2014 FIAT 500 Abarth

PREVIEW

You typically have to look well outside the economy car segment if you want a car with a high level of style and personality. But leave it to the Italians to come up with an exception. The 2014 Fiat 500 looks like nothing else on the road, it's personable and, depending on the model, it's actually pretty fun to drive.

Though diminutive in size, the Fiat 500 has been a modest hit for the Fiat brand. From the outside, the charm of the original Fiat Cinquecento (500) from decades past lives on in the styling of today's modern interpretation. This little car is easy to park in tight spaces, it has a pretty comfortable ride quality and it returns very good fuel economy if you pick the base engine and the manual transmission. If stellar mpg isn't your top concern, the sprightly Turbo and sporty Abarth models are more likely to put a grin on your face. A retracting fabric convertible roof is also available on most trims for an al fresco driving experience.

Did we mention it's Italian, though? Yes, there are some functional issues with the 500, and depending on your feelings toward the car, you might call them problems or dismiss them as part of its character. Coupes with the optional sunroof are noticeably short on headroom. Fiat says it has lowered the front passenger seat to help out this year, but given the snug quarters in here, taller adults are still likely to have an issue. Opting for the convertible certainly cures this problem, but creates another in the process as rearward visibility is reduced. Besides these drawbacks, points are also deducted for the 500's slow acceleration with the base engine, tiny rear seats, unintuitive controls, limited automatic transmission availability, reduced cargo capacity in the convertible version and decidedly budget-grade interior materials.

Comparisons to the Mini Cooper and Volkswagen Beetle are inevitable. Both are typically more expensive, but the new Mini is more customizable and sharper-driving, while the solid-feeling Beetle is roomier. And from a practical standpoint, traditional four-door economy cars like the Chevrolet Sonic and Ford Fiesta just make more sense both financially and from a daily-use standpoint. Flawed as it is, though, the 2014 Fiat 500 still manages to cram a lot of style and fun into a small package.

FEATURES

Classified as a two-door subcompact, the 2014 Fiat 500 is available either as a hatchback or convertible. The hatchback is offered in five trim levels: Pop, Sport, Lounge, Turbo and Abarth. The convertible 500C comes in Pop, Lounge and Abarth trims.

Standard features for the base Pop trim include 15-inch steel wheels, heated mirrors, keyless entry, air-conditioning, full power accessories, cruise control, cloth upholstery, a height-adjustable driver seat, 50/50 split-folding rear seats, a trip computer, a tilt-only leather-wrapped steering wheel, Bluetooth phone connectivity and a six-speaker sound system with a CD player, auxiliary audio input and iPod integration.

The Sport trim is only offered as a coupe and adds 16-inch alloy wheels, a few sporty exterior styling touches, a sport-tuned suspension, foglights, front sport seats, a front passenger seat armrest, a sport steering wheel and an upgraded Alpine audio system. The Turbo trim adds a more powerful engine, bigger brakes, a roof spoiler, perforated cloth seats and a leather-wrapped shift knob but goes without the audio upgrade.

The range-topping Lounge trim foregoes the sporty upgrades in favor of more luxurious appointments like 15-inch alloy wheels, chrome exterior trim, a fixed glass roof, automatic climate control, premium cloth upholstery and satellite radio. The 500C convertible models gain a three-position power cloth top and rear parking sensors.

To the Pop trim you can add the Beats Premium Audio package, which includes premium speakers with a trunk-mounted subwoofer and satellite radio. The Sport and Turbo trims are eligible for the Comfort and Convenience package that adds automatic climate control, satellite radio and heated front seats. A Luxury Leather package is available for Lounge models only and includes rear parking sensors, leather upholstery, heated front seats and an auto-dimming rearview mirror.

Some of the upper trims' features are available on the lower trims as options. Other options include a sunroof, various interior and exterior trim upgrades, an integrated TomTom navigation system and a wind deflector for convertibles.

Standing apart from the pack, the performance-focused Fiat 500 Abarth is outfitted similar to the Turbo trim but distinguishes itself with more power, distinctive exterior and interior styling tweaks and sportier suspension tuning. Seventeen-inch wheels with summer performance tires are available as an option.

Two special-edition Fiat 500s are also new for 2014. The 1957 Edition (commemorating the year the original 500 was introduced) is based on the Lounge trim and features three charming vintage wheel designs, exterior color schemes and badging, along with unique leather combinations on the inside. The GQ Edition convertible, produced in concert with the popular men's magazine, takes the Turbo trim as a starting point and embellishes the exterior with more aggressive bodywork and adds premium leather treatments and trim inside.

INTERIOR

Inside, the 2014 Fiat 500 features a modern take on the old 500's interior design. It looks inviting enough, and two-tone interior color choices and the sporty treatments in higher trims increase the appeal. Materials quality, however, falls short of other compact economy car interiors, and there's an abundance of hard plastic surfaces. We've also found the 500's unintuitive control layout and the lack of knobs on the dashboard (even for the radio volume) to be a constant annoyance. The Blue & Me voice-activated iPod control is similarly frustrating to operate.

Despite its small footprint, the Fiat 500 can be surprisingly roomy for front occupants. The upright seating position provides a wealth of legroom for taller drivers, but the available sunroof cuts into headroom, and we'd advise skipping it if you're much past 5 feet, 8 inches tall. Rear-seat passengers will have a distinctly different experience, as there's very little head- or legroom available. Overall visibility is good in the hatchback, but the convertible's fully retracted top blocks out your rearward view.

Behind the hatchback's backseat you'll find 9.5 cubic feet of luggage space. Lower the backseat in the hatchback and you'll have 30.2 cubic feet of space available (though the load floor isn't completely flat). In prior years, this total capacity was better than the Mini Cooper's, but the redesigned 2014 Cooper hatchback has more space than the 500 now. Cargo capacity drops significantly in the convertible 500C, with only 5.4 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 23.4 with the seats stowed.

UNDER THE HOOD

Three engines are available on the 2014 Fiat 500. The Pop, Sport and Lounge models receive a 1.4-liter four-cylinder that produces 101 horsepower and 98 pound-feet of torque. Power is sent to the front wheels through a standard five-speed manual transmission. A six-speed automatic is available as an option.

In Autoexpress performance testing, a manual-equipped Fiat 500 Sport went from zero to 60 mph in 10.5 seconds -- that's about a second slower than the typical economy car. An automatic-equipped 500C was even slower in our testing, taking 12.4 seconds to reach 60 mph. The EPA estimates fuel economy at an excellent 34 mpg combined (31 city/40 highway) for the manual. The automatic's estimate of 30 mpg combined (27/34) is still admirable, but falls short of most rivals.

The Fiat 500 Turbo and GQ Edition gain a turbocharged version of the 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine that generates 135 hp and 150 lb-ft of torque. A five-speed manual is the only transmission available. At our test track, the Turbo posted a 0-60-mph time of 8.1 seconds, which is notably better than the base engine. Fuel economy is estimated at 30 mpg combined (28 city/34 highway).

The Abarth model's upgraded turbocharged engine increases power to 160 hp and 170 lb-ft of torque. The five-speed manual is again the only transmission offered. Fuel economy estimates remain identical to those for the 500 Turbo. In Autoexpress testing, the Abarth coupe sprinted to 60 mph in a quick 7.1 seconds.

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2013 FIAT 500 Abarth

PREVIEW

Not too long ago, the words "compact" and "economical" were equated with cheap and dull when it came to cars. Nowadays, it seems as if some small and affordable transports are not just agreeable and fun, but even desirable. Leading the charge is the 2013 Fiat 500, with its distinctly Italian take on the subcompact.

As one of the smallest cars on sale today, the Fiat 500 somehow manages to deliver heartily on a number of levels. From the outside, the charm of the original Fiat Cinquecento (500) from decades past lives on in the styling of today's modern interpretation. Inside, front passengers are treated to a surprisingly spacious cabin that is adorned with plenty of contemporary niceties. Add to that a pleasantly lively driving experience and favorable fuel economy figures, and it's no wonder why the Fiat 500 is one of our top recommended coupes.

With a variety of trim levels and the availability of convertible models, there seems to be a Fiat 500 for a wide range of tastes and budgets. For 2013, a new 500 Turbo model bridges the gap between the standard engine and performance-focused Abarth, while the latter is now also available in a convertible version.

Still, there are a few drawbacks that shoppers should be aware of. Taller folks should steer clear of the optional sunroof that cuts into headroom. Obviously, headroom's not a concern with the convertible models, but their lack of rear visibility is. Drivers with a penchant for performance may also want to upgrade to the new Turbo model, as the base engine is on the weak side and the automatic transmission further reinforces this feeling.

Still, the 2013 Fiat 500's flaws are no more egregious than those of its rivals. Comparisons to the 2013 Mini Cooper are inevitable, as both offer an abundance of personality and fun behind the wheel. The Fiat does have an edge over the Mini in terms of affordability and also benefits from a more compliant ride quality. The 2013 Scion iQ may also be of interest, but comes up short when it comes to practicality. The new 2013 Chevrolet Spark, on the other hand, has plenty of space, but isn't nearly as fun to drive or tantalizing as the Fiat 500.

FEATURES

The 2013 Fiat 500 is classified as a two-door subcompact and is available either as a hatchback or convertible. The hatchback is offered in five trim levels: Pop, Sport, Lounge, Turbo and Abarth. The convertible 500C comes in Pop, Lounge and Abarth trims.

Standard features for the base Pop trim include 15-inch steel wheels, heated mirrors, keyless entry, air-conditioning, full power accessories, cruise control, cloth upholstery, a height-adjustable driver seat, 50/50 split-folding rear seats, a trip computer, a tilt-only leather-wrapped steering wheel, Bluetooth and a six-speaker sound system with a CD player, auxiliary audio input and iPod integration.

Stepping up to the Sport trim adds 16-inch alloy wheels, a few sporty exterior styling touches, a sport-tuned suspension, foglights, front sport seats, a sport steering wheel and an upgraded Alpine audio system. The Turbo trim adds a more powerful engine, bigger brakes, a roof spoiler and a leather-wrapped shift knob but goes without the audio upgrade.

The range-topping Lounge trim foregoes the sporty upgrades in favor of more luxurious appointments like 15-inch alloy wheels, chrome exterior trim, a fixed glass roof, automatic climate control, premium cloth upholstery and satellite radio. The 500C convertible models gain a three-position power cloth top and rear parking sensors.

To the Pop trim, you can add the Beats Premium Audio package, which includes premium speakers with a trunk-mounted subwoofer and satellite radio. The Sport and Turbo trims are eligible for the Comfort and Convenience package that adds automatic climate control, satellite radio and heated front seats. A Luxury Leather package is available for Lounge models only and includes leather upholstery, heated front seats, an auto-dimming rearview mirror and rear parking sensors.

Some of the upper trims' features are available on the lower trims as options. Other options include a sunroof, an integrated TomTom navigation system and a wind deflector for convertibles.

Standing apart from the pack, the performance-focused Fiat 500 Abarth is outfitted similar to the Turbo trim but further distinguishes itself with more power, distinctive exterior and interior styling tweaks and sportier suspension tuning. Seventeen-inch wheels with performance tires are available as an option.

INTERIOR

While the Fiat 500's retro styling screams "Mini fighter," its interior raises the decibels even further. It doesn't possess as many customization options and accessories as its British archrival, but the 500 does offer snazzy two-tone color schemes and plenty of neat little design cues. It also has a more straightforward control layout than the form-over-function Mini. However, the available "Blue & Me" voice-activated iPod control is practically unusable, leaving you to use the standard auxiliary jack.

As for interior quality, the Fiat is not quite up to the Mini's level. There are more hard surfaces, but compared to other cars in its modest price range, they are pleasingly textured and generally higher in quality.

Though the Fiat 500 is one of the smallest cars sold in the United States, its high-mounted front seats allow for an impressive amount of legroom even for tall drivers. Sadly, however, those same tall drivers will find their heads grazing the headliner should they get a car with the available sunroof. Headroom is always tight in the backseat, as is legroom. Unlike most other convertibles, the 500C does not suffer diminished interior space. Rearward visibility with the top fully retracted is poor, however.

Behind the hatchback's backseat you'll find 9.5 cubic feet of luggage space, considerably more than what's offered by the Mini. Lower the backseat in the hatchback and although the load floor isn't completely flat, you'll have 30.2 cubic feet of space available, or about 25 percent more than you'll get in a Cooper hatchback.

UNDER THE HOOD

There are three engines offered in the 2013 Fiat 500 lineup. The Pop, Sport and Lounge models receive a 1.4-liter four-cylinder that produces 101 horsepower and 98 pound-feet of torque. Power is sent to the front wheels through a five-speed manual transmission, which is standard, with a six-speed automatic available as an option.

In Autoexpress performance testing, a manual-equipped Fiat 500 Sport went from zero to 60 mph in 10.5 seconds with the manual transmission -- about 1.5 seconds slower than a base Mini. An automatic-equipped 500C hit 60 mph in a rather slow 12.4 seconds. The EPA estimates fuel economy at an excellent 31 mpg city/40 mpg highway and 34 mpg in combined driving for the manual. The automatic's estimate of 27/34/30 mpg is still admirable, but falls short of most rivals.

The new Fiat 500 Turbo boosts output to 135 hp and 150 lb-ft of torque. A five-speed manual is the only transmission available. At the test track the Turbo posted a 0-60 mph time of 8.1 seconds, which is notably better than the base engine. Fuel economy is estimated at 28/34/31 mpg.

The Abarth model further increases power to 160 hp and 170 lb-ft of torque, yet fuel economy estimates remain identical to the 500 Turbo. In Autoexpress testing, the Abarth coupe sprinted to 60 mph in a quick 7.1 seconds.

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Fiat 500 Abarth

SPECIFICATIONS

1. Abarth models make 160 hp and 170 lb-ft of torque from a 1.4-liter Multi-Air turbocharged 4-cylinder. 2. With a 5-speed manual and weighing just 2,512 lbs it can accelerate to 60 mph in under 7 seconds. 3. While Italian in heritage, all North American 500 Abarths are built at the Chrysler Plant in Toluca, Mexico. 4. Pricing for the Abarth starts at $22,000

PREVIEW

Car enthusiasts throughout North America bemoan the fact that we often get short changed when it comes to receiving hot performance versions of popular vehicles in Europe and Japan. Either we don’t get them period, or when they do show up, they’re somehow three-quarters of a whole. And on paper at least, the Fiat 500 Abarth appears to be a bit like that.

In Europe, Abarth is considered a separate entity from Fiat with it’s own independent dealer network and cars based not only on the 500 but also the larger Punto. This would seem logical, given the nameplate’s storied history in Europe, where Carlo Abarth’s pint-sized, Fiat-based performance pills, notably the 595, 695, 850 and 1000TC proved to be giant killers in sports car racing during the 1960s. In fact, in Europe you can actually get “reborn” 595 Competizione and Turismo versions, limited edition 500 based cars that celebrates the brand’s racing heritage, as well as a cabriolet and a host of Esseesse (SS) tuning kits.

In North America, however, Abarth and, come to think of it, Fiat, have never enjoyed anywhere the same status as they have in Europe. As a result, when a tuned “Nuova Cinquecento” finally landed on our shores, four years after its debut across the pond, it was simply labeled Fiat 500 Abarth.

INTERIOR

Inside, as befitting a proper performance car, pint-sized or otherwise, the regular 500 cabin has been upgraded with a sporty, thick-rimmed Abarth steering wheel, prominent 160 mph speedometer and turbo boost gauge, plus drilled foot pedals and a pair of Abarth performance bucket seats, completed with firm bolstering and harness pass through.  Additionally, the back seat, tiny as it is, has been reconfigured to complement the front ones, with better lateral support should you find yourself banished there. Both cloth and leather upholstery is offered, though in our eyes the former seems more in keeping with this car and is certainly more practical, especially if you live in a hotter part of the country.

Although the original Abarths were primitive to say the least, this one boasts a whole array of modern conveniences, besides power windows, mirrors and climate control, plus a stereo with satellite radio, it’s offered with a dash top port for a detachable Tom Tom navigation system and is available with BLUE&ME hands-free technology (essentially Fiat’s version of SYNC).

                               

UNDER THE HOOD

But enough of that; the real reason somebody would likely want to buy a 500 Abarth in the first place is to drive the living snot out of it.

And again, on paper, all the right ingredients seem to be there. Our version is powered by a 1.4-liter Multi-Air turbocharged four that’s rated at 160 horsepower and 170 lb-ft of torque. (In Europe 135 and 160 hp non Multi Air 1.4 motors are offered).

On North American 500 Abarths only one gearbox is offered; a beefed up five-speed manual with a 3.35:1 final drive ratio designed to aid quick take-offs.The specs on the engine read straight out of a tuner’s wish list: cast-iron block with structural aluminum oil pan, forged steel crankshaft, lightweight pistons with cooling jets and a twin-cam alloy head with electro-hydraulic actuated valve timing, courtesy of Fiat’s Multi-Air system. Combined with the single turbocharger, twin intercoolers and dual exhaust, it delivers a raspy note at idle and feels eager to rev.

Shift action is also satisfyingly smooth and it’s very easy to make full use of the engine’s potential through fast, efficient cog swapping. With 170 lb-ft of torque, you don’t have to absolutely cane the blown 1.4L, since, for a small engine, the power spread is wide and generous (max torque is available from 2500 rpm to 4000 revs with peak power at 5,500). Thanks to equal length half-shafts, torque steer is actually quite minimal under hard acceleration, a far cry from most hot hatches of yesteryear – and a few current ones.

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