If you value personality over any other feature, the 2012 Fiat 500 Abarth offers that in truckloads. Critics, while noting it is built to be one of the more powerful, sporty mini compact cars, also agree that it is cute and have compared it to the type of cute a miniature pitbull puppy might be. The sound of the engine was also a noteworthy feature, because even though it certainly can’t go head to head with the likes of a Lexus LS, BMW M3 or Dodge Challenger SRT8, it gives its own distinctive engine sounds which make the little 1.4 liter an aggressive sound.
The 2012 Fiat 500 Abarth is built to be the sports equivalent to the 500 series and is designed as such. It sits 15 millimeters closer to the ground for better road hugging action. The front fascia is designed to fit a few inches further out from the body to give room for the turbocharged engine. There are also large ducts to feed air into the engine bay and of course a large spoiler is added to the rear to complete the sporty appeal.
Exterior options for the 2012 Fiat 500 Abarth are white, gray, black or red with optional gloss white or black wheels. The mirror caps and side body stripes (optional) also have the choices of black, red or white. The interior comes with either cloth or leather in black or red. While those options are less than the standard 500, they fall in line with the sporty vibe that the Abarth maintains.
Drivers do have to remember that this is based on an inexpensive platform and the interior options reflect that, although the steering wheel and shifter have a more upscale feeling to them. The MultiAir engine sounds more powerful than the 160 horsepower and 170 pound feet of torque that it offers. You can do 0 to 60 in about 7.2 seconds, which is slow compared to many new model cars coming out, but will get you to where you need to go.
Source Autoblog