Beautiful Car. My wife just got hers and we added the Straight Exhaust Upgrade Option straight from the FIAT dealership. Car drives and sounds amazing.
I cant recommend this little car enough. I've had one a year, it always puts a smile on my face, and I still glance back when I'm walking away from it!
+Winding Road Magazine Did you notice any difference between driving the cabrio and the hatchback? I heard somewhere that the cabrio is "toned back" a little, but I haven't really asked anyone who's driven both. I have a cabrio, love it, just wondering if there is any difference.
Depends on what you are going to need it for. ST is obviously a lot more practical, but if you don't have a family and want a fun weekend car, this thing looks like fun.
Hey Italyfans! There used to be even hotter Fiats in the 90's.. Shame you didn't get those! I guess you can import them nowadays? My Fiat Coupe 20V Turbo from '98, it had 220hp IN STD FORM! Today it's around 340hp and still running great without any major hickups. Look for "Fiat Coupe" and "Nordschleife 2010" and you'll find me nailing 8.38 BTG, happy lap..!
Actually we can, because part of what makes Ferrari's Ferrari's is that they are a great experience to drive. Among compact sports cars, the Abarth emphasizes driver feeling and driver experience a lot more and succeeds.
I agree completely. Winding Roads in Michigan are few and far between, or as you put it, geographically impractical. The next best thing is a freeway on ramp :/
I never took this car seriously until Jalopnik called it one of the most hoon-able cars on the market. You hoon to the grocery store. You hoon to pick up the kids. You hoon to the post office. You hoon for the sake hoonage. I wouldn't ever own one, but for the money it is one of the most fun cars one can buy.
Always, always, always show the startup sequence from inside the car. Many of us want to see this. It's essential. LOL (As always, thanks for the interesting video.)
I have an Abarth and they do sound awesome. It's quick enough (it's no ST) but super fun. If you are lucky enough to have a Monza exhaust system (4 pipes) it sounds even grizzlier :D
Last time I checked this car does 0 to 60 in 6.7sec so that's not slow. Also both this and the mini are great cars. The mini is faster but doesn't have some of the thrills the fiat has such as the exhaust sound.
This was very well done. Coincidentally, this is the exact color combination that I am thinking of if I get a FIAT 500 Abarth (red with white wheels and white mirror caps). I have a question. What kind of camera was used to shoot the driver's point of view shots, where was the camera mounted and how was it attached?
I had a new one of these in 2012. Great fun but got rid cos it was too tiring on long journeys with the stiff suspension and only 5 gears. I've now got the new 105 bhp twinair, which is much more comfortable and has 6 gears.
I think the real question about handling is whether or not it rotates like the Cooper S, and (since it probably doesn't), if you add a rear sway such that it does rotate like a Cooper S, does it become twitchy on the limit?
I just wondering - if you can tell me, what kind of camera do you use? I mean the first part, where you are recording the car from outside. Great video, by the way.
I know the general idea most people have about Fiat's, is that they aren't hat reliable. I can safely say that so far, mine has not put a foot wrong.Take a standard 500 for a test drive, and see how much fun it is. Then take the abarth out, and that will make your decision, so much easier!
I like the Fiat 500 Abarth. But I just can't get over the tall and narrow stance. Why so tall and narrow? It looks dowdy. I've also read that it feels like you're sitting on a bar stool when cornering because the seating position in unnaturally high. It's a capable handler but that sounds unsettling. +1 for the exhaust note though... a la SRT-4.
I have the 2014 Abarth took about a week to get use to but after that it's just fun as hell and I get way better gas mileage than I got in my turbocharged BMW Mini, the Mini has a slight edge in handling but over all this is a better buy for me 6000 less than the mini enough said and it sounds and feels great.
Better MPG due to less power. Abarth has 170 hp vs 188hp in MINI Cooper S. 0-60 mph in 7.0 seconds vs 6.3 sec. I average 30.4 mpg in mixed driving. But I won't argue with you, the Abarth is a great car in it's own right. I'll never disparage a turbocharged hatchback with great handling and sound.
Ian Clancy the option for a performance chip is also available too to match the Mini Cooper S. That is what I had installed during the 2nd week of owning it and now my fuel economy matches the base model 500 and hp and torque matches Mini
Dude just put a aftermarket rear torsion bar on the abarth i feel that i can go as fast as i want around any corner cool thing is that theres 0 body roll whatsoever
Please make a video of this car (and other cars you drive) where you actually start and end on a "Winding Road", unless it's geographically impractical for you. I think enthusiast drivers would appreciate seeing and hearing how your samples manage the twisty bits more so than the straight lines. I also think they are the ones who come to look at Winding Road videos more so than those who just want to get from point-A to point-B. Just my two cents. No offense
I wish it was cheaper as well, and I think the best comparison with "fun-ness" to drive would be with the FRS. Honestly, the highest performance model of a lesser car is almost always much more fun to drive then the lowest performance model of a higher car (in this case a V6 mustang and WRX). I mean just listen to that exhaust note, nothing I know of in America has a better exhaust note under 50 grand.
Actually I prefer much more the Abarth Grande Punto which is almost like mine which is a Sport version with a Turbocharged 1.4L, 4 cyl 120 HP - 205Nm andjust 1100 Kgs of body weight.
Hey, did you guys use the camera sunglasses to film this ? I'm considering buying them for myself and wanted to know the brand you used if possible....
Winding Road Magazine Holy !.....those are ski goggles :) Thank you for a quick response, I really appreciate it. I got one more question if you don't mind.... Was this recorded in 1080p or 720p originally ?
Winding Road Magazine Ohh it was 720p only, good. I have a Polaroid XS100 for 1080p records, GoPro is too bulky for me. Anyway, once again thank you for the quick response.
I wish this car was about 4k cheaper. The only problem I have is that it competes at a relatively close price to a FRS, V6 Mustang, and WRX. Its roughly 2k cheaper. However thats not a huge difference.
DriftBandit 96 Because he keeps gas pedal on while clutching, making high revving which causes the clutch disk heat and high friction as soon as the clutch disk come in contact. Once the disk is burned it slips all the time.
DriftBandit 96 It's not something you would watch him do, it's something you would hear him do. Sometimes, when he's depressing the clutch after shifting gears, you can hear him apply pressure to the gas a little earlier than he should.
So you prefer cars that drive themselves? The only motion needed is with your right hand to shift and your over inflated head to look left and right to see who is looking at you? These little cars work both your hands, feet, and keep your head pointed forwards. This is "driving". Pssst!
Just don't have an accident in it. I t-boned a guy who made a u-turn in front of me. The seat belt failed and my chest was crushed against the steering wheel. Long recovery. $14,733 dollars in damage and two months for repair. Fiat refused to talk to me about it.
I remember working at an Audi dealer in the 1980's and a client bitching about the huge A pillars on an Audi 4000S 5 cylinder, automatic, HAW this chassis makes those seem small I want an Abarth 500, and my garage queen is an 1983 URQ, her A pillars look like my fore arms, yep skinny compared to this, which would be my thighs, well not really
Update, the 105 twinair was garbage, got rid after 6 months! Something wrong with ECU i think, power delivery all wrong, plus suspension and handling was just not good. It was comfy, thats the best bit, comfy ride but got the new 2015 version Abarth now which is vastly improved in all areas over the last model. Wise choice.
the first time when I was riding with my friends aunts with That kind of car I got a little scared in the back SEAT cuz I was afraid were gonna crash but No ._.
Actually, here's easier proof, click on my channel the first video shows me walking out to my motorcycle, and it shows my turboed Ford Focus, SRT-4 ACR, and Corette in the driveway. So you were saying?
Before you try and compare a 160hp, 16k car any more to an exotic super car, perhaps you should drive a Ferrari. Then, come back and tell us how similar experience with the 400-700+hp Ferrari is compared to the Abarth.
You have the reading comprehension of a highschool dropout. I said I prefer a car that handles well, so that it goes where YOU tell it to go, and it doesn't jitter and crash over bumps and get upset mid-corner and start plowing when it should be turning. I also have nothing against little cars, and the Focus ST is not that much bigger. I also have a 2004 Dodge Dart SRT-4 ACR as a daily-driver beater, also considered reasonably small. Twist beam rear axle suspensions just don't do well.
![2009 Abarth 500 196,789KM REVIEW on AUTOBAHN [NO SPEED LIMIT] by AutoTopNL](/img/n.gif)
Beautiful Car. My wife just got hers and we added the Straight Exhaust Upgrade Option straight from the FIAT dealership. Car drives and sounds amazing.
doesnt it already come with straight exhaust?
Someone got hosed lol.
Brodey Dover
YUP! quite sad.
Responding late: I meant the Y-Pipe upgrade when I said straight exhaust. Sounds deeper and much more sporty.
I cant recommend this little car enough. I've had one a year, it always puts a smile on my face, and I still glance back when I'm walking away from it!
Also check out our review on the 2013 Fiat 500C Abarth Cabrio: ua-cam.com/video/Ilj9cI9jbuE/v-deo.html
+Winding Road Magazine Did you notice any difference between driving the cabrio and the hatchback? I heard somewhere that the cabrio is "toned back" a little, but I haven't really asked anyone who's driven both. I have a cabrio, love it, just wondering if there is any difference.
That exhaust note though *.* sounds amazing
It sounds like a truck
Ethan Dang not even
SoLegitIQuit Lol u deaf?
I love how this winding road is composed primarily out of straightaways
saw one of these start up a few days ago and was blown away with the exhaust note
Depends on what you are going to need it for. ST is obviously a lot more practical, but if you don't have a family and want a fun weekend car, this thing looks like fun.
I love your videos and reviews, it tells me everything I need to know about the vehicle, without all the senseless opinions. Fantastic!
Hey Italyfans! There used to be even hotter Fiats in the 90's.. Shame you didn't get those! I guess you can import them nowadays?
My Fiat Coupe 20V Turbo from '98, it had 220hp IN STD FORM! Today it's around 340hp and still running great without any major hickups. Look for "Fiat Coupe" and "Nordschleife 2010" and you'll find me nailing 8.38 BTG, happy lap..!
My dad has one of these. Its a fun little car. Not for daily driving for me because im 6'1. But when i take it out for a spin i always have a blast.
Actually we can, because part of what makes Ferrari's Ferrari's is that they are a great experience to drive. Among compact sports cars, the Abarth emphasizes driver feeling and driver experience a lot more and succeeds.
I agree completely. Winding Roads in Michigan are few and far between, or as you put it, geographically impractical. The next best thing is a freeway on ramp :/
Nah. Lots of curves in my area of Branch/Hillsdale
Had mine 5 years, it has a race exhaust that makes a Mustang sound like a kettle boiling! Best car ever!
I never want anything sound like mustang..specially a car like this
I never took this car seriously until Jalopnik called it one of the most hoon-able cars on the market. You hoon to the grocery store. You hoon to pick up the kids. You hoon to the post office. You hoon for the sake hoonage. I wouldn't ever own one, but for the money it is one of the most fun cars one can buy.
Amazing to see that this Abarth now arrived to US and is sold out, I'm driving it since 4 years here in Swiss, looking forward for my next car...
Always, always, always show the startup sequence from inside the car. Many of us want to see this. It's essential. LOL (As always, thanks for the interesting video.)
just like the srt-4 neon! I swear these arbarths are mini neon srt-4 which is a great thing!
I'm in love with your Abarth. I have a 2012 500Sport. Same color as yours but with black accents instead of white. My seats are black and red leather.
I have an Abarth and they do sound awesome. It's quick enough (it's no ST) but super fun. If you are lucky enough to have a Monza exhaust system (4 pipes) it sounds even grizzlier :D
Who’s watching this in 2021? Anyone? Cuz I am.
Last time I checked this car does 0 to 60 in 6.7sec so that's not slow. Also both this and the mini are great cars. The mini is faster but doesn't have some of the thrills the fiat has such as the exhaust sound.
This was very well done.
Coincidentally, this is the exact color combination that I am thinking of if I get a FIAT 500 Abarth (red with white wheels and white mirror caps).
I have a question. What kind of camera was used to shoot the driver's point of view shots, where was the camera mounted and how was it attached?
I had a new one of these in 2012. Great fun but got rid cos it was too tiring on long journeys with the stiff suspension and only 5 gears. I've now got the new 105 bhp twinair, which is much more comfortable and has 6 gears.
Breathtaking!
Yes! Thank you for posting it!
I think the real question about handling is whether or not it rotates like the Cooper S, and (since it probably doesn't), if you add a rear sway such that it does rotate like a Cooper S, does it become twitchy on the limit?
Sounds exactly like a neon SRT4 with 3" turbo-back exhaust.
I just wondering - if you can tell me, what kind of camera do you use? I mean the first part, where you are recording the car from outside.
Great video, by the way.
I know the general idea most people have about Fiat's, is that they aren't hat reliable. I can safely say that so far, mine has not put a foot wrong.Take a standard 500 for a test drive, and see how much fun it is. Then take the abarth out, and that will make your decision, so much easier!
yes,the Mille Miglia tuning is incredible!!!
The exhaust note is amazing :O
That is stock. The Abarth's don't have mufflers.. straight thru exhaust from the factory. It's delightful :)
Sweet video WR. Thanks.
Great Video!
I like the Fiat 500 Abarth. But I just can't get over the tall and narrow stance. Why so tall and narrow? It looks dowdy. I've also read that it feels like you're sitting on a bar stool when cornering because the seating position in unnaturally high. It's a capable handler but that sounds unsettling. +1 for the exhaust note though... a la SRT-4.
I have the 2014 Abarth took about a week to get use to but after that it's just fun as hell and I get way better gas mileage than I got in my turbocharged BMW Mini, the Mini has a slight edge in handling but over all this is a better buy for me 6000 less than the mini enough said and it sounds and feels great.
Better MPG due to less power. Abarth has 170 hp vs 188hp in MINI Cooper S. 0-60 mph in 7.0 seconds vs 6.3 sec. I average 30.4 mpg in mixed driving.
But I won't argue with you, the Abarth is a great car in it's own right. I'll never disparage a turbocharged hatchback with great handling and sound.
Ian Clancy the option for a performance chip is also available too to match the Mini Cooper S. That is what I had installed during the 2nd week of owning it and now my fuel economy matches the base model 500 and hp and torque matches Mini
That's sweet !
Dude just put a aftermarket rear torsion bar on the abarth i feel that i can go as fast as i want around any corner cool thing is that theres 0 body roll whatsoever
Nice to see these luttle cars in the States!
Please make a video of this car (and other cars you drive) where you actually start and end on a "Winding Road", unless it's geographically impractical for you. I think enthusiast drivers would appreciate seeing and hearing how your samples manage the twisty bits more so than the straight lines. I also think they are the ones who come to look at Winding Road videos more so than those who just want to get from point-A to point-B. Just my two cents. No offense
@ windingroadmagazine which is more fun to drive, this fiat 500 abarth or mini cooper s coupe you drove earlier ?
ill buy mine next june ! cant wait !!!!!
You should do a Fiat 500 Abarth vs. Mini Cooper JCW POV video.
Mini Cooper S*
I want one as a daily driver!
man those things sound amazing
so fun to drive. looks great on the inside as well. get one while you can. :-)
I wish it was cheaper as well, and I think the best comparison with "fun-ness" to drive would be with the FRS. Honestly, the highest performance model of a lesser car is almost always much more fun to drive then the lowest performance model of a higher car (in this case a V6 mustang and WRX).
I mean just listen to that exhaust note, nothing I know of in America has a better exhaust note under 50 grand.
Actually I prefer much more the Abarth Grande Punto which is almost like mine which is a Sport version with a Turbocharged 1.4L, 4 cyl 120 HP - 205Nm andjust 1100 Kgs of body weight.
Hey, did you guys use the camera sunglasses to film this ?
I'm considering buying them for myself and wanted to know the brand you used if possible....
g00dl00kinb0i Actually, we used these: store.windingroad.com/liquid-image-co-torque-series-1080p-hd-powersports-goggle-cam-no-wifi-p346.aspx
Winding Road Magazine Holy !.....those are ski goggles :)
Thank you for a quick response, I really appreciate it.
I got one more question if you don't mind....
Was this recorded in 1080p or 720p originally ?
g00dl00kinb0i 720p - but right now we're actually using GoPros to film our latest videos in 1080p!
Winding Road Magazine Ohh it was 720p only, good.
I have a Polaroid XS100 for 1080p records, GoPro is too bulky for me.
Anyway, once again thank you for the quick response.
I wish this car was about 4k cheaper. The only problem I have is that it competes at a relatively close price to a FRS, V6 Mustang, and WRX. Its roughly 2k cheaper. However thats not a huge difference.
hey Spacepod :D you should do a video and let us all know the pros and cons :D and the experience of owning an Abarth :D :)
the decision is just one...the Scorpion is back!!!
Arg cant decide between this or a Focus ST
I have dreams about this car. I need to make my dreams a reality somehow.
I eventually made mine happen a couple of months ago. I still can’t wipe the smile off my face, most fun I’ve had behind the wheel of a car by far
He sure is burning the clutch quickly while shifting.
How ?
DriftBandit 96 Because he keeps gas pedal on while clutching, making high revving which causes the clutch disk heat and high friction as soon as the clutch disk come in contact. Once the disk is burned it slips all the time.
Ben Moran I was watching the gauge almost positive he wasn't even touch ing the clutch
You mean he is not touching the clutch when shifting?
DriftBandit 96 It's not something you would watch him do, it's something you would hear him do. Sometimes, when he's depressing the clutch after shifting gears, you can hear him apply pressure to the gas a little earlier than he should.
Stock exhaust?
Nice exhaust note. Even at idle
What was that yellow blinking light in the speedometer???
it doesnt actually blink, it is an effect due to it being filmed, just like computer screens
I see. Thanks. Love the car
tootsiejoon
so do I!
Wow this is like the male version of the Fiat! Another thing i like it sounds like my truck lol but in miniature size. want it
Thats not the stock exhaust or is it 0_o
Love it...nice engine ROAR, VERY COOL!
i really dont know what is so magical about this car.. but it hit me and i want it real hard, and i'm gonna buy that shit!♥♥♥
So you prefer cars that drive themselves? The only motion needed is with your right hand to shift and your over inflated head to look left and right to see who is looking at you?
These little cars work both your hands, feet, and keep your head pointed forwards. This is "driving".
Pssst!
Your launch at 5:50... not the best.
Would love to try this car.
Is it stock?
Wow I love this car is perfect. ..
This little car is very very pretty and much good interior rifiniture.. for the city is perfect.. boys only 1.4 liter turbo smal beauty engine
Love it!
Just don't have an accident in it. I t-boned a guy who made a u-turn in front of me. The seat belt failed and my chest was crushed against the steering wheel. Long recovery. $14,733 dollars in damage and two months for repair. Fiat refused to talk to me about it.
Super fun car!
but you also have to pay premium gas not regular. so more expensive
thank you
oh me gods looks like so much fun to drive
I remember working at an Audi dealer in the 1980's and a client bitching about the huge A pillars on an Audi 4000S 5 cylinder, automatic, HAW this chassis makes those seem small I want an Abarth 500, and my garage queen is an 1983 URQ, her A pillars look like my fore arms, yep skinny compared to this, which would be my thighs, well not really
Update, the 105 twinair was garbage, got rid after 6 months! Something wrong with ECU i think, power delivery all wrong, plus suspension and handling was just not good. It was comfy, thats the best bit, comfy ride but got the new 2015 version Abarth now which is vastly improved in all areas over the last model. Wise choice.
the first time when I was riding with my friends aunts with That kind of car I got a little scared in the back SEAT cuz I was afraid were gonna crash but No ._.
Actually, here's easier proof, click on my channel the first video shows me walking out to my motorcycle, and it shows my turboed Ford Focus, SRT-4 ACR, and Corette in the driveway.
So you were saying?
A great sounding car.
Not even. We might as well compare the Chevy sonic as a baby ZR1.
This video was made 2012 but the car was made 2013 how does that make sense?
New model year usually start at previous calendar year. 2013 models are available at Fall of 2012. Hope this help...
I want one of these cars so bad =/ being unemployed sucks!
a dreamcar
This guy is a part time driver!
Abarth ss?
It has no muffler that's why lol. But when would diesels sound like that?
How the hell you drive
Hello everyone. Look at my channel selection of accident from Russia.
What do you mean?
Awesome car!
is that a diesel thats why it sounds like that? or is the fiat just super sexy now?
Before you try and compare a 160hp, 16k car any more to an exotic super car, perhaps you should drive a Ferrari. Then, come back and tell us how similar experience with the 400-700+hp Ferrari is compared to the Abarth.
You know how I know you're lying? A 2004 Dodge Dart SRT-4 ACR does not exist. A Dodge Neon SRT-4 ACR doesn't exist, either.
just wait for the depreciation :)
fiandola haha, man you called it 👏🏼
@@EricJensenMusic I mean a clean, relatively low mileage Abarth still goes for $12-15k USD. That's not terrible for a car that was $26k fully loaded.
nice car
Best bang for your buck
stock for USA, in italy is different
Fiat owns ferrari, it has the same heart and soul
focus st all the way, no question
QUIERO UN FIAT 500 AHORA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Same here. Totally impractical for me, but.....
You have the reading comprehension of a highschool dropout.
I said I prefer a car that handles well, so that it goes where YOU tell it to go, and it doesn't jitter and crash over bumps and get upset mid-corner and start plowing when it should be turning.
I also have nothing against little cars, and the Focus ST is not that much bigger. I also have a 2004 Dodge Dart SRT-4 ACR as a daily-driver beater, also considered reasonably small.
Twist beam rear axle suspensions just don't do well.
You kidding me? Try West Texas...
Wow that engine really sounds like a diesel!!!!
bellissima
Nice car, but unfortunately definitely very over-priced!!!