REPORT: Fiat 500 to launch in the U.S. with Abarth performance model
Fiat 500 Abarth EsseEsse – Click above for high-res image gallery
With every passing week comes another report of how Fiat and Chrysler will be sharing products. If it's not Chrysler-badged Lancias then it's Lancia-badged Chryslers or an Alfa-badged Jeep. As for the Fiat division itself, the emerging strategy appears to be to bring the 500 retro-mini over and set it up as something of a brand of its own, with sights set squarely on BMW's Mini and forgoing the rest of the Fiat line-up.
Earlier reports indicated that we'd be getting four versions of the 500 Stateside, including basic hatch, cabrio and upcoming wagon in addition to the Abarth performance model. But rather than start with the basics and work its way up, or launch the entire range simultaneously, the latest news suggests that Fiat is preparing to hit U.S. soil running by starting off with the 500 Abarth. According to WardsAuto, the Fiat 500 Abarth – complete with 133-horsepower turbocharged four, upgraded suspension and all the sporty touches that make an Abarth an Abarth – will arrive at Chrysler dealers in 2011 with an $18,000-$19,000 price tag. Fiat reportedly targets selling 20,000-25,000 units of the 500 Abarth in the first year.
By the time the 500 Abarth arrives, we'll likely be looking at an updated version with even more oomph. With the standard hatch, the open-top 500C and the upcoming Gardiniera wagon expected to follow, there's no telling if the initial model will be the only Abarth on offer, or whether Fiat will follow up with the even hotter EsseEsse version (pictured above), racing models like the Assetto Corse or R3T, an Abarth convertible or specials like the 695 Tributo Ferrari or an Opening Edition of our own.
Gallery: Fiat 500 Abarth
[Source: WardsAuto.com]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
travisty 11:03AM (10/28/2009)
Where do I go put down my deposit?
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travisty 11:03AM (10/28/2009)
Where do I go TO put down my deposit.
naggs 4:18PM (10/28/2009)
chrysler/dodge/jeep dealer
GOT 4:18AM (11/23/2009)
SWEET! Sign me up for an Esseesse!!!
Franz 11:03AM (10/28/2009)
I'll probably buy one. I've always been curious about how these cars are to live with.
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JimBob 11:13AM (10/28/2009)
No fu*king way will this undercut a mini by that much. Not happening.
Also, anyone else concerned with reliability of a turbo in a Fiat/Chrysler?
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mortonb11 11:27AM (10/28/2009)
not worried about a fiat , and truthfully the SRT 4 seems pretty reliable.
larry raines 11:24AM (10/28/2009)
The stigma of unreliable Fiats is just that. These cars are great, and reliable, and Italian.
ESPECIALLY the 500. I have a couple friends over in Europe that have them and they love them.
JimBob 11:29AM (10/28/2009)
Don't get me wrong, I'd love to own this car. It's just ... hard to get over that bright scarlet letter looming over Fiat. Having Chrysler's name associated with this isn't helping the situation either.
travisty 12:45PM (10/28/2009)
Uh, check your facts from where both the MINI and Abarth are currently sold:
MINI Cooper S: £16,580.00
Abarth 500: £13,600 (essesse kit: £2,500)
http://mini.co.uk/html/model_range/mini_cooper_s/techSpec.html
http://www.roadtestreports.co.uk/full-road-test-report/Fiat/500/Abarth_1.4_Turbo_Esseesse/
JimBob 12:57PM (10/28/2009)
While I appreciate those UK figures, this article is about the 500 arriving stateside. Thanks though ;)
travisty 1:09PM (10/28/2009)
@JimBob - so, even though it undercuts the MINI by that much in the UK, you know for certain that it's not going to undercut the MINI here? Based on..... ?
Note that in the UK the Abarth 500 (133hp) matches up similarly to the MINI Cooper (118hp), and the Abarth 500 SS (160hp) matches up similarly to the MINI Cooper S (170hp). There's no reason I've seen why that wouldn't be the case here in the US as well...
Shiftright 1:14PM (10/28/2009)
The Abarth is cheaper than the Mini in Europe, so yes way. As far as reliability, it's a non-issue. Fiat makes some of the most technologically advanced four cylinders on the planet, and turbo technology is not new in the least.
I'll be one of the first to buy one.
JimBob 1:25PM (10/28/2009)
@travesty - Oh, sorry, I don't know that for certain, but I'm very well convinced in my tiny world. (I hope I'm wrong!)
The 500 will be more of a fashion accessory here than too much else (US, big people, big wants, big cars, blah blah blah). As others have noted, it's certainly not the best value at that price, and doesn't really offer anything against other small cars other than its purrty looks. Much like the mini, I see the 500 being a relatively high demand luxury item. As such, Fiat/Chrysler can command higher prices than deemed normal by most. People who shop for such luxury items probably won't care much about a few thousand - so why not charge them more from a business point of view? Remember, most 'murricans outside of the car nuts have much different views of small, premium cars. Those who genuinely want them here are willing to pay more.
naggs 3:20PM (10/28/2009)
we are getting the all new multiaire engines which are the pimp shizzle
remember, the mini is a fwd bmw
18-19 is insane for something that much fun to drive, extremely tempting
larry raines 11:22AM (10/28/2009)
500C Abarth, I am going to put my sleeping bag in front of a dealership this evening.
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SmallCarsRock! 11:24AM (10/28/2009)
The EsseEsse is a dealer installed set of components, so it shouldn't be too difficult to offer the upgrade.
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Herman027 11:31AM (10/28/2009)
Do you thing this is for Canada as well????
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evilspoons 5:05PM (10/28/2009)
I'm curious too. This looks like a hell of a lot of fun, I almost bought a Mini except for the price.
I wonder how they'll deal with -30 degrees C though. I hear Italy is a bit warmer :)
opjopjpjpjpjp 11:33AM (10/28/2009)
I find it amazing how many people are willing to pay $18-19,000 for a car this size. Half the car for twice the cash! If that isn't bad enough, they STOLE your tax dollars to finance this! Ha! Only in this modern world of Obama, Pelosi, record deficits, bailouts, unfunded government takeovers of health care...
It becomes clearer and clearer everyday how Obama got elected.
Only stupid people are breeding. Go ahead libs get mad at this post. Mad at me for telling the truth and not at your government for f@cking you.
Now here comes Fiat to ram it home some more! Bend over you power bottom you!
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