What is the Fiat Abarth?
After exiting the North American market in the early 1980s, Fiat returned for the 2012 model year with the diminutive but adorable Fiat 500. Available in a multitude of variations, the Abarth 500 would be the family hot rod.
The MultiAir 1.4L inline 4-cylinder engine was tuned up with a liquid-cooled turbo, a 16-valve aluminum head, and a few internal mods to deliver 160 HP and 170 lb-ft of torque. While that doesn’t sound like a lot, keep in mind that a standard Fiat 500 1.4L was good for about 100 HP, and the 500 weighs in right around 2,500 pounds. Needless to say, the 160 horses are plenty to pull the little car around with ease and enjoyment.
The factory further tuned the Abarth 500 with Koni shocks, a lowered ride height, 0.9-degrees of more front-end negative camber, and a rear sway bar. Wide Pirelli P Zero Nero tires wrapped lightweight, 17-inch wheels, the entire package harnessing the power put down on the front tires. Interestingly, though, despite all the power hitting those front tires, Abarth 500s were known for tenacious grip and little torque steer. The revised Abarth 500 chassis proved 40-percent stiffer than the non-Abarth 500 and yet, offered a reasonably compliant ride and a quiet cabin, despite its raucous exhaust note.
And that’s where the Abarth 500 all comes together.
Yes, it handles fairly well, it’s as quick as a hiccup, and it’s got a great, racy seat-of-the-pants feel, but the exhaust note is an absolute symphony. Especially in tunnels. Open the windows and blip the throttle in a lower gear – it’s almost a religious awakening. The Fiat Abarth 500 has the ability to turn non-car people into absolute fanatics, largely thanks to that exhaust note. Which makes sense, considering Carlo Abarth’s history in exhaust systems, but that’s another story.
Is the Fiat Abarth fast?
While the Abarth 500 will sprint to 60 in less than 7-seconds, not bad, considering it’s a little 4-banger doing the work, driving an Abarth 500 is more than setting light-to-light records. It’s about being alive. Feeling the fun. Enjoying the moment. It offers all the excitement of a circus gone mad. It makes all the right noises, pulls with unexpected aplomb, offers refined but slightly quirky handling traits, and is entirely, unapologetically Italian. An Abarth 500 turns every commute into an event. So, is the Fiat Abarth 500 fast? Meh – for what it is, yes, it’s quick and likely faster than what it should be. But these cars are so much more than just quick transportation.
How much is the Fiat Abarth worth?
Whatever someone is willing to pay. Okay, a cliché answer, but correct. That said, fully loaded, they were in the upper realms of the $20,000 range when new. Prices dropped significantly, opening the door for people who wanted to enjoy speed on a bargain. Sadly, many of these cars were driven to within an inch of their lives, making it necessary to absolutely scrutinize buying one today.
But since the Fiat 500 left the market a few years back (it’s recently returned as an EV), values seem to have stabilized and, in some cases, are climbing. Of course, the Abarth leads the charge, as the hot rod of the family. It’s rarer and factory modified; it features a number of specialized appointments and details that set it apart from the rest of the crowd – and, of course, there’s that exhaust system that everybody loves.
So, how much is it really worth? Whatever someone is willing to pay. Is it fully loaded, or a convertible? Is it a fully-loaded convertible? Is it a manual transmission? Those seem to command a slight premium.
Remember, we encourage people to find the best one that they can – in other words, it’s not abused, it’s not overly modified, unless it’s done well, it’s been well kept… cars talk, if only buyers would listen. But, all this said, expect to dial in some issues. Few cars trade hands in mint, ready to enjoy conditions. That said, thanks to that sudden drop in value when they were just a few years old, many of these cars have been abused. So, if you’re willing to adopt a problem child, you can probably pick one up for a song. But if you’re seeking to enjoy the baby and not the labor pains, we suggest looking around, getting to know the Abarth 500s, and finding the best one you can. Who is selling it? Does it look like they were good owners? How long did they have it? How many miles are on it? Do they have service records? Our bottom-line advice is to find the best one you can and be willing to pay for it.
Fiat Abarth vs Mini Cooper S
In most comparisons, the Mini Cooper S comes out on top. Right off the bat, the Abarth holds a distinct advantage with its lower price. The Abarth normally sold for thousands less than the Mini Cooper S, but, the Mini Cooper S brought with it a multitude of advantages over and above the Abarth.
For one, it was slightly larger and could hold more stuff in the cargo hold. In a pinch, people would be more accepting of taking a backseat in a Mini Cooper S than an Abarth, albeit with a begrudging attitude. The Mini Cooper S weighs a bit more, and its wheelbase and width and lower roof height allow for more planted, predictable handling. While the Abarth has that magnificent sound from the specialized exhaust system, the Mini Cooper S doesn’t sing off key. And, in most tests of the day, the Mini Cooper proved to be slightly quicker than the Abarth.
But, again, in most comparisons of the day, testers all agreed that the Abarth was infinitely more fun to drive. It brought a rawness rarely seen in today’s automobiles, a kind of rough-n-ready approach to motoring that is normally reserved for small performance cars of the decades gone by, and that’s not necessarily a bad thing. The Mini Cooper S brought a higher level of civility to the table, but the Abarth reminded people that life was meant to be lived.
In Conclusion
We adore the Abarth 500 for many reasons, mostly for its ability to remind people that cars can be fun, that maybe driving should be fun. Imagine every commute being an adventure. Every arrival, an event. Were they perfect? Far from it. They had reliability issues like any other modern car, and their driving nature took a little getting used to. But once you’ve experienced the magic of the Abarth 500, other cars will largely pale in comparison. They’re great on gas, easy to drive, fun to drive, and encourage driving. If they have a serious drawback, it’s likely the size. It’s not for people touting around more than one other person – the backseat is more for decoration than anything else. There isn’t a lot of luggage room, even when the backseat is folded flat. But if you’re single, or looking for a weekend toy, the Abarth aims to please.
Photo Credits: Nik & Pascal Frei