FIRST came the fun, and what a fun car the Fiat 500 turned out to be. An instant hit, particularly with the ladies, it became the most desirable small car in the UK.

Into the mix came the Abarth 500, which made it slightly bonkers. And then the 500C brought a ray of sunshine into the line-up, with its open-top slant on city car driving.

Now we have a new 500 to choose from. And this one is cute, slightly bonkers and still with that sunny personality. Yes, if you want to have it all, you can with the Abarth 500C, which combines great small car performance with wind-in-the-hair motoring in a retro, stylish and well-equipped package.

The most radical feature of this new offering is the Abarth Competizione automated gearbox, which allows drivers to change gear using paddles mounted behind the steering wheel or by simply pushing one of four buttons on the dashboard console, turning the five-speed unit into a full automatic.

The engine is the same 1.4-litre turbo that’s used in the Abarth 500 hatchback model. However, it gets an extra 5bhp, boosting it to 140bhp. This gives a top speed of 128mph, while 0-62mph acceleration is dispatched in 8.1 seconds, so expect some thrills when you push hard on your right foot.

By prodding the Sport button, gear changes are made quicker, engine responses are sharpened, and the steering characteristics are changed, and it is in this mode that the Abarth is a much more rewarding drive. In the normal driving mode, there is a noticeable drag as the transmission system works its way through the gears, and I found myself lifting off the accelerator to ease the gear shifts. A manual gearbox will be introduced at a later date if you prefer your transmission the old-fashioned way.

At the press of a yet another button, drivers can also select TTC (torque transfer control), which uses the stability sensors and braking system to mimic a limited slip differential and inhibit understeer and also sharpen handling.

The Abarth 500C’s front and rear have been redesigned in keeping with the hard top version, but the styling is not only cosmetic. Space had to be created in the engine bay to house the 1.4-litre turbo engine. And that power plant has to be fed with sufficient air to extract the maximum performance. The result is a deep front spoiler with sporty vents to the side, lower side skirts and an extended roof spoiler.

This has been lengthened to improve its effectiveness but still sits on the electric soft top and incorporates the high-level brake light which cleverly remains visible even when the roof is fully open. With a choice of 16 and 17-inch wheels and a wide choice of colours and trim, including new bi-colour paint work, the Abarth 500C should appeal to a discerning audience.

Standard equipment includes a sporty thick-rimmed flat-bottomed, leather steering wheel, electric front windows and door mirrors, air conditioning, and height adjustable driver’s seat.

The steering wheel is also height-adjustable, but reach is disappointingly fixed. There are figure-hugging high-back sports seats, a radio/CD/MP3 player with steering wheel controls and a hands-free phone system to complete a comprehensive package that you would certainly expect to find in a small car costing a minimum of £17,500. It’s a hefty price tag.

Options include automatic climate control, red brake callipers and a leather interior. And for drivers wanting to boost the performance of their Abarth further, an esseesse (SS) performance upgrade will become available, too.

The Abarth 500C is a different car from the hatchback, and a more traditional boot lid has replaced the tailgate.

The double-layered hood is electrically operated and can be activated at up to 37mph, so you are unlikely to be caught out by any sudden cloudburst. On the downside, you will have to live with restricted rear vision when the roof is lowered.

It’s not just the Abarth 500C’s classic shape and obvious sporting intentions that make it stand out from the crowd. The 500’s wide variety of colour and stripe options is carried over to this Abarth model. The roof is available in either black or titanium grey.

Rear parking sensors help the driver squeeze into the tightest spaces around town, and there are front and rear fog lights and remote control door locking, plus electric front windows and electric door mirrors with a demist function.

Since its UK launch in Harrogate two years ago as a stand-alone brand within the Fiat Automobiles stable, Abarth has been one of motoring’s success stories, with the youngest average customer age of any car brand in Europe.

The company has been built around the principles set out more than 60 years ago by its founder Karl Abarth, who in the mid-1950s notched up a string of endurance and speed records.

This speedy 500C is set to boost the brand’s enduring appeal, even though some will find the price and automated transmission system off-putting.


Abarth 500c, from £17,500

Engine: 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol, producing 140bhp.

Transmission: 5-speed electrically-operated manual/auto with gear shift paddles behind the steering wheel.

Performance: 0-62mph in 8.1 seconds; top speed 128 mph.

Economy: 43.5mpg combined.

CO2 Rating: 151 g/km.