NA Fiat 500 Abarth - 170hp!

[SRT Junky]

Recently announced, it looks like the Fiat 500 will be sold in North America by December of THIS year.

Equally exciting, it looks like the Abarth variant will be adorned with Fiat's 170hp version of it's 1.4 liter MultiAir equipped FIRE power plant from the Alfa Romeo MiTo Quadrifoglio Verde.

This begs the question, why would they give North America's standard Abarth the premo power plant with more ponies than Europe's top of the line Abarth Essesse package (160hp).

Link below:

http://fiat500usa.blogspot.com/

[JakeBrewer]

America is more obsessed with horsepower than europe...

[OmniFocus]

True.... and the more I think about it, the more I want one of these.

[SRT Junky]

America is more obsessed with horsepower than europe...

Agreed, but the blog also makes a good point in saying that 135 just isn't enough to make it competitive in this segment.

Standard non-turbo variant will be in the 100 horsepower range. Should still be plenty fun and achieve decent mpg ratings.

[bigdaddyG8]

Does it come with a skate key?

I'll need two.

[SRT Junky]

Does it come with a skate key?

I'll need two.

That would be 340 hp worth of roller skates!

This WILL be my next daily driver. No ifs ands or butts...

Speculation says high teens to low twenties as far as price

[DarkHorse]

...Speculation says high teens to low twenties as far as price

For the Abarth?

[FORDSVTPARTS]

I can't wait to see if I fit in one

If I was in the market for a new car I'd seriously consider the Abarth if Ford didn't have something equivalent or better.

They better start thinking real hard on a Fiesta ST/SVT/RS with only two doors.

[SRT Junky]

For the Abarth?

Yeah. Standard, or "Sport" versions will most likely start in the mid teens. 14 to 16k. Supposedly, the number of customizable options is going to rival Mini.

[DarkHorse]

Hmm...I like that price range...I wasn't too impressed with the 500's in photos. I thought they looked too much like a Beetle, but once I saw them while in Prague I became a big fan.

[secondechomatt]

I think that price range is completely unrealistic. I'm putting the abarth at around 23 to start.

[SRT Junky]

Hmm...I like that price range...I wasn't too impressed with the 500's in photos. I thought they looked too much like a Beetle, but once I saw them while in Prague I became a big fan.

The standard 500s are a little on the ... cute side.

No matter, the Abarth tuners put a healthy helping of mean in there.

Can't post pics at work, but if you follow the link, you can view the beautiful Abarthlyness

[polizei]

I'd have to see one in person...but if they can keep the Abarth under $20k, I can see it rivaling MINI. I don't think I would sell my MINI for one though.

-Cody

[SRT Junky]

I think that price range is completely unrealistic. I'm putting the abarth at around 23 to start.

Again, it's all speculation at this point. 23 grand doesn't sound too bad to me either... It's a 170 hp go-kart...

I'm just looking at the fact that the top of the line Sport model may fall in the 16k range, I wouldn't think the Abarth would be much more than five grand more.

[OmniFocus]

It'll be an ill-handling, torque-steering buzzy little rattletrap crap-can.

....which is pretty much why I want one.

[BLRich1]

any idea on how much its supposed to weigh?

[S. on Da 5]

Very ballsy.

[SRT Junky]

I'd have to see one in person...but if they can keep the Abarth under $20k, I can see it rivaling MINI. I don't think I would sell my MINI for one though.

-Cody

If you bought you Cooper S new, chances are, you paid more than 20k. As you should have. I believe the Cooper S is worth more than 20k new.

Just as point of reference, in Europe, a comparibly equipped 500 is several thousand Euro cheaper than the Mini Cooper, with similar build quality and materials. The 500 is 5 inches shorter though.

[SRT Junky]

any idea on how much its supposed to weigh?

2400-2500 I think.

[Apex clipper]

America is more obsessed with horsepower than europe...

Er!...Ponders....Eh!...