Fiat 500 Abarth Still Turns Heads
During a week testing the Fiat 500 Abarth, I've found people's reactions to it highly amusing. My husband and I took it out for a date night over the weekend, and the valet awarded the $26,000 Abarth prime real estate directly in front of the restaurant, right between a Mercedes-Benz S-Class and an Audi A7.
While the Italian subcompact seems to turn heads left, right and center, it appears to be with a very specific sub-segment: men who know cars and recognize the performance factor of the Abarth.
The few women who did stop to look all commented on Charlie Sheen.
"Can you believe he's getting involved in this, too?" one woman commented. Another said to me, "A little box like this Fiat is actually the perfect place for Charlie Sheen. Let's just keep him locked up in here." While it seems some men idolize him, most women want to run him over. I must admit that I actively try to clear Sheen's Abarth commercial from my head before driving it so a veil of bile wouldn't taint my opinion of the car.
The Abarth has proven to be a little too harsh as a daily driver for me (its fun for about two days), but the clever Super Bowl ad in which the Abarth morphs into a domineering Italian seductress is a great analogy for this car. Sure, she has her personality flaws, but who cares? You kind of get sucked in, charmed and dazed in a somewhat unhealthy stalker-like way by her mere appearance.
I want to hear from men and women alike. What are your thoughts on the Abarth's looks? Is this a timeless fashion statement like Louboutin's red soles, or a cheap and passing seasonal trend? Or maybe like one woman who stopped to talk to me said the Abarth is like "your highest pair of 'car to bar' shoes" worn only for special occasions. Tell us in the comments section below.
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2012 Fiat 500 Abarth Review
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As a man who knows cars and also recognises the power of the Abarth....I still can't really get past the Charlie Sheen connection.
Luckily I haven't seen the Charlie ads, I think the Fiat is hot, and might become my next car in our 2 car family.
I've had my Abarth for 2 months; put over 5,000 incredible miles on it; and my only regret is that I don't get to drive it ENOUGH!
An engine designed by the same guy that designed Ferrari's F1 engines for a decade; incredible exhaust note; plenty of room, comfort, convenience, and technology inside; and the thing just LOVES to attack curves!!!
A true Italian thoroughbred, just like my Ferrari!
Got my white Abarth three months ago. No doubt, it is a silly car. I had a 2008 G35 before it. The Abarth isn't as fast, not as nice inside, not as roomy or as well laid out. The Abarth doesn't have as many features. But the Abarth is spunky and happy. I feel like I am actually driving, not watching a TV show about driving.