Tuesday 13th May 2008

Supercharged Fiat 500

Novitec gives the 500 some well needed power

---

The new Fiat 500 Abarth looks well worth the wait but if you want to get your hands on a hot 500 right now, Novitec might have the answer.

Novitec are well known for mangling Ferraris and has now had a go at the baby Fiat.

There is a 13hp boost to the 1.3 diesel 500 but we are not particularly interested in that, it is the supercharged petrol version we want to get our hands on.

The 1.4 16-valve engine now a healthy has 131hp and the car will accelerate to 60mph in 8.8 seconds and on to a top speed of just under 130mph.

There is also a twin-tip stainless steel exhaust, a front spoiler and 16 or 17” wheels.

The suspension has also been modified to improve handling – you can have either sport springs in combination with the production shock absorbers or a height-adjustable coil-over sport suspension set which can lower the car from 30 mm to 80mm.

 

[Luca1973]

Love it with the black wheels. Any idea on price?

[Oli S]

Not yet. Will let you know if I can find out...

[chunkymonkey71]

This is a great day! first a stunning new ferrari, then this!

I'd love to drive that at "just under 130mph"...! I'd be crapping myself!

What fun!

[Oli S]

Yes, it's turned out to be a bit of an Italian day all round really...

[DamoLLb]

It looks great, and im sure it will sound the biz too. I dont want to bang on about weight, but ill have a little pop....131 horses and only just cracking sub 9!!

[midcuk]

way better now that should be fun to drive, looks "cute" as well, hope the extra funding needed is not too extortionate

[G0ldfysh]

Without the bodykit, just the extra boost and black wheels please

[alfa_male]

Oli S said:

Yes, it's turned out to be a bit of an Italian day all round really...

Indeed!!!

[layabout]

You need to buy 2 to make it a pair of roller skates.;)

[bob1179]

That is one awesome little machine!

I really do like it.

[clonmult]

G0ldfysh said:

Without the bodykit, just the extra boost and black wheels please

+1

I'm totally loving the 500, its followed on nicely from the original (unlike others, Scirocco, Beetle, Mini). Seen a few around and they're an utterly gorgeous little car.

[Mike400]

Im guessing that a renaultsport clio will be cheaper, and as a standard car will have full manufacturer backup re warranty etc

The clio will be faster too obviously.

Yes I know, no prices have been released, but honestly it will be quite expensive - theres the price of the basic car, add that to the price of the tuner's package and I bet it will end up not being very good value when compared to other cars of the same cost

[Nuova500]

That's it, mine needs lowering, where's that angle grinder?

[steveb8189]

I like the look, but 8.8 seconds to 60. The old punto HGT 1.4 turbo with 130bhp did it in 7.6.

Gearing maybe or just struggling to get the power down with no weight on the front wheels?

[annodomini2]

DamoLLb said:

It looks great, and im sure it will sound the biz too. I dont want to bang on about weight, but ill have a little pop....131 horses and only just cracking sub 9!!

Not bad really for a new 'modern' car with all the NCAP rubbish.

Also they tend to be geared longer for emissions.

[Nuova500]

clonmult said:

+1

I'm totally loving the 500, its followed on nicely from the original (unlike others, Scirocco, Beetle, Mini). Seen a few around and they're an utterly gorgeous little car.

They are a little ugly from certain angle around the rear end though.

[Vedrfolner]

steveb8189 said:

I like the look, but 8.8 seconds to 60. The old punto HGT 1.4 turbo with 130bhp did it in 7.6.

Gearing maybe or just struggling to get the power down with no weight on the front wheels?

I am sure the old Punto weighted like 700 kilos? This one a ton? I am sure the difference is the weight. And I am sure the 500 is a much better car.

Modern cars are way too heavy, as they have lots of unnecessary gadgets in them and are bigger than they were 20-30 years ago. The car companies generates most of their surplus income on useless equipment like airbags, electrical everything, driving aids and other stuff that comes in addition to the necessities of a car: wheels, brakes, engine, driver's seat and navigation instruments (lights, signals etc). The price we pay for a transport unit is unbelievable.

Of course, for me a car is much more than a transport unit, but it is clear that the vast majority of car owners are being scammed.

[willcrookz]

whats the point in this car when the Abarth will be faster and with a remap probably quite fast

[jjwprestidge]

The standard 1.4 500 is well under a ton - not exactly heavy by most standards, especially as it has a 5 star Euro/NCAP rating. The supercharger may add a bit of weight but I can't imagine that the whole package will weigh any more than 1000 KGs. I guess the gearing might be quite long.

Of course, it will have to compete with the similarly powerful Abarth 500, which is due out soon and expected to cost around £13000.

JP

[steveb8189]

Vedrfolner said:

I am sure the old Punto weighted like 700 kilos? This one a ton? I am sure the difference is the weight. And I am sure the 500 is a much better car.

Amazingly the punto was 1000kg and the 500 is 930 (before the supercharger!)

Vedrfolner said:

Modern cars are way too heavy, as they have lots of unnecessary gadgets in them and are bigger than they were 20-30 years ago. The car companies generates most of their surplus income on useless equipment like airbags, electrical everything, driving aids and other stuff that comes in addition to the necessities of a car: wheels, brakes, engine, driver's seat and navigation instruments (lights, signals etc). The price we pay for a transport unit is unbelievable.

compeltely agree but I think everything should be optional i.e. it should still be available