2017 FIAT Abarth 500C Cabrio

2017 FIAT Abarth 500C Cabrio

Test Drive

Written by Marco Carvajal

Photographs by Marco Carvajal

“Raw fury is beautifully shaped. Fast has a new form, as gorgeous as it is thrilling. Every piece of the FIAT® 500 Abarth is crafted for flat-out driving excitement. An aerodynamic shape slices the wind, and twin intakes feed the beast. It optimizes clutch operation for responsive driving characteristics.”

Introduction

The new FIAT 500 model has received its cute exterior shape and style with inspiration based in the spirit of the original Fiat model of the 50s, of the last century. The 500 is a very appealing car with a very unique retro style.

The 500 Abarth model is based on an Italian racing car founded by Italo-Austrian Carlo Abarth during the 50’s. Its logo is a shield with a stylized scorpion on a yellow and red background.

Fiat has decided to make a convertible top in retro style in the 500. Presented on spring 2009 at the Geneva motor show, the FIAT 500C, similar to the Fiat 500 of the 1957 model, it received a removable convertible roof made of soft material that gives the 500 a great look.

The 500 can accommodate 4 people

The 2017 FIAT Abarth 500C Cabrio, has a good level of vehicle safety and a good efficient level of fuel consumption. Therefore, the Fiat 500C can be described as a compact convenient and functional convertible, which can be operated daily and at any time of the year.

The premiere of the new open modification of the Abarth 500 took place in March 2010 at the Geneva Motor Show. The appearance of the hatchback Cabrio almost completely repeats the original version with a closed body: an aggressive bumper, wide skirts and large 16-inch wheels on low-profile rubber.

The 500 has a unique original look, the closest competitor cars with a similar size or look are the Mini Cooper, the Volkswagen Beetle and maybe the Ford Fiesta, but each car has its own unique style.

FIAT Motors History

In 2013, FIAT was named the second largest car maker in Europe and the seventh in the world. The company produces cars under the brands Abarth, Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Dodge, Ferrari, Fiat, Fiat Professional, Jeep, Lancia, Maserati, Ram Trucks and SRT. The brand is the market leader in Brazil, where the second largest plant is located after Italy.

The car manufacturer FIAT was created in Italy in 1899. FIAT in Italian means Fabbrica Italiana Automobili Torino. The company Fiat Automobiles S.P.A. is the largest car producer in Italy, it is a subsidiary of FCA Italy S.P.A., and since a few years ago it is part of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles.

Fiat has about 100 years of history in the US. In 1908, the Fiat Automobile company established an assembly plant in the U.S., to start producing FIAT in the U.S. a year later, starting production with the Fiat 60 HP and the Fiat 16-20 HP. However, the factory was shut down when the United States entered World War I in 1917. These first American Fiat cars, were created long before Chrysler, which was formed in 1925.

Then about 35 years later Fiat returned to North America in the 1950s, selling the original Fiat 500, Fiat 600 Multipla, Fiat 1100, Fiat 1200, and Fiat 1300. But at that time the sales where not as high as expected by Fiat and the company left the U.S. market again.

But Fiat had the return to the U.S. market on its plans and in January 2009, the Fiat Group acquired a 20% part of the US automaker Chrysler LLC.  Fiat returned to America but this time with the support of Chrysler, enabling Americans to enjoy Italian cars again. After this merge with Chrisler, the first Fiat brand model that appeared in the United States was the internationally popular Fiat 500, worshiped and blessed throughout the world, but not so popular in the U.S. as the brand didn’t have presence here for many years, however I feel that with a some time and marketing, Fiat is gaining more popularity among U.S. consumers, becoming more popular and unique. Especially those consumers who live in the U.S., but come from other countries are now able to enjoy the interesting Italian cars that Fiat is offering.

Price

2017 FIAT Abarth 500C Cabrio that I am testing is priced at 26,660 with optional equipment, but the base is just above the 21,000.  A nice price for a very cute an original car like the 500.

Exterior

Designed by the Fiat Style Center, the 2017 Fiat 500C is available in 3 versions Lounge and Rock and Abarth.

A folding top is an important detail of any convertible car. In the 2017 Fiat 500C model, it features an improved opening-closing mechanism with an electric drive. This solution has been carefully considered from both a technical and an aesthetic point of view: a glass rear window and a built-in optional central brake light are provided.

Thanks to the original roof folding system as a parallelogram, the trunk remains spacious and access to it is not difficult even with an open top.

Features

• 16 Inch x 6.5 Inch Aluminum Hyper-Black wheels
• 195/45R16XL Tires
• Nero (Black) Performance Soft Top
• Dual Bright Exhaust Tips
• Red Brake Calipers
• Fog Lamps
• Bi-Function Halogen Projector Headlamps
• Power Heated Mirrors
• Tinted Glass Windows
• Tire Service Kit (No Compact Spare)
  

  

  

  

Interior

The 2017 FIAT Abarth 500C interior decorated also corresponds to sports stylistic, the three-spoke steering wheel beveled at the base, armchairs with developed lateral support, and in the modification with “mechanics” the picture is complemented by a chrome-plated knob of the gearbox.  All trim sets are full of features and include 7 airbags, automatic climate control, parking sensors, Blue & Me system and light alloy wheels. In addition, the Rock version provides an elegant leather interior, a Hi-Fi system and a xenon headlamps.

Versions with automatic transmission lack the last hatch of decor, as the modes are changed by using buttons that take the place of the traditional accelerator lever.

Interior Features

• Premium 7-inch color auster Display
• Turbo Boost Gauge
• FIAT Premium Audio System
• Uconnect® 5.0
• 5.0 inch Touchscreen Display
• Integrated voice Command with Bluetooth®
• Media Hub (USB, Aux) in Center Console
• USB Port in Giovebox
• Power Windows with Front One-Touch-Down Feature
• Leather-wrapped Instrument Panel auster Brow
• 12-volt Auxiliary Power outlet in Center Console
• Perforated Leather-wrapped Seering wheel
• Steering wheel Mounted Audio Controls
• Tit Steering Column
• Leather-wrapped Shift Knob
• Aluminum Pedal Covers
• Driver Seat Memory
• Passenger Seat Memory
• Driver Seat Height Adjuster
• Rear 50/50 Split Fold-Down Seat
  

  

  

  

  

  

Functional & Safety Features

With the 2017 FIAT Abarth 500C compact convertible, safety comes with 7 standard front and side airbags.

• Abarth Track Experience
• Rear Park Assist
• Advanced Multistage Front Airbags
• Supplemental Front Seat-Mounted Side Airbags
• Supplemental Side curtain Front Airbags
• Driver Inflatable Knee-Bolster Airbag
• LATCH Ready Child Seat Anchor System
• Ant-Lock 4-Wheel Disc Performance Brakes
• Security Alarm
• 3 Mode Electronic Stability Control
• Torque Transfer Control
• Tire Specific Pressure Monitoring Display
• Hill Start Assist
• Remote Keyless Entry
• Speed Control
• High Performance Suspension

Safety and high-tech. Functionality and respect for the environment. All this makes the Fiat 500C a good option on the market.

Conclusion

The 2017 FIAT Abarth 500C is a very interesting re-make of the original Fiat 500 and Abarth models. The soft black convertible top gives the 500 a very beautiful and unique retro style that anybody would like. The 500 is so cute and appealing, most people can’t stop looking at its beautiful exterior shape. The interior is small, very compact, ideal for those who don’t need much space and want a company and easy to maneuver car. The trunk is also small, so it is not ideal for big families, or people in need of large cargo space.  Because of its compact size it is super easy to park and to fit on any parking space, easy to ride, and ideal if you live or visit a large city center.

In terms of pricing, starting around $21,000 is a great price for a cute convertible, and its fuel economy is also good with an average of 27 MPG. It will be difficult to find another stylish convertible with a similar price.

Average 160 horse power is very good for such a compact car, it can be fast and loud on the road.

The 500 is definitely worth trying and careful because you may fall in love with its unique style.