Floor the fast pedal and feel the hair at the nape of the neck rise like a dog’s hackles and, although the acceleration may not match a DB9 Aston, the startling fact that a car so dimensionally small blasts up to 100 km/h in 6.7 seconds, with the Monza Exhaust, and peaks out at a most pleasant 210 km/h, is comforting, to say the least.
She is frankly diminutive, but carries four adults in comfort, preferring its true, somewhat smoother roads than are readily available in Malta for serious motoring excursions, but nevertheless not being remotely fazed by undulating road surfaces.
In fact, the car seems to be ‘glued’ to the road as if it runs on rails rather than a lively sports suspension with large, low-profile tyres. Frankly, the stopping distances are most remarkably short and the giant brakes appear to have the same sort of retardation as a good Porsche.
The steering wheel can be lowered, the seats fully adjusted and a comfortable driving position must come most readily to hand even for the less usual driver configurations. Once adjusted and up to pace, the driver will be most pleased to note the amount of ‘feel’ transmitted through the light, but extremely sharp, power steering.
It responds best to wrist, rather than arm movement, and boy, oh boy, it responds well
In fact, a degree of caution, or ownership of a classic Mini, is needed to avoid an over-assertive turn of the wheel. The Abarth responds best to wrist, rather than arm movements, and boy, oh boy, does it respond well.
One hundred per cent concentration is required to get the best out of the 160bhp available, because speed builds up remarkably quickly, and many locals sleepily driving along at one with their inner thoughts, totally unaware that other road users wish to drive at a proper speed and blinkered to the facts surrounding the use of rear-view mirrors can be ‘wrong footed’ most satisfyingly easily, but sadly with the possibility of something really spooking the ‘driver’ of the vehicle being overtaken. You know the sort of thing, often culminating in car or occupants falling off the blacktop.
The Abarth is absolutely right for experienced drivers, male or female, because it is so satisfyingly light on the touch and so determinedly happy to be stretched towards its maximums within a few moments of climbing into the seat.
Many people are genuinely convinced that small cars are potentially far more unpleasant in a crash than big ones such as SUVs and MPVs. This, of course, need not be true, and a really well designed car like the 500 is a safe and most well-engineered passenger-orientated vehicle.
The anti-lock braking system (ABS) works in conjunction with the electronic braking force distribution (EBD), which is especially designed to distribute the braking action correctly between the front and rear wheels.
Small, properly-balanced cars can be driven with confidence and verve, especially when fitted with an electronic stability programme (ESP). This controls the car’s stability when road surfaces change, and works in conjunction with ASR (traction control), with intervention on the brakes and engine, working in conjunction also with the Hill Holder, which allows the car to be on an incline without the use of the brakes. The ESP system is automatically activated when the engine is turned on.
This is all very satisfactory and allows the enthusiast to drive to both their personal and, if a sufficiently good a driver, to the car’s limits.
If faults are diagnosed on board, a relevant warning light comes on. I would hazard a guess that owners of this diminutive piece of motoring exotica will be engineer enough to ensure that no warning lights ever appear.
Owners with small children must, in accordance with EC directive 2003/20/EC, have fitted the correct restraining seats. There are five to choose from, depending on the weight of the child. These seats have been specially designed for Abarth cars.
Cars, even expensive models, come equipped with a cigarette lighter. It must be noted that the Abarth has a proper cigar lighter, as one would expect in a decently engineered sports car. This small gadget is useful as a wander lead can be plugged in to provide light at night, or one of the motorised foot pumps can be plugged in when checking tyre pressures on a weekly basis.
This is one of the finest small cars that have come our way for a test drive. Subjectively, I was totally enamoured with this lovely little Abarth.
Verdict
Comfort
This is in reality a sports car and yet it gets four stars for comfort.
Handling
The wow factor sweeps in.
Five stars for handling.
Performance
Fast enough for normal, or abnormal road use.
Cool
Yes, the ‘cool’ factor is a distinct plus.
Quality
Well up to the standards expected from a 210kph vehicle.
At a glance
Top speed
210km/h.
0-100km
6.7 seconds
Economy
Combined, 6.5 litres per 100km.
C02
151 g/km.
Engine
Four in-line cylinders, displacing 1,368 cc.
Power
160bhp at 5,500rpm. Maximum torque 230Nm at 3,000 rpm in sport mode.
Dimensions
Length, 3,657cm. Width 1,893 with mirrors extended. Height, 1,485cm.