Released in 2008, the Abarth 500 revived the scorpion badge by using the Fiat 500 platform to deliver a concentrated dose of Italian driving fun. With its 135 hp 1.4 T-Jet, later pushed to 160 hp in Esseesse form, it lined up against cars such as the MINI Cooper S in the premium hot city-car space.
The sharper chassis setup and lowered suspension give it an eager front end, while the Record Monza exhaust brings a soundtrack that matters as much as outright pace. The cabriolet version keeps the same sporting ingredients in open-air form, and the robotised five-speed AMT gearbox was offered as an option.
The 1.4 T-Jet is a solid engine, but it wants engine oil every `10,000 km` with proper synthetic lubricant if the turbo is to stay healthy. The robotised gearbox can show low-speed jerks, often improved by software updates, and the cooling system deserves attention on higher-mileage cars.