Paris 2008: Fiat 500 Abarth esseesse
Click above for high-res gallery of the Fiat 500 Abarth esseesse
Abarth, the high-performance wing of Fiat, got to finally unveil its hotted up version of the 500 hatch at the 2008 Paris Motor Show. The 500 Abarth esseesse (that's "SS" in Italian) takes Fiat's throwback three-door and adds a road-hugging ground effects kit with a new lower front fascia, Abarth-spec 17-inch white wheels, a lowered sport suspension and, most importantly, a turbocharged 1.4L four-cylinder producing 160 hp and a peak torque rating of 170 lb-ft in "sport mode". We thought Abarth would fit the 500 esseesse with a six-speed transmission, but the specs reveal that it will be one cog short with a five-speed manual. Still, Abarth claims it will claw its way to 62 mph in 7.4 seconds and reach a top speed of 131 mph. Performance specs aside, we bet drag racing and runs to the rev limiter aren't half as much fun in the 500 esseesse as simply dashing down a twisty mountain pass.
500 Abarth 1.4 16V turbo 160 CV "esseesse"
Engine
• 4 cylinders in line, 4 valves per cylinder, 1368 cm3
• Power: 160 CV (147 KW) at 5750 g/min.
• Max. torque of 206 Nm (230 Nm sport mode) at 3000 g/min.
• IHI RHF3 fixed geometry turbocharger
Transmission
• 5-speed C510 transmission
Air filter
• Abarth-specific, powered by BMC
Steering
• Electric power steering with "sport mode"
Suspension
• Front: McPherson with anti-roll bar
• Rear: interconnected bars with torsion beam
Ride height
• Specifically lowered compared to the 500 Abarth 135CV
Brakes
• Self-ventilated, perforated front brake disc ø 284 mm x 22 mm
• Perforated rear brake disc ø 240 mm x 11 mm
• High-performance front brake pads
Wheels
• Abarth-specific Abarth "esseesse" style alloys, 7" x 17" ET 35
• 205/40 ZR17 P ZERO BLACK tires
Performance
• Maximum speed 211 Km/h.
• Acceleration 0/100 m 7.4 sec.
Fuel consumption
• Urban: 8.5 litres per 100km
• Extra-urban: 5.4 litres per 100km
• Combined: 6.5 litres per 100km
Emissions
• 155 g per km CO2 (compared to Euro 5 CEE-F5 standard)
Special features
• Specific ""esseesse"" key cover
• Tire pressure sensors
• ""esseesse"" logo on tailgate/engine hood
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
maor 1:46PM (10/03/2008)
If Fiat ever wanted to enter the USA market, they certainly could do worse than this charming little car.
Reply
jjpg2000 1:45PM (10/03/2008)
Why did they use a 5-speed? That just seems strange, when a 6-speed is available.
Reply
Torrent 1:47PM (10/03/2008)
what is so hard about putting 'SS'? Could they not spell it?
Reply
Wojtek 3:10PM (10/03/2008)
It's a tradition of Abarth.
MONTE 1:49PM (10/03/2008)
Yup, still like it. It is odd they used the 5-speed, but I'm sure they had some reason.
Reply
Trent 1:58PM (10/03/2008)
i'm pretty sure they're now more versions of the Fiat 500 than the Mustang.
Reply
Jj 6:59PM (10/03/2008)
Considering that most of the "Special Edition" Mustangs that everyone loves to bash are actually tuner cars modified by third parties, you are probably right.
Serge K. 2:19PM (10/03/2008)
That phat steering wheel would look right in just about any car.
Reply
Adam Marcello 2:35PM (10/03/2008)
The tach would take some getting used to. This car has great stitching details on the leather.
Reply
Jinx 6:13PM (10/03/2008)
7.4 somehow sounds a little slow with 170 lb ft and not much weight
Reply
montoym 6:49PM (10/03/2008)
That's what I thought as well.
I did some calculations that I posted in the comment section of another article on this car. The power to weight ratio of this version should be somewhere between the MS3, GTI, and Cooper S. Actually much closer to the MS3. I think sub 7sec 0-60 should not be a problem, if not low 6sec range.
Then again, I was estimating the weight, it might be a lot heavier than I guessed. I just used the average weight of the normal models(around 2100lbs I think).
Would still be a fun runabout though.
Travis 9:16PM (10/03/2008)
damn, I was really hoping for a 6sp. I'm sick of buzzing on the highway in 5th at 75mph......
Reply
GOT 4:44AM (10/04/2008)
I... WANT... ONE...
Reply
Abdo 8:03AM (10/04/2008)
Mouthwatering.
Reply
noob 8:23AM (10/04/2008)
esse esse specially for latino market....
Reply
oZone 3:31PM (10/04/2008)
Is that some sort of pun at mexicans and they're liberal use of "esse"?
greek 4:56AM (10/05/2008)
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=esse
oZone 3:42PM (10/04/2008)
I'm really excited about this little car, I've seen a few stock Fiat 500 in dealers and on the streets here in the Dominican Republic and they look great. I'm hoping that Fiat will bring this Abarth-modified version down, I'll buy one for damn sure!
Reply