Quick!  Give us a call on 0844 561 8275 or visit our showroom at Silverlink (address is to the right).

Quick!  Give us a call on 0844 561 8275 or visit our showroom at Silverlink (address is to the right).

Full details of the Abarth Punto Evo offers from Richard Hardie now in stock from only £285 Deposit and £285 per Month.

Low deposits and low repayments on all Abarths at Richard Hardie

Abarth 500 Offer Details

Buy a brand new Abarth 500 at Richard Hardie from only £14,461… what are you waiting for!

With the Fiat 500 still selling like hotcakes, the Italian automaker’s performance division is reportedly working on a new combination to further bolster interest in the retro hatch. Melding the best elements of the 500 Abarth and the new 500C convertible, Fiat is said to be preparing a 500C Abarth for launch overseas in time for the next sunny season.

Porting over the engines from the fixed-roof 500 Abarth, the cabrio would be offered with the 133hp 1.4-liter turbo four, upgradable to 157hp with the optional Esse-esse kit. But while most convertibles loose their rigidity and gain weight when the top is lopped off, the 500C’s unique roof rail structure keeps torsional twist at bay – to say nothing of the Cinquecento’s iconic profile.

Pricing would be competitive with the new Mini Cooper Cabrio, and with both the Abarth and convertible variants expected to appear Stateside by 2011, there’s a good chance Fiat will throw this one into the mix, too.

Top Gear gave the Abarth 500 a respectible verdict of 16/20.

Comfort – 9/20

The 500 is small, so the back seats are also in the tiny way. But up front you’ll be fine, although a bit bounced to death thanks to tightened up suspension – possibly not the car for a transcontinental jaunt. You can get away with the Abarth most of the time though – especially in town where you can scoot about like a maniac. Did we mention the scorpions? Scorpions are good.

Performance – 15/20

It’s a relatively tiny 1.4-litre turbo but with a decently frothy 135bhp and 133lb ft of torque. A ‘Sport’ button gently raises the torque available, but not by a huge amount; it goes up to 152lb ft for overtaking purposes. It means that the little 500 isn’t blistering, but an exceptional joy to thrash. This is not a car to win drag races in, but through the twisties it’s great fun.

Cool – 17/20

If big cars make people think you have sub-standard nethers, the Abarth should be the opposite. It might not be as wilfully mental as the 60s cars (it’ll start when you want it to, and it has an engine that’ll last more than 2000miles), but there’s that cutesy-with-teeth thing going on that makes it. If it doesn’t make you smile by the way it looks, it’ll make you laugh in the way it drives.

Quality – 13/20

S’OK. The 500 generally has some nice touches that punt it up above average (we like fake Bakelite), but the quality has been shaved in parts. Not to say that it’s actively bad, but start poking around and you’ll find some marginally ropey finishes.

Handling – 14/20

It’s lower, tighter and harder than the stock version and has a tendency to bounce a little on the average British B. Find some smooth tarmac and you’ll be pleasantly surprised though – this thing is a laugh. The ‘Sport’ button also drops out some of the steering’s power-assistance, so there’s more feel when you go fast – not quite a Mini Cooper, but pretty good.

Practicality – 9/20

Don’t be daft. The new sports seats (both front and back) take up more room in the car than the standard ones, so that cuts space even further. The boot’s small and you’d have to tow a dinky trailer to transport anything big.

Running costs – 13/20

You should still get 40mpg from an Abarth. It’s a touch on the pricey side, but you’re paying for smiles-per-mile. Insurance is OK, too – it’s ‘only’ a 1.4-litre don’t forget. The way forward for performance motoring.

Source: Top Gear