Fiat 500C review (03/10/2012)
Although the car is not yet available in Ireland, the Abarth 500C will be introduced here as soon as market conditions improve, Fiat say, and the cost will be approximately 27,000, which is a lot for a micro-mini — even one that is truly bonkers.
But we like ‘bonkers’ in these quarters, and the cabriolet version of the Abarth 500 certainly fits the bill, but, despite all the madness within this diminutive package, this car simply oozes charm and character. It is something any genuine petrolhead will find an immediate emotional attachment.
Not being a big cabriolet fan, I would opt for the regular Abarth version of the 500 if I were in the market for a truly hot micro-mini, but the sliding roof will add to the appeal of the car for many punters.
As tested, the Abarth 500C was unmistakable in its heritage: the legendary Abarth ‘Scorpion’ insignia was everywhere, from the front wings to the steering wheel and many points in between. The Abarth 500C is powered by a 1,368cc four-cylinder in-line engine with an IHI-fixed geometry turbocharger. Output is 135 bhp, at 5,500 revs, with a healthy 200 Nm of torque available from just 2,000 revs.
The result is a top speed of 205 kph, and a 0-100 kph time of 7.9 seconds which, believe me, makes for a very exciting and engaging driving prospect. Power delivery is reasonably linear, even for a turbo, and it is not a machine that will unreasonably bite you when you’re least expecting it. It is fast, but pleasingly so.
All that would be of nothing if the suspension was not proper, and, without doubt, the Abarth’s is, thanks to the MacPherson strut and anti-roll bar design at the front, and a torsion beam with coil over struts and an anti-roll bar system at the back.
Stopping power is important in a machine of this order, and, again, the tuner has done the trick with discs all around — ventilated at the front — and floating calipers at both ends. Under heavy braking the rear end may get light — remember the old Peugeot 205 GTi 1.9, anyone? — but if you’ve got decent reflexes and a seat-of-the-pants feel for a car, then this won’t trouble you unduly. It is worth noting before you start, though.
The car does ‘bark’. Not quite like a dog, for sure, but it ‘barks’ nonetheless. This is down to the optional, highly tuned Record Monza exhaust system (which costs an extra 1,000). This makes the car come over all Jack Russell-like when you’re changing up through the gears. Every time you make a shift, there is a very audible ‘woof’, which adds greatly to the joy of driving.
The Abarth 500C is best suited to smooth roads, as the ride gets crashy on anything else, but otherwise the ride is good and the handling pin sharp. Although the cost of the car has not yet been finalised for the Irish market, the test car had 3,000 in options, including metallic paint, climate control and brilliant Sabelt racing seats with side airbags (1,200 extra), so it was fully tweaked to fulfil the wettest dreams of any motoring fantasist.
The ragtop roof is easy to use and the one quibble is that the boot only opens a couple of inches when the roof is fully down. The boot is tiny — just about taking the weekly shop — although it can be extended by utilising the split rear seats.
The Abarth 500C might be completely bonkers, but it is a real joy to look at — some of the styling tweaks are outré — not to mention to drive. It is a car with which, if you have an ounce of motoring fervour in your veins, you will immediately fall in love. Sure, it might be flawed in some areas but, like a bold child, these characteristics will be overlooked because of the certainty of the love involved. Even if you never intend buying one of these things, I would urge you to at least try one, because it is an experience you will live with for the rest of your days. Bonkers, yes; mad, no.
