The 2017 Fiat 500 Abarth provides plenty of comfort with even more performance.
The Fiat 500 hasn’t exactly been a smashing commercial success in the U.S. for Fiat Chrysler Automobiles N.V.
For one thing, it has been submerged by the wave of utility vehicles, which have become the most popular choice for buyers not only in the United States, but also in other corners of the world such as China. But FCA keeps on adding to the 500’s basic formula.
With Abarth hatchback version of the Fiat 500, FCA has given the car a distinctive and explosive personality. The Abarth designation, with its distinctive badge, has long been associated with motorsports in Europe and it clearly means this version of the 500 embodies what people talk about when they say a car is fun to drive.
The Fiat 500 has endured over the years, in part, due to its clever exterior shape that has given the vehicle an instantly recognizable profile, which is one of the objectives for designers when they first pick up a pencil and make the very first sketches of any vehicle. Even though it first appeared 10 years ago, it still looks stylish and handsome because of its strong design
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The 500’s interior also is surprisingly spacious for such a small vehicle so the driver and one passenger really don’t feel cramped.
The interior of the Fiat 500 Abarth is surprisingly roomy and provides plenty of comfort for the driver and front-seat passenger.
When a car is equipped with a manual transmission, it often seems to make the car’s interior layout unworkable. In fact, over the years, I’ve driven plenty of cars where a manual transmission – or more importantly having to use a manual transmission – with its third pedal and need to use a gear regularly, makes the car uncomfortable.
However, the Fiat 500 Abarth hatchback with bucket seats that I tested was equipped with a manual transmission and while the car certainly kept me on my toes, it never seemed uncomfortable. Instead, the nice smooth clutch and shift lever served to make the tasks fun, a point lost with a lot of manual transmissions over the years, but the interior layout never got in the way of the equipment in the 500.
Fiat Chrysler also has given the 500 the Abarth treatment, which means the car transcends the car’s small size, which can seem lost amid the larger trucks and SUVs are now so popular. The car’s power, maneuverability and zip made it a pleasure to drive in all kinds of traffic.
The steering feel on the 500 Abarth hatchack is excellent and thanks to a specially tuned performance suspension, the driving dynamics seemed very solid even when the car was caught up in the back draft of larger vehicles.
The four-wheel disc brakes were excellent and naturally enough given the car’s short-wheel base it has a great turning radius, which is helpful when you are hunting for a parking space.
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The five-speed manual transmission in the Fiat 500 Abarth hatchback is matched up with a 1.4-liter, 16-valve turbocharged four-cylinder engine that capable of producing 160 horsepower and 185 foot-pounds of torque, which can helps the take off like a rocket if there is an opening in the traffic.
The fuel economy of 28 miles per gallon in the city and 33 on the highway or 30 mpg combined isn’t exactly top drawer, but it’s still very good even though FCA’s engineers tuned the engine to put plenty of zip at the driver’s fingertips.
Despite, it’s small size, the 500 Abarth hatchback also could roar like a lion thanks to powerful heart.
The base price starts at $19,995 before the application of $995 destination charge and FCA charged extra for the satellite radio connection, two-tone paint job and GPS navigation system, which brought the total price tag to $22,975.
But the car is well-equipped with standard safety equipment such as multiple air bags, anti-lock brakes and three-mode stability control. Other features include latch-ready child seat anchor, leather wrapped steering wheel and aluminum pedal covers that enhance the interior ambience.
The Fiat 500 Abarth hatchback isn’t for everyone. For one thing, it isn’t very versatile. You actually get more room in the overhead bin above your seat in a Boeing 737 and driving in front of and behind an 18-wheeler can be intimidating on a wet morning.
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But it is fun to drive and easy to park and the Abarth, which guarantees the car has the soul of a sports car, is very, very affordable.