It feels like only yesterday, but it was actually two years ago that I first read the press release about this car when it was unveiled at the Paris Motor Show in late 2008. The car in question is the hot version of Fiat’s 500 supermini, designed to go head-to-head with the likes of the MINI Cooper S. As most petrolheads know, the Abarth badge is reserved for Fiat’s most thrilling cars, after they have been fettled by the group’s performance division. The version I have been living with for the last week is the Abarth Esseesse 500, or Abarth SS. The SS kit is a €3,000 upgrade package that can be added to an Abarth 500 within the first 12 months of ownership by Fiat technicians.

So, what do the boys in Abarth do and what sort of bang for your buck do you get with this kit? First off, the engine is tweaked, and what better way to start off with some breathing mods like a BMC performance panel air filter, which gives the engine that nice throaty roar. Next on the list is the ECU – this has been remapped to produce 160bhp and a whopping 230Nm of torque at 3,000rpm. This equates to more than double the regular horsepower, and my God, can you feel it! When I got out onto the motorway and sunk the go pedal, the car immediately put a broad smile on my face. There’s no doubting the Abarth SS’s capabilities when you’re behind the wheel, but my biggest issue was getting other road users to take the car seriously. As you catch a car in the overtaking lane, more often than not they will look in the rear-view mirror, smile or laugh at the cute little car trying to get past them, and floor it. The fun begins when they realize you’re not going anywhere and you wipe the grin off their face as the 500 blows past! The SS weighs the same as the standard model at 1,035kg, but the extra power means 0–100km/h takes just 7.4 seconds and the top speed is bumped up to 210km/h. Thankfully, though, fuel economy and CO2 emissions are unchanged.

Next on the list for the Abarth techs was beefing up the little beast’s braking power, and the SS can almost do motorbike-style stoppies at the sight of a red light or a tight hairpin! Inside the titanium-coloured, multi-spoke, 17-inch rims, drilled and ventilated 284mm x 22mm brake discs have been fitted with performance pads up front; whilst powerful 240mm x 11mm drilled discs can be found at the rear. Peering through the alloys, you can also see the red Abarth SS uprated and lowered spring kit. This gives the SS a firm feel over back roads, but go-kart-like handling. There is zero body roll, which is vital in a car of these proportions.

If you can bring yourself to step out of the Abarth SS for a moment and admire the looks, you will see that it features an extensive bodykit, comprising a deep front bumper with integrated driving lights and a couple extra air intakes; lower and more prominent side skirts; and an aggressive rear bumper with twin tailpipes an a trick air diffuser insert.

Traditional Abarth badging and decals bring the white exterior to life, but the car still struggles to project a manly presence. Whatever way you look at it, it’s always going to be a cute-looking city car, but that’s not a bad thing. Perhaps I don’t get away with looking cool driving it, but a suave Italian dude or any female will turn heads in this car. In fact, a few of the lads here suggested I might not fit in the little hot hatch, but inside it has huge space with ample amounts of headroom. When you adjust the sporty leather Abarth seats, it really is a pleasant place to be.

I have yet to drive the regular-strength Abarth 500, but I have driven the basic 500. Obviously, there is no comparison to the SS model, but if you can’t stretch to purchase one of these, you could do a lot worse than pick up an economical 1.2-litre and give it your own touch – come on, let’s get some Fiats back in the pages of this magazine!


Fiat 500 Abarth Essesse

Engine: 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol 4-cylinder; BMC Performance panel filter; Abarth performance dual exhaust system; Abarth and SS engine detailing.

Transmission: Close-ratio 5-speed manual

Brakes: Performance 284x22mm ventilated discs up front; 240x11mm vented discs with performance pads all round

Suspension: Front MacPherson layout with anti-roll bar and Abarth SS lowering springs; rear torsion beam axle with anti-roll bar and Abarth SS lowering springs

Wheels: Titanium-coloured 17-inch multi-spoke rims; front tyres 205/40 R17; rear tyres 205/40 R17

Exterior: Complete Abarth Esseesse styling pack consisting of front and rear bumpers, sideskirts, decals, rear wing, badges etc.

Interior: Abarth leather red and black reclining seats; leather steering wheel and gear knob; Abarth boost gauge with shift light, usual Abarth refinements

ICE: Fiat CD MP3 headunit; USB jack; Blue & Me hands-free system

Security: Alarm and immobiliser

Performance: 160bhp; 0–100km/h in 7.4 seconds; 210km/h flat out

Thanks to: Fiat Group Automobiles Ireland Ltd.