Abarth 500C (10 on) - Review Review by Chris Ebbs on 16 July 2010 Last Updated: 25 October 2011 Following the relative success of Abarth’s return to the UK market in 2008, Fiat’s high performance brand has taken the 500C and given it the full scorpion badged makeover. As with the usual 500C you get the same drop-top cool but the Abarth additions means it gets a 1.4-litre turbocharged Multiair engine with 140bhp making what is already a fun car to drive in Fiat guise, a more focused and exciting prospect. Disappointingly the sporty paddleshift gearbox is jerky and lets it down somewhat. If the regular Abarth version won’t do, then there’s an Esseesse version that pushes power up a further 20bhp and adds stiffer suspension and improved brakes. 3.5 out of 5 Other Abarth reviews Summary Facts & Figures Equipment Driving & Performance Comfort Costs Safety & Reliability Buying & Selling Also Consider Company Car Info Gallery 3.5 out of 5 Summary Tweet New price range: £16,636 - £17,883 View all new prices Used price range: £12,787 - £15,873 View all used prices Get an Abarth 500C (10 on) information pack Next steps Lively engine, fun and focused drive, sporty looks, excellent handling Limited dealership network, jerky automatic gearbox, pricey when compared to bigger Punto Evo Following the relative success of Abarth’s return to the UK market in 2008, Fiat’s high performance brand has taken the 500C and given it the full scorpion badged makeover. As with the usual 500C you get the same drop-top cool but the Abarth additions means it gets a 1.4-litre turbocharged Multiair engine with 140bhp making what is already a fun car to drive in Fiat guise, a more focused and exciting prospect. Disappointingly the sporty paddleshift gearbox is jerky and lets it down somewhat. If the regular Abarth version won’t do, then there’s an Esseesse version that pushes power up a further 20bhp and adds stiffer suspension and improved brakes. Driving & Performance Performance 3.5 out of 5"The Abarth 500C gets the same 1.4-litre turbocharged Multiair engine found in the Abarth 500 model,..." Handling 4.5 out of 5"As you’d expect from a small performance car like this, the ride is quite stiff but not too..." Comfort Comfort 3.5 out of 5"Despite the soft-top roof, the Abarth 500C feels fairly refined on the move when closed. Engine..." Practicality 3.5 out of 5"Customers won’t be going out their way to buy this car for its carrying capabilities, but you still..." Equipment 4 out of 5"Standard equipment on the Abarth 500C is pretty good with all models getting 16-inch alloy wheels,..." Behind the wheel 4 out of 5"Like the regular Fiat 500C rear visibility isn’t great because of the tiny window although this has..." Costs Running costs 3 out of 5"Despite the performance, fuel economy is an impressive 43mpg on the 500C. It's unlikely though,..." Green credentials 3.5 out of 5"You might not expect a pure performance-based car with the sporty looks of the Abarth to perform..." Safety & Reliability Safety 4 out of 5"Despite the regular 500C not being crash tested yet, the 500 model has and was awarded five stars." Reliability 4 out of 5"Despite problems in the past with other smalls Fiats – Abarth is owned by the Italian manufacturer –..." Buying & Selling Buying new 3 out of 5"The small number of Abarth dealerships will hardly be expected to sell huge numbers of 500C models..." Buying used 3 out of 5"Tracking down a car will be the toughest task as there is likely to be limited numbers on the used..." Selling 3.5 out of 5"This should be fairly simple since there will be strong demand from enthusiasts. Esseesse models..." Gallery View full gallery Car Valuations Find used car prices with Parkers accurate car valuations. Find out more Cars for Sale Search well over a hundred thousand new and used cars for sale across the UK. Find out more Next: Facts & Figures