Automotive News, Media & Press - Revealed - 2012 Fiat 500 Abarth turbo

The Fiat 500 Abarth Comes to America

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By Paul Lienert, Correspondent | Published Nov 16, 2011

Just the Facts:

The 2012 Fiat 500 Abarth is finally making its first stateside appearance this week at the L.A. auto show.
It doesn't look much different from the European version.
For the U.S. market, the 500 Abarth gets a new 160hp 1.4-liter MultiAir Turbo engine.

LOS ANGELES — It doesn't look much different from the car that debuted three and a half years ago in Europe, but the 2012 Fiat 500 Abarth is finally making its first stateside appearance this week at the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show.

Fiat describes its mini hot rod as "the Italian high-performance car for everyday driving at an attainable price."

For the U.S. market, the 500 Abarth gets a new 1.4-liter MultiAir Turbo four-cylinder engine, rated at 160 horsepower, as well as Abarth-tuned suspension and brakes.

The upgrades include a recalibrated engine control module and a "performance-tuned" exhaust, according to Fiat.

Fiat dealers in the U.S. will get the new model in the first half of 2012.

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Inside Line says: Pretty spunky, as small cars go.

Looks like a smart car and a mini cooper had a kid.

Luv it! :D Will have to add one to the stable. Thanks for the pics.

Does anyone else see these shifters built into the radio and feel like it will feel more like shifting an old truck than something resembling "sporty"? Maybe my feelings are incorrect as I've never driven one, but it's atrocious looking.

Does anyone else see these shifters built into the radio and feel like it will feel more like shifting an old truck than something resembling "sporty"? Maybe my feelings are incorrect as I've never driven one, but it's atrocious looking.

Center consoles take up too much space in these cars. I do agree with you on the look of "shifting the radio" though. Beyond that the interior does look pretty sweet.

I've never driven any of these ultra-compacts either, and I doubt I ever will.

Could not wait for this thing to hit our shores! My friends give me shit because I live these little things. Definitely going to have a test drive I wonder if there's any tuning market for them. :)

Looks like a smart car and a mini cooper had a kid.

I'm thinking Neon and Mini.

I hate them.

Meh, an insult to performance cars.

It's sad to see, out of all the great cars in europe.. that we're being invaded by the crappy little bubble mobiles that people drive in the uk.

I don't care how fast this is, I'd be HUMILIATED to drive it.

I don't know if I'd be humiliated, but I certainly don't want any of these tiny cars given my current commute. I wouldn't mind this thing if my daily commute was under 10 miles and didn't involve the interstate. My daily commute is 13 miles, 10 on interstate, and I have a monthly meeting out of town. All of that adds up to a big "no" on these cars. I can see the appeal for a commuter who just wants a gas sipper to keep miles off of their fun car though.

Meh, an insult to performance cars.

It's sad to see, out of all the great cars in europe.. that we're being invaded by the crappy little bubble mobiles that people drive in the uk.

I don't care how fast this is, I'd be HUMILIATED to drive it.

It isn't a performance car. It is a city car. :bang:

What are the mpg figures looking like?

If it can pull 35mpg avg. or more I could see it as a replacement for my DD. Just a commuter/puddle jumper car.

On second thought the Cobalt SS is larger and gets 35mpg avg....... Wonder what the Sonic will get from the 1.4 turbo engine, looks like a slightly better option. It is supposed to get 29city/40+hwy.

http://image.motortrend.com/f/33904829+w786+ar1/2012-chevrolet-sonic-front-left-view.jpg

They made a gay car even gayer

I think they're awesome little cars. 160 hp in a shoe box has to be quick enough to make it really entertaining to drive.

I would sport one around town. Mini's are too mainstream now, at least around here.

Call me fruity but I like it. I like in the sense of it would be my wifes car that I could secretly zip around in it but still have the excuse of "It's my wifes car".

I like them!! not sure I would buy one but I do like fiats.

I have a 60 that is waiting for lots and lots of rust repair and a engine from a 67 850

http://theguestroom.net/fiat/DSC_8083%20%28Medium%29.jpg

It is hard to understand how small it really is.

parking it next to the engine hoist gives me an idea how tiny that toy is

haha yeah or the lawnmower next to it. It is right around 10' long and just over 4' wide. Brought it home on a lawnmower trailer. should be fun tho

put a subaru sti motor in that thing. :lol:

talking about a tiny metal death trap..

I find the "nuova" emblem very ironic.

put a subaru sti motor in that thing. :lol:

talking about a tiny metal death trap..


Yes, something! That car is dying for a swap.