Abarth

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2017 Fiat 500c Abarth: fun but flawed subcompact

Six years after Fiat returned to the United States, the Italian carmaker continues to struggle in the subcompact market. It’s a tough go with competition that includes perennial favorites like the Ford Fiesta and Volkswagen Beetle. For 2017, Fiat has streamlined its efforts. Novelty trims have been ditched; the entry-level Pop, upscale Lounge and performance-oriented Abarth remain. The 500c variants include a coupe, sliding roof cabriolet and fully electric, 500e. Key Takeaways Test car: the Fiat 500c Abarth cabriolet, with a four-cylinder engine and 160 horsepower. $21,490 MSRP and $25,510 as tested. 0-60 mph in 7.5 seconds. 24 mpg city, 32 highway and 27 combined. Safety: seven airbags; lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring and pre-collision detection are not offered. Engine: The

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Fiat 500 electric, decked in orange/white, debuts at LA Auto Show

The Fiat 500e, electric edition of the Italian hatchback first rumored two years ago, will debut November 30 at the Los Angeles Auto Show with a unique orange and white theme. First shown as the Fiat 500 BEV concept at the 2010 Detroit Auto Show, the zero-emissions Fiat 500 hatchback will go on sale in California in 2013 and other United States markets from 2014. The Fiat 500e is distinguished from its conventional petrol-powered sibling by its white lower front intake panel, unique side skirts, aero-enhancing alloy wheels and low rolling-resistance tires. The orange and white theme is reversed in the car’s interior, with the latter dominating the dashboard, center console, seats and door liners. A push-button gear selector and

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2012 Fiat 500 Abarth Review: Scorpi0n edition adds to brand’s savvy hot model marketing

Since its return last fall after nearly a four-decade absence, the Fiat 500 continues to find a steady, niche new market in the United States via its new relationship with Chrysler and several massively popular television commercials. In addition to the three models, Pop, Lounge and Sport, Fiat has several specialty editions, including the recently released Abarth and Gucci, and some further specialized offerings for 2013 currently featured at the Geneva Auto Show. In the Gucci trim, a two-tone style and high-styled badging is offered to reflect the famed designer. And with the much-anticipated Abarth, Fiat is hopeful of vast interest in the Scorpion badging that pays homage to the famous driver and builder Karl Abarth. Born under the Scorpion

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Sexy model's 'Seduction' still selling FIAT Abarth . . . now eight million times

Since its debut about 3 1/2 months ago, the FIAT 500 Abarth commercial Seduction, which features Romanian model Catrinel Menghia and was showcased in the 2012 Super Bowl, has now been viewed nearly 8 million times on YouTube. In the one-minute spot, a young man fantasizes while seeing a beautiful woman’s skirt slightly rise. Menghia is the woman who morphs into the Fiat. She also stars in the Nissan Juke Sports Illustrated commercials. When the woman catches the young man staring at her, she approaches, slaps him, then pulls him closer and whispers into his ear. Via translation, she says: What are you looking at? Uh!? What are you looking at?! (slap) Are you undressing me with your eyes? Poor

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Best of the Women of the Frankfurt Auto Show, 2011

The Frankfurt Auto Show, one of the oldest and largest in the car industry, concluded Sunday with another varied display of vehicles: entry level to luxury, concept to electric. Production cars in the biennial show that began in 1897 ranged from the Abarth 695 to the Volkswagen Up! and concept offerings ranged from the Alfa Romeo 4C to the Volvo You. Like many auto shows in recent years, luxury cars and electric cars garnered a good share of attention. But like any decent auto show, the beauty of the showcased vehicles was only outdone by the beauty of the women who showcased the cars. Here are the Best of the Women of the Frankfurt Auto Show, 2011.

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