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What is it?

This the hottest production 500 yet - the Fiat 500 Abarth. You're unlikely to miss this fact, given its big wheels, sill extensions, rear spoiler, bold twin exhausts (they issue a pleasingly resonant rort), rear diffuser and some cheekily scaled Abarth badging.

There’s not a Fiat emblem to be seen on the Abarth 500, ramming home Fiat’s intentions for this hot sub-brand.

Its turbocharged 1.4 twin cam pushes out 133bhp and 152lb ft of torque in overboost, ...Read the full article

Roy.

 P.S: Can anyone here recall when a hot hatch had a decent steering feel? Not to mention a realy good one?

theoriginalshoe:

Richard, you say the car is good value, but I don't think you gave us a price...?

In this weeks magazine I think they are quoting about £13,500.

gary396:

In this weeks magazine I think they are quoting about £13,500

Thanks mate

 Driven it. My opinion. It is a beautifully designed car this 500 Abarth (test drove it last week-end - whole week-end WOW). It is a huge head turner and also quite a fun drive. But there are problems. The chassis is good but not confidence aspiring in fast corners (a bit scarry). The steering wheel might be cool to look at but very hard to position your hands properly mid-corner (what is wrong with being round?) and the gearknob could be a round aluminium one. Also the servo is terrible - you only assume what is happening to the front wheels. So ... it is a nice small rocket (like s small angry puppy) and the fuel consumption is very good when not in sport (got 45 mpg) and will think of getting it. It is not a radically sporty car but it does entertain.

 PS. Posted this because I think this is more useful for someone looking to buy it than some ego-rambling about looks etc.