The FIAT 500 has become a seriously popular model for several years as a coupe and convertible (the soft top cabriolet). Much of this is due to its unique look, Italian name, and playful attitude on the road that allows it to enjoy a look all its own. Owners of a FIAT 500 have long enjoyed the variety of colors and features that can be chosen for the car that shows up with a great look that allows owners to have a FIAT 500 that reflects their personality. For those owners who feel performance is just as important as any other feature, the Abarth makes its way into the lineup giving owners a car that not only looks fun but can also offer the performance of a great drive.
The FIAT 500 Abarth shows up in a class of subcompact vehicles as the one that will actually outperform the Mini Cooper in many cases. In a category that includes the Nissan Versa Note, Scion iQ and Honda Fit as well the FIAT 500 Abarth makes the most of efficiency and performance for owners to take full advantage of and continue to love. For 2015 the Abarth model adds a new six-speed automatic transmission, and a new TFT instrument panel which replaces the old unit. Bluetooth and an additional USB port are also added to the Abarth model this year.
The entire 500 lineup offers a great sporty look that offers excellent and precise steering and braking along with a suspension that makes the car handle every road defect with ease and keep the car balanced on the road. The driving of a FIAT 500 Abarth is quick witted, easy to enjoy and performance enhanced to ensure all owners are able to have a car that is highly enjoyable. Moving from the base model that offers and engine that carries only 101 horsepower to the Abarth model that has 160 horsepower, the 500 lineup steps up the performance by offering a car that can move this light car quickly on any road.
As the performance laden version of the FIAT 500, the Abarth model is powered by an engine that shows up as a 1.4-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine that offers 160 horsepower and 170 lb.-ft. of torque. This engine can be attached to either a five-speed manual transmission or a six-speed automatic transmission. The fuel efficiency offered for the Abarth model is 28 city/34 hwy mpg for the manual and 24 city/32 hwy mpg for the automatic giving the car a great deal of power, performance and fuel efficiency to enjoy.
Other models of the FIAT 500 use the same 1.4-liter inline four-cylinder engine and offer a range of horsepower from 101 to 135 and torque from 98 to 150 lb.-ft. With the same transmissions offered, they also have a range of fuel mileage numbers to take advantage of and make for a great car that comes in at a very reasonable price.
One variation of the FIAT 500 does not use the 1.4-liter engine and that is the 500e. This model is powered by a magnet electric motor that shows up with 111 horsepower and 147 lb.-ft. of torque along with giving a fuel economy of 122 city/108 hwy MPGe and a range on a full charge of 87 miles.
All FIAT 500 models offer decent space inside and give a look that is unique to the brand and model. The Abarth improves the overall look that has plenty of front seat space and a rear seat that has decent space for a couple passengers. The Abarth improvements include aggressively bolstered front seats, exclusive red stitching and a thick-rimmed, flat bottom steering wheel. This takes this already fun and quirky car to one full of enjoyable performance and aggressive styling. The Abarth makes the already attractive FIAT 500 look and feel like a well-tuned athlete preparing for competition.
As a modern version of a car from yesteryear, the FIAT 500 offers a look and feel that provides a feeling of nostalgia with its body shape and look. This modern version of the car makes for a unique and attractive ride with its sloping and shapely front end along with the bulbous cockpit that gives the car a cartoon-like overall feeling. The oval shaped headlights and dynamic performance make this car one that owners can show off proudly on any road. For those who want more space, the FIAT 500 does offer a four-door model that takes care of some of the shortcomings of the coupe. Each package for the 500 offers is own equipment, making the FIAT 500 a car that can be unique wherever it’s driven
The standard features offered for the lower models show the base for the Abarth. For the 500 and 500c Pop the features include a leather-wrapped steering wheel, 15 inch covered steel wheels, a five speed manual transmission, air conditioning, cruise control, power windows, locks and mirrors, Bluetooth connectivity and a six-speaker audio system with a USB port. The base model of the Abarth makes its way with a Bose premium audio system, 16-inch alloy wheels, a sport tuned suspension and a leather-wrapped dashboard. The standard safety features for all models offers even airbags, hill start assistance and many other safety items to make this a safe and fun car to drive.
For optional equipment, each model of the FIAT 500 offers its own version of optional features to enjoy including the availability of 17-inch wheels, two-toned leather trimmed seats and either red or white body side strips.
With a wide range of models the FIAT 500 comes in a variety of prices to choose the one that suits your personality and desires the most. For those looking for the high performing athletic Abarth model comes in the mid-$20,000 price range to gain this light performer that will give joy at every drive. The overall price range for the FIAT 500 starts around $17,000 and reaches over $32,500 giving a wide range of affordable compact cars for those shopping in this category to choose from.
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