Fiat  Abarth Action

Fiat 500 Abarth Esseesse Review: Cheeky Firebreather

Fiat 500 abarth review (15)

It`s been ages that we remember of the Fiat 500 when it was launched in 2008. At a seemingly stratospheric price tag exceeding 15L, it wasn’t meant to sell in large volumes!  Regardless of the cute design, heritage and its desirability factor it just did not appeal to the value for money conscious Indian masses. The all new rejuvenated Fiat is giving us another dose of the little Miss Italy albeit in a more potent guise – in Abarth Esseesse flavor. We sampled this pocket rocket at Fiat`s facility, and came out fairly impressed!

Images: Hanoz Patel and Amit Chhangani

Fiat 500 abarth review (25)

Coming through the CBU route, this time the new generation Cinquecento (500) comes drenched in Abarth branding everywhere. As common with the performance editions sold by other manufacturers, the 500 loses its Fiat badges or rather earns the fabled Abarth badges it so proudly flaunts. So since the emphasis lies on what`s under the hood, let`s go there first in this Fiat 500 Abarth Esseesse review!

Whats under the hood? The hardware..

Fiat 500 Abart interior (8)

The Abarth edition is powered by Fiat`s MultiAir 1.4L 4 pot intercooled turbocharged petrol engine. This power plant pumps out 158 BHP@5500 rpm and 230 Nm of torque @3000 rpm. Pop the hood and it looks a tightly packed engine bay there, with the cast finished red engine cover bearing the Scorpion Logo and Esseesse lettering. Essentially, the MultiAir is Fiat`s nomenclature of the variable intake valve timing with electronic control. Electro-Hydraulic solenoids are employs resulting in significant improvements in torque and efficiency as intake valves are used to throttle the engine.

Fiat 500 abarth review (6) Fiat 500 abarth review (8)

The Abarth also comes with twin intercoolers which is quite unique and their twin “nostrils” can be seen on the revised front bumper. Boffins at Fiat have gone to the extent of anodizing the piston top land and ring groove to make it robust, in anticipation that oil grades may not be adhered to. As a part of the Esseesse kit, the engine breathes heaps of clean air through high performance BMC airfilters. To handle this step up in power, all the internal components have been beefed up too. The potent engine is mated to C510 five speed heavy duty manual transmission which is quite fun to use with its short throw. Abarth`s transmission also features larger CV (Constant Velocity) joints that boast of a 53% increase in torsional strength over the standard 500!

Fiat 500 Abart interior (20)

Torque Transfer Control (TTC) has also been employed to ensure the optimum distribution of power to the front wheels. The TTC brakes the wheel to control the wheelspin as opposed to electronic traction control which cuts the power from the engine to prevent the wheelspin. In Sport mode, the TTC automatically keeps adjusting the degree of differential locking to minimize understeer and maximize traction. That’s some serious kit for a small car!

Fiat 500 Abarth Action (4)

The Esseesse kit also brings Koni`s front shock absorbers with Frequency Selective Damping (FSD) which constantly varies the damping of the shock-absorbers to give the best balance between comfort and road hold. A precision tuned stabilizer bar at the rear helps in better cornering abilities. Both ends have lowered ride height by 0.6 inches and stiffer springs. The Abarth Esseesse gets discs brakes all around with big 11.1 inches diameter drilled ventilated rotors at the front and drilled rotors at the rear.

Fiat 500 Abarth Action (8)

Fiat has always dressed their cars with some of the best looking alloy wheels. Abarth Esseesse 500 comes with gorgeous 16 inch performance alloys which have striking resemblance to the BBS alloys that are famous with the Mitsubishi Lancer Evos!

Next page for exterior and interior details>>>

2 thoughts on “Fiat 500 Abarth Esseesse Review: Cheeky Firebreather”

  1. This comment is about the anti-spin technology. Be it Torque Transfer Control (TTC) or Electronic Traction Control(ETC), both have their own drawbacks.
    Let me start with TTC, since TTC uses braking to control the spin, the brake-pads are sure to wear-out soon if the person at wheel has a love for “revving”.
    If its ETC , since it cuts off power, a major part of the initial-torque is going waste.
    Well my thought is “ETC with KERS” (Kinetic Energy Recovery System).
    ETC cuts off power and that power can be restored using KERS.
    Ultimately there is no need for efficiency to be ‘compromised’.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Scroll to Top