It seems like an obvious combination - the
Fiat 500C's cabriolet body with the engine and other parts of the
Abarth 500. The two elements come together at the
Geneva Motor Show. The Abarth 500C also gets the option of two-tone paint and a standard electro-hydraulically actuated gearbox.
The engine is the same 1.4-litre, 135bhp, turbocharged unit used in the Abarth 500 hatchback. There is a slight performance penalty for choosing the open car; the claimed 0-62mph time is 8.1 seconds with a top speed of 127mph (7.9 seconds and 128mph for the hatch). Despite this there is apparently no extra cost at the petrol pumps with combined cycle fuel consumption of 43.5mpg.
Standard on the Abarth 500C is the 'ABARTH Competizione' automated manual gearbox. With six speeds and the choice of automatic or manual modes - and a Sport setting for faster shifts - it can be controlled with steering wheel mounted paddles.
Cosmetic changes include the availability of two new paint schemes; black with race white or two-tone dark grey over light grey. A coloured graphic runs around the body to mark the division between the two colours. The convertible roof can be specified in either black or titanium grey. Customers can also choose between the standard 16-inch alloy wheels or a new design of 17-inch rims with 205/40 tyres.
Expect the Abarth 500C to go on sale in the next few months - just in time for the summer.
John Lambert - 25 Feb 2010