The new Abarth 500C
Alongside the new Abarth Punto Evo at this month’s Geneva Motor Show was the new Abarth 500C, the convertible version of the Abarth 500, expected to arrive in the UK in June 2010.
The 500C’s raison d’être is, of course, it’s folding fabric roof. The electrically-operated roof slides along guides in the car’s sides and features an electrically-heated glass rear window and high-level brake light built into the spoiler.
The Abarth 500C's rear spoiler
The top is available in a choice of two colours – black or titanium grey – to match a pair of new two-tone colour schemes created specifically for the 500C – black with race white, and two contrasting grey tones.
There’s also a new design for the 17” diamond-finished ‘petal’ alloy wheels.
Powered by the same 1.4-litre 135 hp engine as the standard Abarth 500, the extra weight of the convertible modifications do blunt performance slightly, with the 0-62mph dash finished off in 8.1 seconds versus 7.9 for the hard-top car.
Top speed remains the same at 127 mph.
There’s no mention of the inclusion of Start&Stop technology, as had been suggested, although there is a new transmission.
Dubbed “Abarth Competizione” and fitted as standard, the new unit is an automated manual (MTA) version of the existing C510 transmission. While the official Abarth press materials referred to this unit as having six speeds, we believe it features only five ratios and is shared with the impending Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari.
"Abarth Competizione" MTA transmission selector
Two modes of operation are included: fully automatic, where the unit decides upon the most appropriate gear for the conditions, and a manual mode for maximum performance, with gear changes activated via steering wheel-mounted paddles.
The gear lever has been replaced by a new panel with buttons for 1st, neutral, reverse and auto/manual mode selection.
A dedicated ‘SS’ kit for the 500C is currently in development.
The 500C carries the same safety features as the Abarth 500, plus a few new ones. For the first time, the 500C benefits from a driver knee airbag, taking the total airbag count to seven. Plus, there’s Hydraulic Brake Assistance (HBA) which provides additional braking force in emergency situations.
Prices have yet to be announced, but the Fiat 500C’s £3,000 uplift over the standard Fiat 500 would seem to indicate a £16,500 starting price for an Abarth 500C.
