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It's an uphill battle for us small car guys. Smaller cars seem to be stereotyped as "girly" here in the states and the only measurement of your man-ness is the size of your truck.

Give me a stick shift, manual seats (I hate electrics), heavy steering and a harsh ride and I will be happy. Let's see you try to tough that out in your big pickup.
 
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