- Enthusiastic engine has aural appeal
- Impressive grip makes for excellent handling
- Direct steering
- Open-top appeal
- Too-stiff suspension gives unsettled ride
- Some cheap interior details
Overview
Released in November 2011, the Abarth 500C Esseesse was a two-door, four-seat convertible with a retractable soft-top roof. Based on the Fiat 500C , the 500C Esseesse was powered by a 1.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine mated to a semi-automatic transmission (or clutchless sequential manual) with fully-automated and paddle shift modes.
Abarth was founded in Turin in 1949 as an Italian racing car maker but was acquired by Fiat in 1971. In 2007, Fiat revived the Abarth brand for its performance models – the Abarth 500C Esseesse was the second Abarth model to be sold in Australia following the release of the Abarth 500 Esseesse.
| Engine | Trans. | Peak power | Peak torque | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 500C Esseesse | 1.4-litre turbo petrol I4 | 5sp semi-auto | 118 kW at 5500 rpm | 201 Nm at 2750 rpm |
Safety equipment
Standard safety equipment for the Abarth 500C Esseesse included dual front airbags, a driver’s knee airbag, front side airbags, full-length curtain airbags, ABS, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, electronic stability control, traction control, anti-submarining front seats and front seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters.
Features
Standard features for the Abarth 500C Esseesse included 17-inch alloy wheels, a six sound system with MP3-compatibility and auxiliary input, climate control air conditioning, contoured sports seats, front fog lights, Bluetooth connectivity, steering wheel audio controls, split and folding rear seats, remote central locking, power windows and mirrors, a tilt adjustable steering wheel, height adjustable driver’s seat, tinted windows, tyre pressure monitoring, a trip computer and an immobiliser.
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