Turbo model other than Abarth?

[NIGHTMARE]

Maybe a stupid question but I'm interested in a 500 but wanted to hold out for the rumored turbo model.  My question is, does Fiat offer a factory turbo model or are all the turbo models Abarth "Rare dealer super mark-up" models?

[Terry]

Hi Nightmare,

No turbo modifications as after market installations available to my knowledge although I'm sure tuners are working on them for the North American market (You can see some examples if you search this site). The official Abarth is rumored to be coming first qtr of 2012  but no official word as to date, performance or price (Again, rumor is between 160-170 bhp). Given FIAT pricing strategy I would think it will be positioned a couple of thousand south of the Cooper S and I don't think FIAT SpA will look too favorably on price gouging by their dealer network....

Ciao and welcome to the forum!

[NIGHTMARE]

Thanks for the quick reply.  I think I got my answer.  The only way to get a turbo from the factory is Abarth.  I'm thinking that once you cross into the 20K+ range other car options open up, including the Mini.

Oh well, guess I'll just have to wait and see.  I just don't think I'm willing to pay 20k+ for the Fiat.

[ciddyguy]

NIGHTMARE wrote

Thanks for the quick reply.  I think I got my answer.  The only way to get a turbo from the factory is Abarth.  I'm thinking that once you cross into the 20K+ range other car options open up, including the Mini.

Oh well, guess I'll just have to wait and see.  I just don't think I'm willing to pay 20k+ for the Fiat.

The way I look at it, the Abarth does many tweaks to the handling of the car, some interior tweaks, which include a modified steering wheel, a different transmission perhaps, even stiffer suspension than the Sport, lower profile tires and larger rims than the Sport and other goodies typical of the Abarth along with the super fast motor, which is a turbo variant of the 1.4L motor, good for a rumored 160-170HP here in the states so it's not just a warmed up standard Fiat, but a totally different model, so the accordingly more expensive price point is justified IMO and may just out do the Cooper S JCW in many ways as the basic 500 comes very close to the standard MINI in all but strait line acceleration and even there, the MINI has been clocked in at something like 8.7 Sec, the Fiat at 9.4-9.7 Sec in the standard 1.4L MultiAir motor with a good driver and conditions.

At this point, I've not seen anything else in this class of car that performs as well as the Fiat for its price point(s).

[littlejohn]

I was hoping for the 135HP to maybe be an option in the Sport as I've always like the mid segment, say in a Sentra the SE-R, and not the V Spec, etc, etc.

I assume the Abarth pricing would come in at 22-23K or so which seems fair for those who want the extra HP and all the other extras.  It sure looks like a neat vehicle.

I really thought about picking up a 500C last week...if I can't have more power, I can at least go whole hog and have a car that is very different others that are on the road.   My area is very hilly, and I'm use to my V-6 pulling me along quite nicely.  

[cogtooth]

Littlejohn:

I think we live in the same area, and I don't have a problem staying with traffic up hills, but I do downshift at time.  Maybe I'll find time to give you a test drive.