Insurance Group: 26
MPG: 43.5
CO2: 155
0-62 Mph: 7.9 secs
BHP: 135 BHP
Range: 335 miles
PROS: A high top speed and fast acceleration make this 500 extremely fun to drive. The additional trim makes it stand out from the standard 500 and the petrol engine is both powerful and economical.
CONS: It is considerably more expensive, both to own and run, than other models in the 500 range and although it is significantly faster than other 500s, many motorists are likely to plump for the cheaper models.
With 135 bhp at 5500 rpm and torque figures of 152 lb-ft at 3000 rpm, the Abarth packs a lot of punch for a car of its size. 0-62mph takes place in just 7.9 seconds – over 2.5 seconds faster than the next fastest 500.
The 500 Abarth is a hoot to drive, offering plenty of grip. The suspension is harder than in the standard 500 so bumps are more likely to be felt, however the stiffer springs also reduce body roll.
The 500 is a fantastic looking car and the Abarth slogans painted along the car's flanks improve the Abarth's appearance further.
Even at the basic trim level, the 500 comes with power steering, central locking, electric door mirrors, electric front windows, an immobiliser and an advanced stereo system with MP3 connectivity as standard.
However, the 1.4 Abarth benefits from a higher trim level and this gives drivers a number of additional luxuries. Stability control, alloy wheels, air conditioning and Bluetooth connectivity become standard features whilst others, such as climate control, will still incur an additional fee. Leather seats cost an additional £817 while metallic paint will set you back £383.
The boot is small at just 185 litres with the rear seats up, with 550-litres on offer when the rear seats are folded flat. Space in the back is a bit cramped but this is to be expected in a car as small as the little 500.
Driver, passenger and front side airbags are provided as standard features, as is stability control. The 500 scored a top five star rating in the NCAP crash tests
A three year warranty for 60,000 miles is provided but 500 owners have reported few technical problems and the 500 appears to be a very reliable car.
Priced at £14,462 the 500 1.4 Abarth is the perfect example of a high performance car which doesn’t cost the earth.
Running costs are significantly higher than in the other 500 models in the range, with the Abarth returning just 43.5mpg on the combined cycle and producing 155g/km of CO2, putting it in VED band G.
The running costs are still pretty reasonable in the grand scheme of things and it's a small sacrifice to pay extra for a car as fun to drive as the Abarth. The car should also hold its value well, with the 500's desirability keeping residual values strong.
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