Abarth 500

Which Abarth 500 Version Should You Buy?

The choice divides into two distinct Cabrio generations. The first generation, produced from 2010 to 2016, offers twelve listed versions built around a 1,368 cc Gasoline turbo engine, FWD and either a five-speed Manual or five-speed Robotic gearbox. Outputs range from 135 hp to 160 hp.

The choice divides into two distinct Cabrio generations. The first generation, produced from 2010 to 2016, offers twelve listed versions built around a 1,368 cc Gasoline turbo engine, FWD and either a five-speed Manual or five-speed Robotic gearbox. Outputs range from 135 hp to 160 hp. The second generation, available from June 2023, has one listed version: the electric 500e Scorpionissima AT, with 155 hp, 235 Nm, a one-speed Automatic transmission and FWD. Buyers prioritising lower kerb weight, a conventional engine or multiple gearbox choices should compare the first-generation cars; those wanting the quickest listed acceleration and zero listed CO2 should consider the second generation.

Abarth 500 generations compared

The first-generation Abarth 500 Cabrio ran from 2010 through 2016 and contains twelve database entries. Every version uses a front-transverse, four-cylinder Inline 1,368 cc Gasoline engine with Turbo, four valves per cylinder and Distributed injection (multi-point). Depending on version, the engine produces 135 hp, 140 hp or 160 hp. The available transmissions are five-speed Manual and five-speed Robotic, always with FWD.

The second-generation Cabrio began in June 2023. Its sole listed modification is the 500e Scorpionissima AT, an Electro version producing 155 hp and 235 Nm through a one-speed Automatic gearbox and FWD. Displacement, cylinder count, cylinder layout and boost are not measured because the supplied catalogue contains no figures for those fields. Compared with the first generation’s strongest versions, it has 5 hp less but 1 Nm more torque. Its 7-second 0–100 km/h time is 0.4 seconds quicker than the best first-generation figure, although its 155 km/h maximum speed is 55 km/h lower.

Abarth 500 engine and gearbox specs

Repeated names below remain separate entries because their recorded kerb or gross weights differ. Power density is calculated only for the 1,368 cc Gasoline versions; it is not applicable to the electric model because displacement is not measured.

Among the Gasoline choices, moving from 135 hp to 160 hp adds 25 hp and 24 Nm. The 140 hp specification adds 5 hp over the 135 hp engine but records 4 Nm less torque. The 160 hp specification delivers 117.0 hp per litre, compared with 102.3 hp per litre for the 140 hp versions and 98.7 hp per litre for the 135 hp versions.

Abarth 500 performance, 0–100 and economy

The first-generation 160 hp 1.4 MTA, 1.4 MTA San Marino, 1.4 MT Competezione, 1.4 MT Turismo and 1.4 MTA Turismo record the generation’s joint-best 0–100 km/h time of 7.4 seconds and a top speed of 210 km/h. The 140 hp 1.4 MT Scorpione matches both figures despite its lower output. The 160 hp 1.4 MT San Marino takes 7.6 seconds and reaches 209 km/h.

Both 135 hp 1.4 MT entries reach 100 km/h in 7.9 seconds and have a 205 km/h top speed. Their combined consumption is 6.5 L/100 km, highway consumption is 5.4 L/100 km, and city consumption is respectively 8.5 and 8.6 L/100 km. The two 140 hp 1.4 MTA entries take 8.1 seconds and reach 205 km/h; both record 6.5 L/100 km combined, 5.4 L/100 km on the highway and 8.4 L/100 km in the city.

The 1.4 MT Scorpione records 7.9 L/100 km in the city, 5.4 L/100 km on the highway and 6.5 L/100 km combined. City and highway figures for the 160 hp 1.4 MTA, 1.4 MT San Marino, 1.4 MTA San Marino, 1.4 MT Competezione, 1.4 MT Turismo and 1.4 MTA Turismo are not measured; their combined figure is 6.5 L/100 km. CO2 output for every first-generation version is not measured.

The 500e Scorpionissima AT is quickest to 100 km/h at 7 seconds, but its maximum speed is 155 km/h. Fuel consumption is not measured, while its listed CO2 figure is 0. Against the 7.4-second first-generation leaders, it gains 0.4 seconds in acceleration but gives away 55 km/h in maximum speed.

Abarth 500 weight, dimensions and practical specs

Overall exterior dimensions, ground clearance and wheel sizes are not measured for any listed Abarth 500 version.

At 1,035 kg, the 1.4 MT Competezione, one 1.4 MT San Marino entry and the 1.4 MT Turismo are the lightest listed cars. Each produces 160 hp, giving all three the best calculated ratio of 6.47 kg/hp. The 500e Scorpionissima AT weighs 1,400 kg, which is 365 kg more than those lightest versions and yields 9.03 kg/hp.

All first-generation versions have a 35 L tank. Tank capacity for the 500e Scorpionissima AT is not measured. Every version uses independent spring front suspension and semi-independent spring rear suspension. First-generation cars have ventilated disc brakes at both ends; the 500e Scorpionissima AT combines ventilated front discs with rear discs.

Which Abarth 500 version should you buy?

For the strongest first-generation acceleration-to-weight combination, the 1.4 MT Competezione is the clearest numerical choice: 160 hp, 234 Nm, 1,035 kg, 6.47 kg/hp, 7.4 seconds to 100 km/h and 210 km/h. The 1.4 MT Turismo produces identical power and performance at the same kerb weight, while its gross weight is 1,425 kg rather than 1,435 kg. The 1,035 kg entry of 1.4 MT San Marino has the same 6.47 kg/hp ratio but takes 7.6 seconds and tops out at 209 km/h.

For a Robotic gearbox, the 160 hp 1.4 MTA, 1.4 MTA San Marino and 1.4 MTA Turismo all provide 234 Nm and a 7.4-second 0–100 km/h time. The lighter 1.4 MTA San Marino and 1.4 MTA Turismo entries weigh 1,045 kg and achieve 6.53 kg/hp, compared with 1,075 kg and 6.72 kg/hp for the other 160 hp 1.4 MTA entry.

For the lowest recorded city consumption, choose the 1.4 MT Scorpione: its 7.9 L/100 km figure is 0.5 L/100 km below the 140 hp 1.4 MTA entries, 0.6 below one 135 hp 1.4 MT entry and 0.7 below the other. It also records 7.4 seconds to 100 km/h and 210 km/h, matching the headline performance of several 160 hp cars. However, city consumption for those 160 hp alternatives is not measured, so the data cannot establish that the Scorpione is more economical than every version.

For the quickest acceleration, the second-generation 500e Scorpionissima AT wins with 7 seconds to 100 km/h. It also has the highest listed torque at 235 Nm and CO2 of 0. Its trade-offs are a 1,400 kg kerb weight and a 155 km/h top speed. Price, reliability, engine-oil requirements and offers for sale are not measured, so none can support a version recommendation from this catalogue data.