RE: Driven: Abarth 500C

RE: Driven: Abarth 500C

Monday 3rd January 2011

Driven: Abarth 500C

Abarth time for Garlick. (And about time too, you might hear it whispered...)


PHer Garlick's 'scorpion'-styled steed was two-tone....
PHer Garlick's 'scorpion'-styled steed was two-tone....
When PH gets its hands on a Ferrari, you can rest-assured the entire team has the date inked into their diaries, and will come up with all manner of good reasons why they should drive it. The same can't always be said for some other models from the Fiat group, and using that to my advantage I managed to steal the keys to the Abarth 500C at the last Sunday Service of 2010. And I kept them in my pocket for the rest of the week.

...so he photographed it twice.
...so he photographed it twice.
I'm a fan of small FWD cars and have good memories of my old JCW MINI Cooper S. The Abarth is a similar proposition, with its image being what most drivers will judge before ever giving it a chance dynamically. This being PH Open Season, the 500 we've blagged is the C version, which means it has the almost pram-like opening roof in a style (not dissimilar to the old BMW Baur cars) giving it an open feel. But to be honest, with so much metal around you it's easy to forget it's open at all... Well, compared to my TVR, and our other Open Season drives at least.

So here's another one, courtesy of Fiat...
So here's another one, courtesy of Fiat...
For reasons known only to Abarth, the C version is only available with the automated 'Competizione' gearbox, which gives you a few buttons where the gearstick would be and paddles on the steering wheel. Leave it in auto and you have a fairly jerky change, but point it down a B-road, press the Sport button for a faster shift (it artificially weights-up the steering too), lift off slightly as you change gear and you'll be laughing out loud as the 1.4 turbo whisks you down the road at an unexpected lick. On a run from London to Goodwood we had a ball, as the turbo motor left us feeling there wasn't anything we couldn't pass safely. If the handling feels a little skittish at times, it is completely predictable and the rasp from the twin exhausts is addictive - especially with the roof open.

...and we'll say no more about it!
...and we'll say no more about it!
There is a compromise to all of this fun though, and that's down to the 'C' conversion. You really can feel the car twist and shake when pushing on, which is a shame as the roof-down experience really adds to the character of the car. So in spite of the buzz of listening to the turbo spinning and the exhaust popping, as a true PHer I suspect you might want to opt for the metal roof. It's worth mentioning at this point that the Abarth C has a slightly softer suspension set up than the hardtop too (to appeal to women drivers apparently...), so the hardtop is certainly the enthusiasts' choice.

The looks may divide opinion, but we reckon it looks the part in the colour combination we tested. OK, so perhaps it's over-styled in places and some of the design touches are at the detriment of functionality; the good looking steering wheel is too thick and doesn't adjust enough, you can't read the combined speedo and rev-counter at a glance, the rear window needs a wiper and you can't ignore the fact that sitting in traffic with the roof-down is a touch embarrassing. (Garlick, you love it... Ed.)

(Although frankly...
(Although frankly...
It's not cheap either, and will set you back over £17,000 as standard. Our car came loaded with options - leather seats, climate control, upgraded hi-fi, two-tone paint and painted 17'' wheels, all pushing the price up further. The 1.4 engine delivers 140bhp which equates to a 0-60 time of 7.8 seconds and a top speed of 127mph, but there is an 'Esseesse' pack available which takes this to 160bhp along with Esseesse badging too.

I really enjoyed this car, but I knew that after a week I would be able to give it back. In reality, if you want the open experience in your 500 you really should choose a lower model with a small engine and buzz around town in style, not noticing the shake and flex.

...it's probably Riggers' fault.)
...it's probably Riggers' fault.)
If you want the full Abarth experience however (and I recommend that you do) then save yourself some money and choose the non-C version. You'll appreciate the solidity only a roof can offer, it gives you the auto/ manual choice, you get better suspension and you'll have a fantastic looking driver's car. It might not be quite as fast or polished as its German MINI rival, but isn't that all part of the Italian charm?



 

Author
Discussion

whythem

Original Poster:

773 posts

176 months

Monday 3rd January 2011
quotequote all
I think if you want to drive around town looking cool, then surely buy an original 5oo for about 6 or 7K. These new ones just look like helmits with wheels, especially in white. The mini wins hands down both in performance and looks IMO. Unfortunately both the cars have the problem of appealing to women more than men. Better off with a Clio with all the bits.

Picard

38 posts

179 months

Monday 3rd January 2011
quotequote all
Good write was looking at getting one for my girlfriend (she adores the barbie hot pink example but each to their own). I visited the flagship store at the back of Oxford street and the only issue I had with it was the centre console looked a bit out of place and slightly cheap.

Now if they did a 200bhp example I would be interested and would take it over a mini, A1 maybe not the DS3-R though!

eightseventhree

2,193 posts

203 months

Monday 3rd January 2011
quotequote all
200bhp can be made from the small 1.4

most people get them (non essesse) to the 170 mark (for about 300 quid) unless your name is LargerLout and 300 is more what you were looking for!

Picard

38 posts

179 months

Monday 3rd January 2011
quotequote all
eightseventhree said:
200bhp can be made from the small 1.4

most people get them (non essesse) to the 170 mark (for about 300 quid) unless your name is LargerLout and 300 is more what you were looking for!
I think 200bhp would be enough for London wouldn't get to use the rest. 300 is pretty good but I suspect that just turns the turbo pressure up which increases lag right? Rather get it done properly so didn't drive that differently from the OME example

Simbu

1,779 posts

173 months

Monday 3rd January 2011
quotequote all
If you've got more money than sense you can buy one of the 49 Abarth Assetto Corse 500's that were made. 190bhp from the manufacturer. They look mental as well:





Also, Radio 1 Garlick? Really?



ian_c_uk

1,229 posts

202 months

Monday 3rd January 2011
quotequote all
Simbu said:

Also, Radio 1 Garlick? Really?

Yeah, but you have to admire the ocd'ness of lining up all the aircon controls.

No? Just me then paperbag

Garlick

40,601 posts

239 months

Monday 3rd January 2011
quotequote all
That one was a press shot, I'm a radio 2 man myself. I do line up the controls though.....

Exoticaholic

1,042 posts

211 months

Monday 3rd January 2011
quotequote all
I have a bi-colour black and white one with black leather and white alloys.

I love it!

tomv1to

144 posts

166 months

Monday 3rd January 2011
quotequote all
I love my 500 SS. 160bhp might not sound like a lot by todays standards but its certainly enough for a fun, spirited drive around town, and with the Monza exhaust upgrade the car sounds even better. I know the Clio RS200's and the Mini Cooper S and JCW's are faster but they don't have quite the same character to them.

I really do think the Abarth 500 SS is the best car in the super mini segment at the moment. Its relatively economical (fuel and insurance,) it looks quirky, sounds great has a fantastic interior (especially when you compare it to the Clio,) and its fast enough to put a grin on your face.

lotus99t

278 posts

183 months

Monday 3rd January 2011
quotequote all
tomv1to said:
I love my 500 SS. 160bhp might not sound like a lot by todays standards but its certainly enough for a fun, spirited drive around town, and with the Monza exhaust upgrade the car sounds even better. I know the Clio RS200's and the Mini Cooper S and JCW's are faster but they don't have quite the same character to them.

I really do think the Abarth 500 SS is the best car in the super mini segment at the moment. Its relatively economical (fuel and insurance,) it looks quirky, sounds great has a fantastic interior (especially when you compare it to the Clio,) and its fast enough to put a grin on your face.
.

I second that.I have a Clio 200 and an Abarth 500 135bhp and I love them both.The Clio is more focussed but not as much of an occasion to drive

mainaman

413 posts

184 months

Tuesday 4th January 2011
quotequote all
The closed top version starts from 14 400,which is not cheap,considering that its only rival in the supermini class is the Renaultsport Twingo,which costs only 12 800 and is totally fantastic over twisty roads.I like the Fiat,but you really have to love it to pick an SS one over the Clio or other bigger and faster cars.

Edited by mainaman on Tuesday 4th January 05:41

Leicesterdave

2,282 posts

179 months

Tuesday 4th January 2011
quotequote all
I have a soft spot for them but always thinks it's that bit too girly for me. A MINI is far less girly imo.

g3org3y

20,590 posts

190 months

Tuesday 4th January 2011
quotequote all
What's up with the solitary dial up on the dash that says 'sport'?

roverspeed

700 posts

195 months

Tuesday 4th January 2011
quotequote all
g3org3y said:
What's up with the solitary dial up on the dash that says 'sport'?
I'd say probably a boost gauge.

Garlick

40,601 posts

239 months

Tuesday 4th January 2011
quotequote all
roverspeed said:
g3org3y said:
What's up with the solitary dial up on the dash that says 'sport'?
I'd say probably a boost gauge.
yes It is a boost gauge, and the 'sport' word lights up when the sport button is pressed.

jimbro1000

1,619 posts

283 months

Tuesday 4th January 2011
quotequote all
roverspeed said:
g3org3y said:
What's up with the solitary dial up on the dash that says 'sport'?
I'd say probably a boost gauge.
Boost and shift light (it doesn't say 'sport' - it says 'shift', the dashboard has a line that says 'spor't though if you really feel it is essential - there is a dead line that says 'city' too but that doesn't get used in the Abarth models).

Edited by jimbro1000 on Tuesday 4th January 09:22

g3org3y

20,590 posts

190 months

Tuesday 4th January 2011
quotequote all
Garlick said:
roverspeed said:
g3org3y said:
What's up with the solitary dial up on the dash that says 'sport'?
I'd say probably a boost gauge.
yes It is a boost gauge, and the 'sport' word lights up when the sport button is pressed.
Looks er...'sporty' thumbup

k-ink

9,070 posts

178 months

Tuesday 4th January 2011
quotequote all
I managed to leave a mini cooper s behind in my previous old Alfa 145. We were both clearly pushing to the limit as well. But it showed up the relatively average performance for the price of the mini. Now if this Arbarth is slower again that turns me off all together. The old 145 was faster, arguably more character than both the Mini and 500, and possibly around £17,000 change too. It just lacks that brand new shiny number plate. That's a steep price to pay to be blown away by a £2k ancient box hehe

jimbro1000

1,619 posts

283 months

Tuesday 4th January 2011
quotequote all
k-ink said:
I managed to leave a mini cooper s behind in my previous old Alfa 145. We were both clearly pushing to the limit as well. But it showed up the relatively average performance for the price of the mini. Now if this Arbarth is slower again that turns me off all together. The old 145 was faster, arguably more character than both the Mini and 500, and possibly around £17,000 change too. It just lacks that brand new shiny number plate. That's a steep price to pay to be blown away by a £2k ancient box hehe
The 145 was the best hot hatch Alfa made, the 147 is a dog by comparison - especially with the whiplash inducing semi-auto box. The A500 by comparison is very well screwed together, faster around a track but ultimately not as quick in a straight line but given it is at a 20+bhp disadvantage without the esseesse kit that is hardly a big surprise. For those that don't fancy the esseesse upgrade a mere £240 buys you a removable tuning box that makes up the difference (and helps with the fuel economy).

Trying to compare the performance of two different cars when driven by two different people is a waste of time anyway and by now everyone on here should know that too!

One last thought - the Alfa 145 cloverleaf manages to pull 62mph in 8.3s - that is a full 0.5s slower than the Abarth, the 2007 Cooper S is over a second quicker again than the non-esseesse A500. The esseesse version pegs the cooper s pretty much exactly (just a fraction slower). Given how much better both the Mini and the A500 handle compared with the 145 I reckon your little race with a cooper was a long, long way from indicative of the relative performance of the cars. The only thing your 145 has over the A500 is a v-max about 5mph higher...

Edited by jimbro1000 on Tuesday 4th January 19:55

Porsche997C4S

160 posts

163 months

Tuesday 4th January 2011
quotequote all
Would much rather have this than a Mini.