Fiat 500 Turbo

SPECIFICATIONS

1. The Fiat 500 Turbo is equipped with a turbocharged 1.4-liter engine that makes 135 hp and 150 lb-ft of torque. 2. Turbo models get upgraded suspension, brakes, and steering components. 3. Offered exclusively with a 5-speed manual, fuel economy is rated at 28/34 mpg (city/hwy). 4. Pricing is $19,500 a $3,500 increase over the base 500 but $2,500 less than the Abarth.

PREVIEW

The Fiat 500 lineup has been expanding ever since inception, now offering a convertible, sport-tuned Abarth version, and the new-for-2013 500 Turbo that looks to blend the best aspects of both the standard car and the hot hatch. For those who want something faster than a regular Fiat 500, but who don’t want to spend the $22,000 (base price) for the Abarth, the Fiat 500 Turbo looks to offer the best of both a hot hatch and a commuter friendly subcompact.

Upgrade to the 500 Turbo and Fiat tacks on low front fenders, 16-inch aluminum wheels complete with red brake calipers, blacked out headlights with black bezels and a spoiler that come together to give the 500 Turbo an edgier look compared to the bubbly, happy-go-lucky Fiat 500 design.

The slight upgrades succeed in giving off the impression that the 500T is meant for more than just highway driving and city living, and give the car an edge that takes it out of the “girl car” realm into which it’s often pigeonholed. Besides the aggressive bolt-ons, there are no particular badges that indicate that this 500 is anything more than a regular 500, adding to its under-the-radar appeal. That said, it’s not likely to get you noticed, save perhaps the enticing exhaust note.

Spitting out the back of the little 500T is an exhaust note more akin to a sports car than a European runabout; it is one of the pure pleasures found on the 500 Turbo. Keeping a smile from your face when you hear the engine start up is hard to resist, as it burbles, spits and hisses, giving a sports-performance aura more than any low fenders or spoiler ever could.

INTERIOR

The entertainment system is straightforward and responsive, something that has come to be expected from Chrysler. The 500T is also equipped with a Beats by Dre 368-watt audio system, which delivers clear music with an incredible depth and space for each frequency to breathe. As a music lover, I would opt for the upgraded system, though many who are only looking for a sporty ride may be stuck with an extra price premium, for something that is not a priority. And besides, that exhaust note is a capable solo artist.Inside, the seating position offered is high up and upright, but thanks to the bubble-inspired roof, allows for individuals 6-foot and up ample headroom, though driver side legroom is intruded upon by the shifter housing. Because it is mounted at the lowest part of the center stack, a large protruding plastic housing for the shifter sits exactly where us taller folk would like to rest there knee, leaving only an edge that can become uncomfortable over time.

Control-wise, the only seemingly out of place switch is for the power-window controls, which are located in the center of the car rather than on the doors themselves. The front mounted steering wheels controls also deserve a special mention, for being very ergonomic, and incorporated well into the design of the wheel itself.

UNDER THE HOOD

Power is delivered by the same 1.4-liter MultiAir Turbo that moves the Abarth, though in this turbo form it is downgraded by 25 hp and 20 lb-ft of torque, making a total 135 hp and 150 lb-ft. Between the Turbo and the Abarth exists a difference of $2,500, which gets you a little power bump, and not much else.

The 500T offers the best parts of the Abarth, and leaves little to be desired. A performance tuned suspension lifted from the Italian pocket rocket delivers a stiff ride, sometimes uncomfortable, but a tremendously fun experience when thrown into a corner. The car grips and sticks, and occasionally suffers from a bit of understeer. As power goes to the front wheels, torque steer is present, but not in any damning way.

The power increase, which includes a 50 percent improvement in torque compared to the base 500, is much appreciated. Not just a car for fans of performance, it’s an all-around better package – one that you won’t struggle to get up to highway speed with and don’t have to constantly drive to redline.

Still, it can be a bit of a slouch at low rpm, and even in first gear. Toss the shifter into second and hit around 3000 rpm however, and the torque is released making the little Italian buggy scurry like a jackrabbit.