Seeing this particular Fiat 500 reminds us that if Chrysler's survival weren't on the line, perhaps we wouldn't all be so eager for the Cinquecento to get to our shores.
Fiat claims this car was developed in cooperation with Ferrari (though it carries the Abarth tuner badge). The Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari is supposed to offer Ferrari customers "a small but exciting car" and "practical urban mobility."
But it's hard to imagine a Ferrari customer so worried about urban mobility that he's ready to climb into a front-wheel-drive subcompact to get his kicks. Particularly one that looks like it's trying to be a Ferrari...
Mind you, the 695 Tributo Ferrai should scoot along nicely for a subcompact, with its turbocharged, 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine rated at "over 180 hp." A dual-mode, variable-back pressure exhaust system should provide some soundtrack variation as you're revving the dickens out of it. A automated manual transmission with paddle shifters is standard; Fiat doesn't specific the clutch count so we'd guess it's a single-clutch gearbox. The wheels and tires are 17s.
A Brembo brake system is fitted, and Fiat says the front rotors are 11.2 inches in diameter with 4-piston fixed calipers. Overkill, anyone?
2009 Frankfurt Auto Show Preview: Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari
estreka says:
04:58 PM, 09/ 9/09
Overkill? That looks like fun!
cz75 says:
07:59 PM, 09/ 9/09
I'd rather have the MiTo Quadrifoglio.
firstwagon says:
08:23 PM, 09/ 9/09
Marketed right, Chrysler could have a huge hit with the upcoming line of Fiats and Alfas.
North American is sadly lacking in cars with character these days.
mito says:
08:53 PM, 09/ 9/09
That is what I call a pocket rocket Mini Terminator. I would like to see some track numbers! With all the extras price tag maybe around 30k?
inlinesix says:
08:56 PM, 09/ 9/09
Overkill is good. In many cases.
This looks like it would be a tossable little rig. 180hp+ should be plenty exciting in a little Fiat.
tryan says:
07:53 AM, 09/10/09
While I sincerely doubt that a Ferrari customer would buy into this, it's still a cool exercise. Lots of power (relatively) in a small package? Sounds like a familiar and successful theme...
jkp1187 says:
08:15 AM, 09/10/09
To hell with Chrysler. Let that money pit die. This Abarth should come over and be sold on its own merits, though.