Advertisement

2013 Fiat 500T: Is New Turbo Minicar Model An Abarth Alternative?

 
1,364 views Aug 17, 2012
Follow Antony

2013 Fiat 500 Turbo

HI-RES GALLERY: 2013 Fiat 500 Turbo
  • 2013 Fiat 500 Turbo
  • 2013 Fiat 500 Turbo
  • 2013 Fiat 500 Turbo
  • 2013 Fiat 500 Turbo
  • 2013 Fiat 500 Turbo
  • 2013 Fiat 500 Turbo

Fiat is introducing a new variant of the 500 retro minicar to sit between the base 1.4-liter model and the high-performance Abarth.

The 2013 Fiat 500 Turbo sits between the two other 500s, offering 135 horsepower and 150 lb ft. of torque from its turbocharged 1.4-liter MulitAir gasoline engine.

In essence, it's an Abarth in all but name--the body kit, sports suspension, brakes and engine itself are all found on the range-topping Abarth, just in a greater state of tune.


You lose the racing stripes and Abarth badge too of course, but as a result it might appeal to the less extrovert among us--while looking less cutesy than the regular car. Audiophiles will appreciate the segment-exclusive Beats by Dr. Dre audio system included as standard.

With an MSRP of $19,500, Fiat says it's one of the cheapest turbocharged cars on sale in the U.S. And with highway fuel efficiency of 34 mpg, it shouldn't cost too much to run either.

This turbo may still be more about performance than it is gas mileage, but when it arrives this fall it's sure to offer the attractive combination of a fun drive, good performance and decent gas mileage--while undercutting similar choices like the Honda CR-Z and Hyundai Veloster Turbo.

+++++++++++

Follow GreenCarReports on Facebook and Twitter.





Tags:
Posted in:
 
Contribute
Send us a tip Comment Contact the editor
Follow Us

 

Have an opinion?

  • Posting indicates you have read this site's Privacy Policy and Terms of Use
  • Notify me when there are more comments
Comments (6)

  1. fb_1001015277 avatar John Briggs Posted: 8/17/2012 11:07am PDT

    Seems strange that a car that small only gets 34 mpg on the highway. I know, I know, it is sporty and does 0-60 in a nanosecond... but still not very efficient.
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

     

  2. fb_61206378 avatar Antony Ingram Posted: 8/17/2012 12:19pm PDT

    I think, like the smart fortwo, average aerodynamics probably play a part. That said, a quick check on fueleconomy.gov reveals that people's average matches the highway figure, so presumably it's a little better overall than it looks.
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

  3. fb_1559222512 avatar Xiaolong Li Posted: 8/17/2012 2:04pm PDT

    Mini S has the same issue.

    According to your logic, why drive a Tesla S when the i-Miev is far more efficient. (5 miles per KWh vs. 3.1 miles per KWh).
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

     

  4. fb_1001015277 avatar John Briggs Posted: 8/19/2012 8:33am PDT

    Not quite what I was thinking.

    The Fiat is 34 mpg highway but you can get a Hyundai Elantra with 40 mpg highway and it is two class sizes larger (from mini-car to midsize).

    This is opposite the Model S to i-MiEV comparison in which case the larger vehicle is less efficient, as would be expected. And while we are at it, let's fix the numbers

    3.3 miles/KWH i-MiEV
    2.6 miles/KWH Model S

    Model S is only 25% less efficient which is not too bad considering how large and heavy it is.
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

     

  5. fb_1559222512 avatar Xiaolong Li Posted: 8/19/2012 11:36am PDT

    So, it is okay to be less efficient when it is larger and heavier? What about more capable? more range? more performance?
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

  6. fb_1559222512 avatar Xiaolong Li Posted: 8/19/2012 11:44am PDT

    EPA rating: 265 miles for 85KWh battery is 3.11 mi/KWh.
    62 miles for 16KWh battery is 3.875 mi/KWh.

    Those are the max range Tesla S, we don't know what the smaller sized battery range is by EPA rating..
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

 

Have an opinion?Join the conversation!

Advertisement
Get great deals on the 2013 FIAT 500!
By clicking above, you agree that your data will be subject to our Car Quotes Privacy Policy
Advertisement

Find Green Cars

Go!

Advertisement

More from High Gear Media

 
 
Green Car Reports
  • Follow Us
  • Twiiter
  • Facebook
 
 
© 2013 Green Car Reports. All Rights Reserved. Green Car Reports is published by High Gear Media. Send us feedback. Stock photography by Homestar, LLC.