Geneva 2010: Abarth 500C Drops The Top

Fiat's tiny retro-supermini, the 500, has been taking Europe by storm. Styled to resemble the old Cinquecento, and designed to take the fight directly to Mini, the 500 has been capturing hearts and minds on the continent since it's debut.  Like any good supermini, there are heaps of variants for every sort of taste.  There was the pinked-out Barbie edition (gag), the hot-rod turbocharged Abarth models, a Ferrari-inspired special, and even a roll-top 500C convertible.  The Geneva show will see the debut of the latest in the line, which combines the sporty trimmings and mechanics of the Abarth with the aforementioned soft-top 500C convertible.

The 500C, unlike most convertibles, doesn't actually have a folding roof- rather, a fabric section running down the center of the roof rolls back to let some air in, while maintaining more structural rigidity than a full folding-roof design.  On top of the basically cute 500C body, Abarth bolts on all sorts of angry-looking bumpers and side skirts as well as twin exhaust pipes, to put a little more testosterone into the whole affair.  Yes, it's goofy, but who cares?  It looks like fun.

Speaking of fun, the mechanical changes over the 500C are a little more significant than the aesthetics.  The Abarth 500C gets the 1.4L turbocharged "T-Jet" motor, which puts out 140bhp and 206nM(152 lb-ft) of torque through a six-speed automated manual with paddle shifters.  Which doesn't sound like a lot, but Abarth says it will scoot the little 500C to 100km/h in 8.1 seconds, which is not too bad.  Fuel economy is pegged at 6.5L/100km or 36.2 US MPG, which is impressive for a turbocharged funbucket.  The good news is there's a hotter "EsseEsse" version with more power in the works - probably the same 170bhp upgraded unit in the normal Abarth 500 SS.  The suspension is lower and stiffer for better response, and Abarth claims the bodywork gives the 500C better high-speed stability.  The Abarth 500C also receives the larger brakes from the regular Abarth 500 to keep things in check.

The 500C will be available in three different two-tone color schemes - black and white, or two variations on grey.  The electric rollback top can be ordered in black or titanium silver, as well.  There's a choice of three different styles of 17" alloy wheels, too - more choices than you can shake a stick at!  Inside, highly bolstered sport seats keep you in place, while a thick-rimmed sport steering wheel and unique instrument panel keep things interesting.  The Abarth 500C should be hitting European dealerships by year's end, and better yet, US Chrysler dealerships some time in early 2012.  Maybe this whole Fiatsler thing isn't so bad after all...