Fiat Car Blog

A small car like the 2012 500 Abarth by Fiat which gives out 160 horsepower does not necessarily mean a cheap tag price even if you have the European equivalent of Chevrolet as its carmaker. The lowest sticker on this car shows $22,000 exclusive of charges for handling and destination.

The new 500 Abarth is about $6,500 more expensive than the 101 hp Fiat 500 but it also raises brows cause it nears the tag price of the 2012 Genesis Coupe of Hyundai which gives out 210 hp and has a tag price of only $22,250. It also can be comparable to the 305 horsepower Mustang V6 by Ford fo $22,310.

The Fiat representatives of course will say everything to pacify the negativity surrounding the tag price, and they do this by pointing to the Italian heritage of the 500 Abarth. It should be clear though that while Fiat hails from Italy like the Ferrari, they are pears and apples that you can easily distinguish.

The 500 Abarth though has enough attitude to help pump some adrenaline into your system without causing a six-figure deduction from your bank account for an Italian ride.

Fiat though maybe looking into snatching some buyers of small GTIs as the price of the Mini Cooper S that produces 181 hp is pegged at $23,800.

The most potent Abarth 500 that will roll out in the will have a 1.4L turbocharged powerplant that gives out 160 hp while revving at 5,500 rpm. Peak torque is 170 lb-ft achieved from 2,500 thru 4,000 rpm. The power of the engine is transferred to the wheels via a manual gearbox with 5 speeds equipped with TTC or Torque Transfer Control system.

Looking good with the scorpion badges and racing stripes Italian car manufacturer Fiat is fielding the Fiat 500 Abarth as its first car to roll off the shore of the United States. The tiny car has a very popular following in Europe and Americans fond of the ride will get a chance to drive their very own Fiat.

The partnership of Chrysler with Fiat almost guarantees an influx of European car hitting the U.S. streets in the next few years. There will be sports cars from the garage of Alfa Romeo as well.

The Fiat 500 was specifically designed to provide consumers with an easy to drive, economical, fun, small car. The Abarth variant refers to the beefed up 1.4L 4-cylinder engine that can output about 135hp. The fuel mileage of the vehicle is pegged at 36.2 mpg based on European standards.

The first 500’s were produced as early as 1957. The carmaker made the original design as the inspiration for the new release giving it the retro look. Abarth is the tuning division of Fiat which takes care of enhancing the looks and performance of the cars.

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Alain Raymond, an auto journalist for a newspaper in Quebec, shares his love story with the 1964 Fiat Abarth 1000 TC. The love story began when he was still in a university in Lebanon. He dreamed of getting his hands on one but had to be contented with its cousin, the Fiat 600.

Year’s later the promise was fulfilled when Raymond was able to purchase his Italian love Fiat Abarth 1000 TC formerly driven by race driver Umberto Tuscano.

Raymond cannot get any Italian than the car that he was able to get hold off.

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While American continue to wait for the Fiat 500 to be available in the United States, Europeans will get another taste at an Abarth-tuned 500. The latest Fiat model is called the DA 0 A 100, created in celebration of Abarth founder Karl Abarth’s 100 birthday.

The new Fiat 500 DA 0 A 100 is built with a turbocharged 1.4L engine, which produces 160 horsepower (25% more compared with the regular 500 Abarth) and 170 lb-ft of torque, giving the DA 0 A 100 0-60 in 7.3 seconds. Maximum speed is raised from 127 mph to 131 mph.

Compared to the standard Fiat 500, the new DA 0 A 100 boasts of remarkable improvements in its overall performance. It is equipped with high performance front brake pads, perforated disc brakes, unique low springs, BMC special air filters, and 17” alloy wheels with Pirelli Pzero Nero 205/40 R16 ZR 17 tires. Some features of the DA 0 A 100 model is a representation of Karl Abarth’s passion for motorcycle racing.

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