The New Fiat 500 Abarth (only) Thread

no change in fuel economy so far

 

Really? Amazing news but hard to believe actually. I thought the new ECU was feeding more fuel..??

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My car is a 2013. When I bought it, the fuel economy displayed 6.4L/100km. The person who owned it before me really babied it. I don't think he even pressed the sport button.

After a reset, I can't do better than 9.4L/100km (stock ECU). Probably because I do use the sport button almost always, and I have my foot down hard.

I put on a Madness 500 V2 piggy back ECU on it, and it was averaging 12.5L/100km - so yes, I'd say it certainly affects the fuel mileage. But it's faster, so it's all good to me. I bought the piggy back used from a technician at my local Ferrari dealer (he had it on his Abarth), and I got it cheap. I can say that it was worth the small investment

 

Trying to find a reason to not buy one as my DD for LA traffic, the X6M is just so big. Glad I found this thread. I'll start reading.

 

Every once and a while I miss a car when its gone, the bug (as everyone in my family called it) is one of those cars. I am negotiating right now to pick up a low mileage 2015. I would never buy a new one unless you plan to keep it for a long time.

 

They do offer an automatic version that might be better suited to sitting in traffic. Used is definitely the way to go. Some great deals out there on low mileage cars.

 

I see them used for 13-15k and under around here, the 10-11k ones being 2013 model years with 50-70k on the odometer. I need to educate myself on the differences between the years. The stick I thought would make life fun, I loved my 6spd Z4 as a DD and the hill-stop control is supposed to be really nice. Handling, small size and fuel economy are the key factors, I even considered the "e" variant because my office has charging ports and I can charge at home as well. I just want to avoid my fear of modern Minis and their lack of transmission reliability.

 

of all the cars i own the abarth is by far the most enjoyable for daily driving. you can drive the piss out if it without going to jail or endangering lives. get the stick for sure!

 

Outside of the center display and maybe some more ways to stream music, I do not think there are that many changes, I am going to look at a 2013 and a 2015 this weekend. I did a lot to my first one, probably will not do that much again.

 

Ok, I dug a little and admit I started to make this list, but have to thank Fiat500USA of fiat500usaforum.com. I grabbed some of his links, and fleshed them out little.

Almost every year got a color option, maybe some wheels, but those are not a big deal.

2013 Changes:

1. Heated seats available
2. Revised Icons on steering wheel and cluster bezel
3. New carpet
4. Make door locking strategy configurable on EVIC
5. One push to unlock all doors or first push driver second push passenger
6. Tire pressure monitoring system to display pressure values in EVIC
7. Speed sensitive volume for premium audio

http://www.fiat500usa.com/2012/09/details-on-new-2013-fiat-500.html

2014 Changes:

1. Passenger seat is lowered 1" and gets an armrest

http://www.fiat500usa.com/2013/09/new-2014-fiat-500-updates.html

2015 Changes:

1. New instrument panel with 7" digital display and TFT technology.
2. Bluetooth streaming audio and a revamped center console with an additional USB port. (USB and Aux port located in the center console for better convenience.)
3. New automatic transmission option added to the Fiat 500 Abarth and 500 Turbo mod

http://www.fiat500usa.com/2014/04/2015-fiat-500-model-changes.html
http://www.fiat500usa.com/2014/04/2015-fiat-500-gets-new-console.html
http://www.fiat500usa.com/2014/04/2015-fiat-500-digital-instrument-panel.html
http://www.fiat500usa.com/2014/04/fiat-500-abarth-to-get-automatic-trans.html
http://www.fiat500usa.com/2014/06/fiat-500-abarth-automatic-hits.html

2016 Changes:

1. Uconnect infotainment system that combines an integrated CD player with Bluetooth phone support and navigation. This modern system is a nice update over the previous system that used an add-on TomTom device that sat atop of the dashboard.

http://www.fiat500usa.com/2015/09/2016-fiat-500-abarth-model-changes.html

2017 Changes:

1. "Parksense"
2. 16" alloy wheels

http://www.fiat500usa.com/2016/09/2017-fiat-500-and-abarth-model-changes.html

 

So this week I am going to test a 2013 Abarth (5spd) vs a 2012 Cooper S Coupe (6spd). Cooper is 3k cheaper, but looks cramped, less cargo space. The Fiat I look at the pedals and they look like I stomp, not push them. I am looking forward to this challenge between the two. I am really looking for a fun car, I can almost see as disposable.

 

Press the sport button and keep the revs up. Makes sure you're getting 18lbs or so of boost on the gauge. You should enjoy it.

 

Sport on the Fiat?

 

Yes. There's a button on the dash labeled "Sport". Press it to change the ECU into a higher boost mode. It's something I now do automatically when I start the car. Be aware that boost is still limited to (I think) 12 PSI in 1st and 2nd.

 

in sport i dont think my boost is limited in 1st and 2nd gear. i have the eurocompulsion ecu.

 

I have owned both (Abarth/Cooper S), what a surprise. Both are easy to mod. I had similar mods in both, the Short Shift kit, ECU, throttle controller, (and at least for me new steering wheel made), were the ones I probably could not be without. My deal on the Abarth feel through (they sold it to someone who financed it and paid their price), so I now have a lead on a low mileage Cooper S.

 

13 Abarth here and it is my daily, 29k mikes now and only oil changes. In the winter I swap on diff wheels and snows and she's quite competent. Heater and air con are fine as well. As someone else mentioned the Sport button is on from the time I start her, winter mpg is around 33.6 mostly back road driving. Not the fastest but I always look fwd to driving her, you can't do much better than that. I really wish that they would do a full refresh, maybe a little larger, a little more power and a little more luxury and then I would have reason to upgrade. A blast of a car for very little cash outlay.

 

but how do you like the pedals? someone compared the car to sitting on a parstool on a furniture dolly. you know it is low and hugs the ground, you just sit so high up it feels odd

 

You get used to it.


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Totally. At first it feels like the sitting position is very high but after a bit the car feels like a go kart.

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Agreed, at first it does feel like sitting on a barstool but I guess I have become used to it as I no longer notice it. Pedals are fine, I'm 5'10" about 170 and no issues. I believe 2015 they lowered the seat 1 inch + you get the nicer dash.

 

in sport its limited in first gear but not in second

 

Have a 12 Abarth. I'm 6.1 and mostly torso. My head hit my friend's sunroof equipped model. Fine with no sunroof.
Yes pedals seems odd and way to light, but you adapt quick.

 

I'm 5'10" with a longish torso and hit the sunroof on the passenger side of my 2013. I just clear it on the driver's side. So I bought a non-sunroof version and it's much better. It's a bit tough finding a well-optioned unit that does not have a sunroof.

 

I’m 6’3”, long legs, and I have plenty room in my 2012 Abarth. No sunroof.


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