The Town Crier - Fiat 500 Abarth

With growing anticipation for Fiat to return to the Philippines, we once again test its most dynamic product sold in the United States thus far, the overachieving 500 Abarth. We have driven every 500 variant sold in the North American market so far and was hoping that the 2013 model would have more improvements from the last unit we tested last year. Well, except for the color, very marginal fitment changes, audio supplier switch from Bose to Alpine, and minor NVH improvements, the 500 Abarth is unchanged for the model year. Which is a pity since the novelty of the 500 Abarth is quickly running out faster than it can sprint to 200 kph.

Italy’s national mechanical treasure, the iconic Fiat 500 (Cinquecento) is absolutely full of character and personality, no question there. On paper, the mad exhaust note, the interior design and textures, and its screaming physical design are all impressive as well. Ultimately it’s the actual drive, the delivery of the promise, where the 500 Abarth will fail you. Fiat is surely experimenting with the 500 range in North America before the triumphant return of Alfa Romeo next year, and they have been quite successful. The market seems to have embraced the little car with much amore, but for the car for the enthusiast, the 500 Abarth is honestly a disappointment.

The 500 Abarth has all the essential ingredients of a supermini but is still severely lacking. The suspension is way too hard so you would presume that the handling would be razor-like and agile; it isn’t. It can be agile enough if you force the car deliberately but that is just foolish. A car this small should be very light on its tires and eager to change direction, and once committed to that direction, stick to it like a gecko! This 500 Abarth hops around nervously scrambling for adhesion, and once it settles down enough, the next road imperfection sends the chassis back into its squirrel-like state but without the purpose backed up by an inappropriately obnoxious exhaust drone. The exhaust sound, which was initially thrilling from ignition, got tiresome fairly swiftly because the bite didn’t match the bark. At wide open throttle, it sounds like you are about to break the sound barrier, instead in reality you have just gathered enough speed to slowly pass a languid Buick Regal who isn’t even aware of your existence until you’re close enough to mimic a slammed Japanese sport custom ride. It’s embarrassing.

The power does exist, which is frustrating, 160 bhp and 170 lbs.-ft of toque spread from 2500 to 4000 rpm are very healthy numbers in a minuscule car but the 500 Abarth drives like it is using a restrictor. Fiat is blessed that the US market loves trends and effective marketing. The available fun colors and high levels of individualization also make the 500 model range very attractive for folks with short daily commutes and enjoy the effortless city parking abilities combined with all the romanticism of owning an adorable Italian icon. Fiat is very fortunate that other European models are not sold in the market; a Volkswagen Polo GTi or Peugeot 208 GTi would kick the crap out of the 500 Abarth while being more spacious, more comfortable, and more versatile. So the only local peer competition it has is the Mini which it only bests with intangibles and emotions. I am extra bitter about the Fiat 500 Abarth because of the wasted potential, and because it is very desirable despite its performance shortcomings.

Originally posted in C! Magazine   

July 2013 Edition

Author:  Kevin Limjoco