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2012 Fiat 500 Abarth Officially Unveiled
Posted: Tue Nov 01, 2011 11:57 am
by Sabre
Torque Report
Fiat has unveiled the version of the Fiat 500 that we've been waiting for here in the U.S. The 2012 Fiat 500 Abarth takes the standard 500 and dials up the performance to create what Fiat states is "designed for track-day enthusiasts and driving-puristswho want the ultimate high-performance small car with the pedigree of an exclusive Italian exotic."
The 2012 Fiat 500 Abarth will be officially unveiled at the Los Angeles Auto Show in a few weeks. Fiat hasn't released the official specs other than stating that it will be powered by an all‐new 1.4-liter MultiAir Turbo engine. It will also get an Abarth-tuned suspension and brake systems. In Europe the 500 Abarth puts out either 130 or 160 horsepower. Hopefully the US-spec version will get closer to that higher number.
Stay tuned...
Re: 2012 Fiat 500 Abarth Officially Unveiled
Posted: Tue Nov 01, 2011 12:36 pm
by PGT
I was a fan after seeing a few Abarths in Germany but seeing the regular 500 on the road here...it's silly.
Re: 2012 Fiat 500 Abarth Officially Unveiled
Posted: Tue Nov 01, 2011 1:33 pm
by zaxrex
Honestly, it is not worth the premium.
Personally I would get a Mini Cooper instead.
You are right it worked for me in europe, but doesn't work for me here.
Re: 2012 Fiat 500 Abarth Officially Unveiled
Posted: Tue Nov 01, 2011 2:22 pm
by drwrx
I suspect we will get the 160 hp version, but I'm with everyone else, it doesn't work at it's price point.
There are too many other cars in that price range that will out class it and under price it.
And with Fiat still being a bit of a quality question mark could you recommend one to anyone?
Re: 2012 Fiat 500 Abarth Officially Unveiled
Posted: Tue Nov 01, 2011 2:49 pm
by Sabre
I still like the looks of it.. and would love to test drives one just for fun
The Good Dr. does have a very valid point though.
Re: 2012 Fiat 500 Abarth Officially Unveiled
Posted: Tue Nov 01, 2011 3:02 pm
by PGT
This is Fiat's entré back into this market and they aren't known for quality.
The new Veloster Turbo will have a 1.5T and be 200hp. It's also a bit bigger but should be fun to drive
Re: 2012 Fiat 500 Abarth Officially Unveiled
Posted: Wed Nov 02, 2011 4:30 pm
by chicken n waffles
wouldn't touch w/ a 10 foot pole.
base model, maybe.
Re: 2012 Fiat 500 Abarth Officially Unveiled
Posted: Fri Nov 18, 2011 10:40 am
by Raven
I may honestly replace my miata with one of these. Only because I really don't fit in the miata.
Re: 2012 Fiat 500 Abarth Officially Unveiled
Posted: Sat Nov 19, 2011 12:46 am
by zaxrex
I will take your Miata and I am taller than you.
Re: 2012 Fiat 500 Abarth Officially Unveiled
Posted: Sat Nov 19, 2011 11:18 pm
by Raven
zaxrex wrote:I will take your Miata and I am taller than you.
Torso length is the kicker with the miata. I can fit, but I have to slouch and crane my neck to fit. Which would be fine if I didn't have pinched nerves in my lower back and neck from slouching and craning my neck to look at computer screens for years.
The miata does my back and neck problems no favors.
Re: 2012 Fiat 500 Abarth Officially Unveiled
Posted: Mon Nov 21, 2011 12:47 pm
by chicken n waffles
Raven wrote:zaxrex wrote:I will take your Miata and I am taller than you.
Torso length is the kicker with the miata. I can fit, but I have to slouch and crane my neck to fit. Which would be fine if I didn't have pinched nerves in my lower back and neck from slouching and craning my neck to look at computer screens for years.
The miata does my back and neck problems no favors.
why the hell did you buy it, then?
Re: 2012 Fiat 500 Abarth Officially Unveiled
Posted: Mon Nov 21, 2011 5:15 pm
by PGT
head of Fiat just got shitcanned
Re: 2012 Fiat 500 Abarth Officially Unveiled
Posted: Mon Nov 21, 2011 5:42 pm
by Raven
chicken n waffles wrote:Raven wrote:zaxrex wrote:I will take your Miata and I am taller than you.
Torso length is the kicker with the miata. I can fit, but I have to slouch and crane my neck to fit. Which would be fine if I didn't have pinched nerves in my lower back and neck from slouching and craning my neck to look at computer screens for years.
The miata does my back and neck problems no favors.
why the hell did you buy it, then?
Because it didn't seem that bad after a 20 minute test drive. Also because I'm an idiot.
Re: 2012 Fiat 500 Abarth Officially Unveiled
Posted: Mon Nov 21, 2011 11:10 pm
by Sabre
Re: 2012 Fiat 500 Abarth Officially Unveiled
Posted: Tue Nov 22, 2011 12:40 pm
by Raven
When I went for a test drive of the regular 500 the guy kept asking what color I wanted to drive.
Re: 2012 Fiat 500 Abarth Officially Unveiled
Posted: Tue Nov 22, 2011 4:18 pm
by Sabre
And your answer was "The RED, because it's fAstAr!!!!!!"
Re: 2012 Fiat 500 Abarth Officially Unveiled
Posted: Wed Nov 23, 2011 6:08 am
by Cereb Daithi
Maybe if it was mid-engined and RWD...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LGhL3pra9OQ[/video]
And wasn't driven by an unskilled doofus
Re: 2012 Fiat 500 Abarth Officially Unveiled
Posted: Wed Jan 11, 2012 3:32 pm
by Sabre
Torque Report
The model that Fiat 500 fans have been waiting for is finally here, the 2012 Fiat 500 Abarth. Fiat has announced that the high-performance version of the 500 will start at $22,000 when it arrives in showrooms this spring.
The 500 Abarth is powered by an all-new 1.4L MultiAir turbocharged engine that pumps out 160 horsepower and 170 lb-ft. of torque that is mated to a five-speed manual transmission. It also gets an Abarth designed body kit, suspension and braking system and rides on 16-inch aluminum wheels. Inside the 500 Abarth gets Abarth performance seats and a turbo-boost gauge with an integrated LED shift light and a Bose premium audio system.
"The Fiat 500 Abarth feels like a double shot of espresso straight to your veins," said Tim Kuniskis, Head of Fiat Brand for North America, Chrysler Group LLC.
500 Abarth owners also get to attend a driving experience at no additional charge at the Abarth Driving Experience lead byinstructors from the Richard Petty Driving Experience
Re: 2012 Fiat 500 Abarth Officially Unveiled
Posted: Thu Jan 12, 2012 1:33 am
by Cereb Daithi
160hp? And how much do those little things weigh? That could be a fun little bugger
Re: 2012 Fiat 500 Abarth Officially Unveiled
Posted: Thu Jan 12, 2012 2:36 am
by Mr Kleen
2,533lbs, which gives it a W/P ratio of 15.8. A GTI has a W/P ratio of 15.2.
The Abarth should be a hoot, they're all over the place over here. I tried to convince the n00b to get one but I think she ended up with a Golf.
Re: 2012 Fiat 500 Abarth Officially Unveiled
Posted: Thu Jan 12, 2012 12:44 pm
by Cereb Daithi
A smidge fatter then I thought but still not bad!
Re: 2012 Fiat 500 Abarth Officially Unveiled
Posted: Thu Jan 12, 2012 1:23 pm
by Sabre
Mr Kleen wrote:I tried to convince the n00b to get one but I think she ended up with a Golf.
Re: 2012 Fiat 500 Abarth Officially Unveiled
Posted: Thu Jan 12, 2012 3:00 pm
by Mr Kleen
The newest addition to our little Wiesbaden crew. Her company pays for the insurance for a car up to a certain point. Her other 2 coworkers both ended up with
base model Golfs. I urged her to take a look at the Fiat 500 but I was in Amsterdam the weekend she went car shopping.
Re: 2012 Fiat 500 Abarth Officially Unveiled
Posted: Thu Jan 12, 2012 3:12 pm
by zaxrex
It would be interesting to drive the LHD one to see if it is any different than the one I drove.
Re: 2012 Fiat 500 Abarth Officially Unveiled
Posted: Tue Jan 17, 2012 4:33 pm
by avriette
Raven wrote:zaxrex wrote:I will take your Miata and I am taller than you.
Torso length is the kicker with the miata. I can fit, but I have to slouch and crane my neck to fit. Which would be fine if I didn't have pinched nerves in my lower back and neck from slouching and craning my neck to look at computer screens for years.
The miata does my back and neck problems no favors.
Didn't some giant amazon woman fit into your miata?
