Body style: Hatchback
Segment: Compact
Production years: 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
Fiat relentlessly worked on its best-selling model, the 500, and improved it in any possible way it could, and that included a rag-top version for the punchy Abarth version.
Abarth was known for creating some of the most powerful and sporty versions of the Fiat. They were responsible for creating racing cars for the Italian automaker. In addition, it was also involved in upgrading Fiat production vehicles such as the Stilo or the Bravo. But then, the carmaker had a different idea: to involve it in the development of the 500 lineup, and the result was a pocket rocket that was available with either a hard roof or a retractable rag-top.
The Fiat 500C’s exterior didn’t have any Fiat badges on it, just those that showed the “Scorpione” (scorpion) one, specific for the Abarth brand. The regular front fascia of the Italian little car was transformed, and the lower bumper was replaced with one that featured a broad air intake on the lower side of the air dam. Also, there were the round fog lamps and, on the sides, a pair of decorative scoops. From its profile, the 500C boasted red calipers for both front and rear brake discs, plus redesigned side sills. The back of the car was also improved in terms of styling and received a new bumper with side vents and, underneath it, two oval exhausts integrated into the diffuser. Unlike the rest of the 500 range, the Abarth was available with a choice of 16” or 17” light-alloy wheels.
Inside, despite the car’s small size, the automaker found a way to provide enough room for the front occupants. Both the driver and their side passenger sat on high bolstered seats with tall seatbacks and integrated headrests. There were no significant changes in the instrument cluster, but Abarth added a tachometer mounted on the steering column. Other enhancements were visible on the flat-bottom steering wheel, which was decorated with the same “Scorpione” badge as the vehicle’s exterior. On the center console, the 500C featured the gear stick, which Abarth adorned with a new gear knob with red markings. In front of the passenger, the automaker placed the 500C lettering on the dash panel, which sported the same color as the car’s exterior. In the back, there was hardly room for passengers, although, with the roof retracted behind it, it was slightly better.
Under the hood, Abarth added a turbocharger to the 1.4-liter engine of the vehicle and raised its power to 160 hp (162 PS), which helped the little vehicle have a zero-to-sixty run in less than eight seconds. In addition, thanks to the stiffer suspension and improved brakes, the Fiat 500 Abarth was transformed into a pocket rocket.
ENGINE SPECS - 1.4L Turbo T-JET 5AT (134 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | L4 |
Displacement: | 1368 cm3 |
Power: | 99 KW @ 5500 RPM 135 HP @ 5500 RPM 133 BHP @ 5500 RPM |
Torque: | 152 lb-ft @ 2000 RPM 206 Nm @ 2000 RPM |
Fuel System: | Turbocharged Direct Injection |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
Fuel capacity: | 88.5 gallons (335.0 L) |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 130 mph (209 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 7.6 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | Front Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 5-speed automatic |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Ventilated Discs 284 X 22 MM |
Rear: | Discs 240 MM X 11 MM |
TIRES SPECS | |
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Tire Size: | 195/45 R16 |
DIMENSIONS | |
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Length: | 139.6 in (3546 mm) |
Width: | 64.1 in (1628 mm) |
Height: | 58.3 in (1481 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 55.7/55.4 in (1,415/1,407 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 90.6 in (2301 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 4.1 in (104 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 6.4 cuFT (181 L) |
Aerodynamics (Cd): | 0.36 |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 2557 lbs (1160 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 3175 lbs (1440 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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City: | 28 mpg US (8.4 L/100Km) |
Highway: | 44.4 mpg US (5.3 L/100Km) |
Combined: | 36.8 mpg US (6.4 L/100Km) |
CO2 Emissions: | 150 g/km |
ENGINE SPECS - 1.4L Turbo T-JET 5MT (134 HP) | |
---|---|
Cylinders: | L4 |
Displacement: | 1368 cm3 |
Power: | 99 KW @ 5500 RPM 135 HP @ 5500 RPM 133 BHP @ 5500 RPM |
Torque: | 152 lb-ft @ 2000 RPM 206 Nm @ 2000 RPM |
Fuel System: | Turbocharged Direct Injection |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
Fuel capacity: | 9.2 gallons (34.8 L) |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 127 mph (204 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 7.9 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
---|---|
Drive Type: | Front Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 5-speed manual |
BRAKES SPECS | |
---|---|
Front: | Ventilated Discs 284 X 22 MM |
Rear: | Discs 240 MM X 11 MM |
TIRES SPECS | |
---|---|
Tire Size: | 195/45 R16 |
DIMENSIONS | |
---|---|
Length: | 139.6 in (3546 mm) |
Width: | 64.1 in (1628 mm) |
Height: | 58.3 in (1481 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 55.7/55.4 in (1,415/1,407 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 90.6 in (2301 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 4.1 in (104 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 6.4 cuFT (181 L) |
Aerodynamics (Cd): | 0.36 |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
---|---|
Unladen Weight: | 2535 lbs (1150 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 3153 lbs (1430 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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City: | 27.7 mpg US (8.5 L/100Km) |
Highway: | 43.6 mpg US (5.4 L/100Km) |
Combined: | 36.2 mpg US (6.5 L/100Km) |
CO2 Emissions: | 155 g/km |