Performance Review: Fiat 500 1.4 T-Jet Abarth Essessee - [2008]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Fiat 500 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Fiat 500 1.4 T-Jet Abarth Essessee is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 2008. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2008 Ariel Atom V8 500 and the 2008 SSC Ultimate Aero TT.This particular Fiat 500 has a 1368cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 4 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St4's includes the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo

The 500 shares its Petrol St4 engine configuration with the likes of the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo and the 2013 Caterham 7 620 R 2.0 L Supercharged. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the 500's Front Wheel Drive, Hatchback combination then how about the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Golf R Performance 2.0 Turbo or the 2020 Toyota Avalon TRD 3.5 V6.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1035 kgs (2281 lbs) this makes the Fiat 500 1.4 T-Jet Abarth Essessee in the same weight category as the 2016 Abarth 124 Spider 1.4 Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Fiat 500 shares the same bhp with the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (134 bhp)

In terms of power the 1368cc 16V St4 engine produces 158 bhp (117 kW) @ 5750 rpm similar to the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (134 bhp) or the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (148 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated St4 throws out 170 lb-ft (230.4 Nm) @ 3000 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (162 lb-ft) or the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (184 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Fiat 500 you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VIII 260 (177.5 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Fiat 500.

The Fiat 500 has a Power to weight ratio of 152.6 bhp per ton and 164.2 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2008 500 competing with the 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VIII 260 (177.5 bhp per ton) or the 1968 Jensen Interceptor FF 6.3L V8 (177.5 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Fiat 500 generating around 164.2 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2007 BMW 1 Series 135i 2d Coupe M-Sport (189.1 lb-ft per ton) or the 2012 Subaru Legacy B4 2.0 GT DIT (189.1 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 6.90 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 7.1 secs, this made the Fiat 500 1.4 T-Jet Abarth Essessee as fast as the 2015 Audi TT 1.8 TFSI Coupe (6.90 secs) the 2013 Land-Rover Range Rover Sport 3.0 V6 Supercharged (6.90 secs) the 2012 Ford Fiesta ST 1.6 Turbo (6.90 secs) the or the 2009 Renault Clio 2.0 RenaultSport III 200 Cup (6.90 secs). This Fiat 500 1.4 T-Jet Abarth Essessee is also faster than the 2020 Alfa-Romeo Giulia 2.2 16v Turbo Diesel (7.00 secs) the 2015 Mazda MX5 2.0i Roadster Coupe (7.00 secs) the 2013 Seat Leon SC 1.8 FR Start-Stop DSG (7.00 secs) the and the 2012 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTi Cabriolet DSG (7.00 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 500 and the 1988 BMW 3 Series M3 Evolution E30

When talking about the performance of the Fiat 500 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 15.11 secs @ 90.5 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1988 BMW 3 Series M3 Evolution E30 (15.04 secs), the 2003 Nissan 350Z Coupe (15.04 secs), and the 2004 Audi TT 3.2 V6 Quattro (15.06 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2008 version of the Fiat 500 1.4 T-Jet Abarth Essessee has a maximum speed of 131mph.

Top Speed of the 2008 500 equals the 2015 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTD 2.0 TDI DSG (142 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2008 Fiat 500 1.4 T-Jet Abarth Essessee then how about the 2015 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTD 2.0 TDI DSG (142 mph), the 2013 Seat Leon SC 2.0 TDI FR (142 mph), or the 2013 Lexus IS 350 (142 mph).

Related Links:

2008 500 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Fiat

Car Comparison