BRIEF DRIVE:FIAT 500 ABARTH
HERE IS a car that we had been itching to try here at Motors for some time. Fiat’s 500 has charmed so many people, but when you think of it, you tend to think of it as being cute, flirty and fun. Well meet the Fiat 500’s wayward sister.
For all this 500’s sweet nature, this is the sibling with the Asbo.
The Abarth is the performance version of the Fiat 500 and Riverside Motors in Drogheda has started to import the model. By adding a huge chin spoiler, twin exhausts and a ferocious-looking body kit, the Abarth looks like a 500 on steroids, listening to techno and about to steal your wallet.
Abarth has fitted the 500 with a turbo-charged 1.4-litre petrol engine putting out 133bhp and meaning this 500 can sprint to 100km/h in 7.8 seconds and on to top speed of 205km/h. But these figures are not just what the Abarth is about.
Step inside and there are some nice Abarth details, although some of the plastics still feel a little downgrade for the price. The driver’s seat sits quite high which can be tricky if you are a taller driver and the steering wheel doesn’t adjust for reach.
Crank up the car and it growls delightfully, but even better when you press the Sport button on the dash, which sharpens the throttle and increases the torque. Most of the mechanicals of the car have been uprated – there is a roll bar at the rear, stiffer springs and dampers, Brembo disc brakes all round (ventilated at the front), the ride height has been lowered by around 15mm and there are bigger, grippier tyres on those large alloys.
Hit a back road in this car and there really aren’t many better at raising a smile. This car is seriously good fun. The small size and plentiful torque add up to it being a hoot to drive. There is tonnes of grip and it is also really well balanced.
Push it harder and it will cock a rear wheel through bends. It is mischievous and marvellous.
Factfile
Engine:four-cylinder petrol, 1,368 cc, max 135 hp at 5,500rpm, 206 Nm torque from 3,000-2,250 rpm
0–100 km/h:7.9 sec
Top speed:205km/h
L/100km:6.6
CO2:155 g/km
Motor tax:band C, €302 annual road tax
Price:€24,000 (contact Daragh at Riverside Motors, tel: 041-987 7888)