To IMPORT or NOT To Import: Is The Abarth 500C What We Need In The States? TONS Of Pics!

Oh-kay so there are two arguments that people will bring up with this particular vehicle:

1) It is far too femme
2) Its retro-themed styling is approximately five years behind schedule

Regardless, the Abarth 500C seems to be a pretty neat little car. It reminds me of a Mini Cooper S JCW Convertible. Sure, it is not what you'd expect to see a 6'8 monster crawl out of but man it is tons of fun to drive.

Now if I could only get behind the wheel of one, soon.

More importantly, is this the kind of car the U.S. needs? After the relative success of MINI in the States, is there room in that market? After all, the argument can be made that all of the small car buyers have been taken up with a whole lot of MINIs and Smart cars.

I am sure Chrysler is trying to figure this out as we speak...

**Note: Click "Read Article" to gain access to over 50 photos of the Abarth 500C.


In the next few days, the new Abarth 500C will go on sale first in Italy and shortly after in the rest of Europe, so Fiat decided to drop a huge photo gallery of its newest model that had its world premiere at the Geneva Motor Show this past March.

Aside from the male population looking for a relatively affordable cabrio with some punch, Fiat claims that the new open-topped car was also made to appeal to women customers "who seek design and elegance but also appreciate the performance of a true sports car...

[Source: Carscoop]








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bmwdrvr - 6/16/2010 9:47:57 AM

+1 Boost

The car seems fine for America its small, despite its retro styling it looks premium, economical, the interior looks high quality at least in pictures, the only problem that I think it would have is the fact its a Fiat. Fiats have always had a bad name in quality/reliability since they were sold here, you have to wonder how many people have forgotten that enough to want to buy one.

Agent00R - 6/16/2010 10:21:44 AM

-3 Boost

@Invisible

Who are you kidding?

Everyone knows that the stipulation of a femme car is a concern of many car buyers. AND in our great country image and perception is a HUGE concern.

If that wasn't true then we'd all drive Kias.

PS -- I'd love to have an Abarth 500, I could do without the convertible, though.

bmwdrvr - 6/16/2010 10:34:44 AM

+1 Boost

your joking right "we all drive Kias if we didnt care driving femme cars." That has to be the most rediculous thing ive ever heard in relation to cars and proves that you know nothing about them. Who cares as long as your not driving a pink Beetle, or a purple Miata there are several cars that are predominantly bought by women that arent Kias and if there was a brand that see more women driving or..... I wouldnt say Kia I would say another European brand..

Agent00R - 6/16/2010 11:07:10 AM

-1 Boost

@bmwdrvr

Do not use quotes if that's not what exactly what was said.

Re read what I wrote, slowly.


@Invisible

Follow along here, pls.

If IMAGE and PERCEPTION are not concerns of the American consumer then why does the buying public purchase anything other than utilitarian/Spartan cars that cost no more than $15,000? ASIDE from the fact more expensive vehicles have more luxury features...

The automobile is a symbol of many things, including status.

bmwdrvr - 6/16/2010 11:17:22 AM

+1 Boost

your logic is incredibly flawed while your asking me to reread such foolishness slowly try thinking slowly. Last time I checked driving a $20,000 Camry has no Cache, nor does driving any other mainstream family sedan. As far as your other nonsensical statement it isnt always true more expensive cars have more features the needs or wants of everyone doesn't circle around having a small economy car thats not even realistic. Why your allowed to post I have no idea but at least try injecting just a tad bit of commensense into your err post...

KKO84 - 6/16/2010 10:59:06 AM

+2 Boost

I think they should bring this car to the States. I don't see why not. It gives people an alternative to purchasing something other then a Mini or a Smart car. It's smaller then a Mini, yes, but most of the time people here, specifically Cali, don't really bring a more then 1 passenger. (At least people I know) It's larger then a Smart car and has the spacious back seat for more storage space and I'm sure it has WAY more power and it doesn't look as dinky as the Smart car IMO. My 2 cents FWIW.

Joe_Limon - 6/16/2010 11:53:57 AM

-3 Boost

I think they should build a wall to keep trash like this on that side of the puddle. That thing is nasty.

eric452 - 6/16/2010 6:32:20 PM

+2 Boost

If you don't like the car, don't get the car. We all understand that you need a muscle car or a giant truck to make you feel like you have a big penis, so let those who like this cars like it and keep your mouth shut.

Joe_Limon - 6/16/2010 7:44:19 PM

-3 Boost

I'm sorry if I find this thing horrendous, if looks could hurt...

PrizeFighter - 6/16/2010 1:11:04 PM

0 Boost

Looks too much like a Mini. Which is fine if you like that sort of thing (...I for one do not), which plenty of people do. I think it would do well here but it does nothing for me.

thstone - 6/16/2010 5:05:29 PM

+1 Boost

I dunno. I doubt that there are that many more buyers out there who are looking for a Mini-substitude but who don't aleady have a Mini.

Probably depends on gas prices: If gas stays cheap, no way. If gas goes up, then yes, people will trade in their larger/nicer cars for something like this and use the higher MPG as the rationale for making the change.

upwards - 6/16/2010 7:03:59 PM

0 Boost

Hideous and under powered

upwards - 6/16/2010 7:06:33 PM

0 Boost

BTW its union made.