Fiat's Abarth to become more accessible

Fiat Australia is looking to make its next-generation Abarth models more accessible to customers.

Speaking at the local launch of the Series Four Fiat 500, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles Australia director of marketing and product strategy Zac Loo told motoring.com.au that the next-generation 500-based Abarth would be “much closer” to the updated 500 in price terms.

“With the new 500, the iconic look is the Lounge, so we’ve brought that down [in price, by $1000]. It fits in with our strategy for Abarth,” he explained.

Currently the cheapest way into an Abarth is the $34,000 (plus on-road costs) 595 Turismo, but we expect the new entry point to be around the $30,000 mark.

The previous-generation mid-spec 500 S had Abarth connections with its sportier credentials than other 500s, but has been dropped in the new range, further paving the way a cut-price — but bespoke — Abarth model, due “somewhere around mid-year,” according to Loo.

Commenting on the 0.9-litre TwinAir two-cylinder engine’s Australian market deletion, Loo said: “Local customer feedback showed the consensus preferred four cylinders.

"In other markets there’s a strong taxation benefit with the TwinAir’s fuel efficiency. We’re not closing the door on TwinAir, but at this stage we will continue with the four-cylinder cars.”

He also sees no need to investigate hybrid opportunities in the 500’s future.

“We have the [full electric] 500e in other markets [outside Australia], but the 500’s fuel efficiency is already exceptional. There’s a balance between adding weight and the cost versus benefit of the hybrid system. [Hybrid] won’t be in the near future,” he said.