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Abarth 500C Esseesse is priced at $38,990* (MLP*)

Abarth 500C Esseesse released

Home > News > Fiat > Abarth


Other stories:
Abarth 500 Esseesse released
10th March, 2011
Abarth 500C
27th February, 2011


14th November, 2011

Abarth has released the little 500C Esseesse, combining an ability to make it from 0 to 100 km/h in 7.6 seconds and drop its top at the touch of a button.

The Abarth 500 Esseesse also adds for the first time in the Abarth 500 the Abarth Competizione Gearbox which delivers the performance of the manual with the effortlessness of manual gear selection via steering wheel mounted paddles or convenience of automatic gear selection.

The new Abarth 500C Esseesse an all out, no holds-barred, uncompromising, high performance pocket rocket with an engine that delivers performance, a race-bred chassis that enables it to be fully utilised across a broad breadth of road conditions complete with the familiar Fiat 500 styling.

The Abarth 500C Esseesse produces 118 kW and the maximum torque is 230 Nm and has lowered suspension, Koni shock absorbers, cross drilled brake discs and 7x17 inch alloy wheels. Top speed is 206 km/h. Fuel consumption is just 6.5 litres on the combined cycle (for comparison purposes, although it isn't expected many Abarth buyers will drive to the "combined cycle").

Compared to the normal Fiat 500 1.4, fuel consumption on the combined cycle rises by just 0.2 of a litre per 100 km, from 6.3 to 6.5 litres per 100 km.

Matching the performance is a folding roof every bit has high tech and ingenious as the drivetrain. For a start, it has two opening positions, firstly at a press of a button the whole roof opens up and this function may be done at any speed, opening or closing. A second press of the roof opening button and the rear section, including the glass rear window folds down for the full open car effect and this can also be done on the move, at speeds of up to 60 km/h. The roof also includes the extra large rear wing that is a feature of the Abarth 500C Esseesse. Unlike other convertibles, there is minimum impact on the boot space, just three litres is lost to the roof mechanism and roof, if folded, automatically lifts up to allow easy access to the boot.

Another strength of this model is its exceptional climatic and acoustic comfort. Thorough aerodynamic research means that the turbulence experienced with the roof open has been reduced to a minimum, allowing the open road and engine sound to be enjoyed to the full. The Abarth 500C Esseesse offers all the sensation of a real sports car: with the hood closed, it offers performance worthy of a hard top version but when the roof is rolled down, the range of sensations and experiences expands as you speed along with the wind rushing through your hair to the authentic sound of the twin silencer exhaust.

Another important new feature is the race inspired Abarth Competizione gearbox, which can trace its roots back to 1949  when Karl Abarth was beginning to market his first official product, a racing gearbox with a steering wheel control for the Fiat Topolino, offering slick gear shifts under sporty driving conditions.

More than 60 years later, the ABARTH Competizione is offered as standard on the Abarth 500C with the same philosophy. It takes the form of a five speed gearbox with electrohydraulic control and driver interface made with paddles behind the steering wheel in a configuration that enhances the car's attributes of thrift and efficiency under sporting driving conditions.

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In detail, the innovative gearbox derived from an MTA (Manual Transmission Automated) unit consists of a conventional manual gearbox on which the manual linkage is replaced by an actuator controlled electronically by a TCU (Transmission Control Unit) which optimises both gearshifting and mechanical efficiency. This gearbox also offers auto mode for greater comfort and manual mode for maximum driving satisfaction. The Sport setting works in both manual and auto modes, boosting gearshift speed.

The new Abarth Competizione transmission makes driving more fun, complementing out-and-out racing attributes with the possibility of shifting up through the gears on the steering wheel as though you were driving a full size super car.

Inside, the fully equipped interior is clear in its intent – the ideal sporting approach, from the thick rimmed, grippy flat bottomed steering wheel, the sports seats and the aluminium trimmed accelerator pedal all add to the aggressive ambiance. There’s a dash-mounted turbo boost gauge to help drivers get the most out of the Abarth 500C’s performance when the Sport button is pressed, and aid economy when it isn’t, with it flashing as the rev-limit is approached in Sport mode and when to change up for better fuel economy in normal mode.

Privacy glass on the rear wide windows and unique roof lining complete the Abarth interior. The Abarth 500C comes as standard with equipment that would have been beyond the dreams of its historic predecessor, with climate control air-conditioning, electric windows, electrically adjustable door mirrors, 17-inch alloy wheels, an Interscope sound system with radio, CD and MP3 file player power amplifier and sub-woofer, and Fiat’s innovative and unique Blue&Me hands-free communication system all ticked in the standard equipment list.

With seven airbags and a five star EuroNCAP rating, safety is also fully served. A robust braking system features ABS anti-lock braking with EBD (Electronic Brake Distribution) and HBA (Hydraulic Brake Assistance) to ensure maximum stopping power when required. There’s also an ESP (Electronic Stability Programme) to ensure control is maintained at all times, while Hill Holder makes for stress-free starts on a slope.

The manufacturer's list price* is $38,990*.


NOTE: * Manufacturer's List Price (MLP) excludes dealer delivery fees and the numerous statutory charges (commonly known as on-road costs). Additionally, please note that all prices, fees and charges are subject to change without notice, as are the specifications.


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