Small & Mighty | 2015 Fiat 500 Abarth Cabrio

Photo Credit: FCA As soon as I laid eyes on this car, I was enthralled by its adorably fierce aesthetic. I’ve always found the Fiat 500 cute, but with a mere 101 HP on the base model, I’m not likely to buy one for myself. The Fiat 500 Abarth Cabriolet changes all of this.

Can’t get enough of the Abarth’s zippiness

The 500c Abarth very well could be the first review vehicle I have driven so much in a week (with the exception of the Alfa Romeo 4C – more on that soon!). The quick, responsive handling made it a hoot to drive, not to mention the beastly sound of the dual exhaust. How does such a tiny car emit such a big sound? The turbo-boosted Fiat 500 Abarth Cabrio pushes 160 hp and 170 lb.-ft. of torque, which I found pretty impressive for a 1.4-Liter engine. Photo Credit: FCA

Fiat’s miniature street racer brings simple fun

Inside, the seating position and ceiling height were comfortable for my average height; however, I imagine that this Fiat would quickly feel cramped for those reaching six feet or taller. The interior is simple yet polished. From the more-than-expected legroom to the available premium leather-trimmed bucket seats, there’s plenty to love about this car. Inside the Fiat 500 Abarth Cabrio, I experienced Beats Premium Audio for the first time I loved it (although I kept joking that the car is so small that Beats headphones were used as speakers). Photo Credit: FCA For its “minicompact” class, the Abarth’s fuel economy rests on the low end of the spectrum, but that’s likely due to its boosted performance. Still, the Abarth gets a respectable 27 mpg combined (24 city / 32 highway) — not bad for a car that’s this much fun. Road and wind noise in the cabin could stand to be reduced; I have a feeling the ragtop cabriolet is a big factor in this minor complaint. But thankfully, the 500 Abarth’s finely-tuned sport suspension and performance brakes remedied any temporary feelings of annoyance. Just for fun, check out the craziness this little car is capable of, not that we’d try these at home…

Want your own 500c Abarth?

The Fiat 500 Abarth Cabrio starts at just over $26,000 but you can get yourself into the Hatchback for under $23,000. The car I drove included optional features such as the Beats Audio Package, Heavy Duty 6-Speed Automatic Trans, and Premium Leather-Trimmed Bucket Seats among others for a total price tag of $34,000. For details on Fiat’s 4-year/50,000-mile limited warranty, click here. The Abarth Experience is also included with vehicle purchase – a full day track experience with professional drivers who teach Abarth owners how to make the most of their cars.