2015 Fiat 500C Abarth Automatic Test: A Self-Shifting Droptop Mini-Exotic

Instrumented Test

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An automatic alfresco ankle-biter.

Appear what followed us home. The tiny fella is noisy, a flashy dresser, and, at $ 32,095 out the door, pricey by the pound. Subtlety is not a single of the Fiat 500C Abarth’s virtues. When we tested a manual-transmission coupe version final year, it was sent to the showers by the Ford Fiesta ST and the new Mini Cooper S hardtop. So why is it shadowing our driveway?

Even though we’re staunch supporters of human-shifted cogs, this Abarth cabrio’s 6-speed automatic transmission gives an exciting contrast to the floppy shifter and mushy clutch of the 5-speed manual in the Fiat 500C Abarth we tested in 2013. It turns out that the Aisin 6-speed automatic—a $ 1350 option—is well matched to the 1.4-liter turbo’s energy curve. Fiat tunes the MultiAir 4-cylinder differently for the automatic application: Compared with the manual version, energy is down 3 horsepower to 157 but torque jumps by 13 lb-ft to 183. The added grunt, peaking 25-rpm lower in the rev range, makes this engine way much less boggy under 3000 rpm than we’ve experienced, for instance, in the 2013 Dodge Dart. In truth, the automatic Abarth outdragged the stick-shift 500C, hitting 60 mph in 6.9 seconds versus the manual’s 7.3 seconds.

Italians are Excellent Dancers, Appropriate?

As with the stick-shift version, the auto-equipped 500C Abarth’s chassis is bolstered with efficiency-tuned anti-roll bars and dampers, oversize brakes, and large wheels and tires. The electrically boosted steering is rapid and manages to provide modest rivulets of tactility transmitted through the meaty, leather-wrapped steering wheel. At speed, the 500C feels stable and as planted as anything with just 90.6 inches amongst the front and rear axles can. The tiny fella does, nevertheless, bound enthusiastically over bumps, frost heaves, and expansion strips, so hang onto that double-half-decaf cappuccino.

A thick blanket of cold white stuff prevented us from performing our full testing regimen with the 500C Abarth, so no leading-speed or skidpad testing was attainable. But in the patch of tarmac we were able to scrape clean, brake testing had the 500C coming to a halt from 70 mph in 170 feet—similar to the 2013 Abarth cabrio’s 167 feet.

Amazingly, considering the minuscule Fiat’s huge tires and stiff suspension, not to mention the clear lack of steel in the roof, structural rigidity isn’t that bad. A single issue this schnauzer of a subcompact does not have is a undesirable case of the shakes.

The 500C’s revised-for-2015 interior is a riot of shapes and functions, and virtually no switchgear or buttons are positioned where you’d anticipate them to be if this have been, say, a Toyota. But it’s not a Toyota, and part of the exciting is peeling back the onion a tiny with each subsequent drive oh, there’s that switch I was searching for last month! Even though the rear seats are pooch perches at greatest, the fronts handle to be each comfy and supportive. Nonetheless, the tilt steering column can not telescope, which does not help extended-legged North Americans get dialed in behind the wheel. With no clutch pedal to deal with here, even though, that’s significantly less of a concern. The Fiat 500’s new, 6-inch color infotainment display assists clean up some of the dash clutter, but it sadly doesn’t consist of navigation. To get maps, you should opt for a tacked-on $ 600 TomTom unit with a tiny screen that sits atop the dash.

Ideas for Tops

In contrast, the ease of opening the “convertible” best is merely brilliant. It’s really just a rather large fabric sunroof, one that operates with surprising precision. When totally retracted to within a handful of inches of the trunk lid, it exposes nearly as considerably skin as a Hollywood ingénue on a red carpet. Press the roof button (you will do that twice going down and 3 occasions coming back up) and the canvaslike material accordions neatly as it rolls back in channels along the door tops—very slick and, at least for the duration of our watch, free of charge of wind noise and water leaks.

The only downside to opening the best is the ever-present exhaust sound—enhanced by Abarth to homeowner-association-demerit status—which drones on like a leaf-blowing lawn crew in your neighbor’s yard. It is the growl of the dog that does not bite.

But the almost inappropriate level of enthusiasm doesn’t matter. The 500C Abarth, even in slushbox kind, zips in and out of targeted traffic, is buckets of enjoyable around town, maneuvers like a border collie tending a herd of sheep, and parks wherever you want it to. Not only does the cabrio version let far more of the outside planet in, it also radiates far more of the Abarth attitude to the ionosphere.

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2014 Fiat 500 1957 Edition Very first Drive: Costumed Compact Drivery

1st Drive Assessment

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Retromobility for your retro-hipster cosplay party.

• MICHAEL SIMARI AND


• THE MANUFACTURER

Excellent news for those who like to arrive fashionably late to parties: The 1957 Edition of the Fiat 500 survives for the 2015 model year. Introduced for 2014 to commemorate, oddly adequate as it was, the 57th anniversary of the model that inspired its style, the commemoration carries on into year 58 because, nicely, Italians and clocks, correct?

With fellow Fiat-Chrysler divisions Maserati and Dodge celebrating centennials and Fiat’s own centennial in 1999 lengthy behind it, possibly Fiat didn’t want to feel left out. What ever the result in, it was already playing quickly and loose when it dreamed up the 1957 as a way to add however another particular-edition 500. When you are playing the style card, as exemplified by BMW’s Mini brand, you need to take benefit of each and every opportunity. Aside from the fashionable array of interior and exterior colors (your selection of Celeste [pastel blue], Verde Chiaro [light green], or Bianco [white]), 1957-style Fiat badges replacing the modern day ones, and 16-inch painted aluminum wheels made to look as old college as a black-and-white Audrey Hepburn flick on TCM, there’s not much else that modifications from the standard Cinquecento.

Harkening to a More Pastel Time

The tiny, quasi-original twenty-first century Fiat character auto traces its style inspiration to 1957 when Fiat rolled out the original 500—which was then known as the Nuova (New) 500 to distinguish it from the 1936–1955 Topolino. In the U.S., a ’57 reference fairly significantly gets you a Chevy—the be-finned conclusion to the tri-5 run of loved ones cars that created the modest-block V-8 popular. It may show up in say, turquoise or coral occupied by some infant-boomer retiree who nevertheless refers to herself as a “gal” wearing a poodle skirt. That ’57 Chevy driver’s millennial cohort, en route to the vintage clothes shop or the retro furniture store, might want the reliability and fuel economy of a spanking-new, child-blue Fiat.

What she’ll find at the Fiat shop, for a little far more jingle than the base cost on the a lot more effective 500 Turbo, is essentially the 500 in Lounge trim, except that on the 1957 Edition the leather package is normal. The dashboard is rendered in ivory and gray and contrasts nicely with the brown leather and its prominent ivory-colored stitching. The details are quite contemporary, with a lot of digital electronic displays and such, but rendered in retro style (for instance, the round “dials” flanking the radio-tuner face are truly buttons arrayed to appear like dials). And that white roof? The Mini is the obvious touchstone. These who’ve noticed the 1969 film The Italian Job will keep in mind that though Mini was the star, the Fiat 500s have been ubiquitous all through. As in the modern car market place, Mini is the star that shows the way, but Fiat can money in on retro, too.

Nevertheless, in spite of the robust fashion cues, the 1957 Edition drives like any other Fiat 500. It is roughly a 10-seconds-to-60-mph car, like our long-term 2012 Fiat Sport example. This specific auto had the 6-speed automatic transmission, so it was significantly less engaging to drive than the 5-speed manual version of the 1959 Edition that starts at $ 21,250, $ 1900 far more than a 500 Lounge. With its common sport-tuned suspension, the 1957 Edition is definitely nimbler and more entertaining to pilot than Fiat’s other car, the newer 500L crossover, a bloated, Serbian-built bus wearing the quantity and the face but with none of the charm. Nonetheless, we truly like saying “Cinquecento.”

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Retromobility for your retro-hipster cosplay party.

• MICHAEL SIMARI AND


• THE MANUFACTURER

Great news for those who like to arrive fashionably late to parties: The 1957 Edition of the Fiat 500 survives for the 2015 model year. Introduced for 2014 to commemorate, oddly enough as it was, the 57th anniversary of the model that inspired its style, the commemoration carries on into year 58 since, nicely, Italians and clocks, right?

With fellow Fiat-Chrysler divisions Maserati and Dodge celebrating centennials and Fiat’s personal centennial in 1999 extended behind it, maybe Fiat didn’t want to really feel left out. What ever the lead to, it was already playing quick and loose when it dreamed up the 1957 as a way to add but an additional particular-edition 500. When you’re playing the style card, as exemplified by BMW’s Mini brand, you need to take advantage of each opportunity. Aside from the stylish array of interior and exterior colors (your choice of Celeste [pastel blue], Verde Chiaro [light green], or Bianco [white]), 1957-style Fiat badges replacing the modern ones, and 16-inch painted aluminum wheels developed to appear as old college as a black-and-white Audrey Hepburn flick on TCM, there’s not significantly else that modifications from the normal Cinquecento.

Harkening to a Much more Pastel Time

The tiny, quasi-original twenty-1st century Fiat character car traces its style inspiration to 1957 when Fiat rolled out the original 500—which was then named the Nuova (New) 500 to distinguish it from the 1936–1955 Topolino. In the U.S., a ’57 reference quite much gets you a Chevy—the be-finned conclusion to the tri-5 run of household vehicles that made the little-block V-8 renowned. It may show up in say, turquoise or coral occupied by some child-boomer retiree who still refers to herself as a “gal” wearing a poodle skirt. That ’57 Chevy driver’s millennial cohort, en route to the vintage clothes shop or the retro furniture store, may want the reliability and fuel economy of a spanking-new, infant-blue Fiat.

What she’ll find at the Fiat shop, for a tiny more jingle than the base value on the more effective 500 Turbo, is basically the 500 in Lounge trim, except that on the 1957 Edition the leather package is standard. The dashboard is rendered in ivory and gray and contrasts nicely with the brown leather and its prominent ivory-colored stitching. The information are quite contemporary, with plenty of digital electronic displays and such, but rendered in retro style (for instance, the round “dials” flanking the radio-tuner face are in fact buttons arrayed to look like dials). And that white roof? The Mini is the clear touchstone. Those who’ve observed the 1969 movie The Italian Job will don’;t forget that though Mini was the star, the Fiat 500s had been ubiquitous all through. As in the modern day car marketplace, Mini is the star that shows the way, but Fiat can cash in on retro, too.

Still, in spite of the robust fashion cues, the 1957 Edition drives like any other Fiat 500. It is roughly a 10-seconds-to-60-mph vehicle, like our lengthy-term 2012 Fiat Sport example. This distinct automobile had the 6-speed automatic transmission, so it was less engaging to drive than the 5-speed manual version of the 1959 Edition that begins at $ 21,250, $ 1900 a lot more than a 500 Lounge. With its regular sport-tuned suspension, the 1957 Edition is undoubtedly nimbler and more entertaining to pilot than Fiat’s other auto, the newer 500L crossover, a bloated, Serbian-constructed bus wearing the quantity and the face but with none of the charm. Nevertheless, we really like saying “Cinquecento.”

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2014 Fiat 500 1957 Edition Very first Drive: Costumed Compact Drivery

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arrow

Retromobility for your retro-hipster cosplay celebration.

• MICHAEL SIMARI AND


• THE MANUFACTURER

Great news for these who like to arrive fashionably late to parties: The 1957 Edition of the Fiat 500 survives for the 2015 model year. Introduced for 2014 to commemorate, oddly sufficient as it was, the 57th anniversary of the model that inspired its design, the commemoration carries on into year 58 due to the fact, well, Italians and clocks, correct?

With fellow Fiat-Chrysler divisions Maserati and Dodge celebrating centennials and Fiat’s own centennial in 1999 long behind it, maybe Fiat didn’t want to really feel left out. What ever the lead to, it was already playing quick and loose when it dreamed up the 1957 as a way to add however another unique-edition 500. When you’re playing the style card, as exemplified by BMW’s Mini brand, you need to take benefit of every chance. Aside from the fashionable array of interior and exterior colors (your decision of Celeste [pastel blue], Verde Chiaro [light green], or Bianco [white]), 1957-style Fiat badges replacing the contemporary ones, and 16-inch painted aluminum wheels created to look as old college as a black-and-white Audrey Hepburn flick on TCM, there’s not significantly else that adjustments from the normal Cinquecento.

Harkening to a More Pastel Time

The tiny, quasi-original twenty-very first century Fiat character automobile traces its style inspiration to 1957 when Fiat rolled out the original 500—which was then called the Nuova (New) 500 to distinguish it from the 1936–1955 Topolino. In the U.S., a ’57 reference fairly significantly gets you a Chevy—the be-finned conclusion to the tri-5 run of family members vehicles that made the modest-block V-8 renowned. It may well show up in say, turquoise or coral occupied by some baby-boomer retiree who still refers to herself as a “gal” wearing a poodle skirt. That ’57 Chevy driver’s millennial cohort, en route to the vintage clothes shop or the retro furnishings store, may possibly want the reliability and fuel economy of a spanking-new, child-blue Fiat.

What she’ll uncover at the Fiat store, for a tiny more jingle than the base price tag on the far more strong 500 Turbo, is basically the 500 in Lounge trim, except that on the 1957 Edition the leather package is regular. The dashboard is rendered in ivory and gray and contrasts nicely with the brown leather and its prominent ivory-colored stitching. The particulars are very modern day, with lots of digital electronic displays and such, but rendered in retro style (for instance, the round “dials” flanking the radio-tuner face are truly buttons arrayed to appear like dials). And that white roof? The Mini is the apparent touchstone. Those who’ve noticed the 1969 film The Italian Job will keep in mind that though Mini was the star, the Fiat 500s were ubiquitous throughout. As in the modern day auto marketplace, Mini is the star that shows the way, but Fiat can cash in on retro, also.

Nonetheless, regardless of the sturdy style cues, the 1957 Edition drives like any other Fiat 500. It is roughly a 10-seconds-to-60-mph auto, like our extended-term 2012 Fiat Sport instance. This distinct car had the 6-speed automatic transmission, so it was less engaging to drive than the 5-speed manual version of the 1959 Edition that begins at $ 21,250, $ 1900 far more than a 500 Lounge. With its normal sport-tuned suspension, the 1957 Edition is surely nimbler and much more entertaining to pilot than Fiat’s other automobile, the newer 500L crossover, a bloated, Serbian-constructed bus wearing the number and the face but with none of the charm. Nevertheless, we actually like saying “Cinquecento.”

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Photos (18)

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2014 Fiat 500 1957 Edition 1st Drive: Costumed Compact Drivery