Abarth 500C (10 on) - Review

Review by Chris Ebbs on
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

3 out of 5

Running costs

Despite the performance, fuel economy is an impressive 43mpg on the 500C. It's unlikely though, since drivers will be too tempted by the Sport button rather than sensible and economical driving.

Summary Running Costs

Servicing period

18,000 miles/every two years which ever is the sooner

Warranty

Three years/60,000 miles

Road tax (12 months)

£170.00 - £170.00

Vehicle excise duty (VED) varies according to the CO2 emissions and the fuel type of the vehicle. For cars registered after March 1st 2001 VED or road tax is based on the car's CO2 emissions. For cars registered before March 1st 2001 it is based on engine size.

Full running costs data

3.5 out of 5

Green credentials

  • A
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    155
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CO2 emission figure (g/km)

Fuel economy rating

The arrows indicate the best and worst CO2 bands for this model.

Emissions summary

You might not expect a pure performance-based car with the sporty looks of the Abarth to perform well in this category but emissions of just 151g/km are fairly impressive for a car of this nature.

Find the exact engine and CO2