Performance Review: Abarth 500 1.4 Turbo - [2008]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Abarth 500 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Abarth 500 1.4 Turbo 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 Abarth 500 has a 1368cc Turbo 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 1120 kgs (2469 lbs) this makes the Abarth 500 1.4 Turbo in the same weight category as the 2020 Lotus Exige Sport 410 Roadster 3.5 V6 or the give or take 50kg.

The Abarth 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 133 bhp (99 kW) @ 5500 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 Turbo St4 throws out 152 lb-ft (206.0 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 2018 Abarth 595 Turismo 1.4 Turbo (170 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

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

The 1991 Alfa-Romeo 164 2.0 V6 Turbo (143.7 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Abarth 500.

The Abarth 500 has a Power to weight ratio of 118.7 bhp per ton and 135.7 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2008 500 competing with the 1991 Alfa-Romeo 164 2.0 V6 Turbo (143.7 bhp per ton) or the 1957 Jaguar XK 150 SE Fixed Head Coupe (143.7 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 Abarth 500 generating around 135.7 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 2011 Alfa-Romeo Mito 170 Quadrifoglio Verde (160.6 lb-ft per ton) or the 1964 Austin-Healey 3000 MKIII BJ8 (160.6 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 7.60 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 7.9 secs, this made the Abarth 500 1.4 Turbo as fast as the 2013 BMW i3 0.6l Hybrid (7.60 secs) the 2011 Abarth 500C 1.4 Turbo (7.60 secs) the 2011 Fiat Punto Evo Abarth 1.4 Turbo (7.60 secs) the or the 2010 Peugeot 308 1.6 GTi (7.60 secs). This Abarth 500 1.4 Turbo is also faster than the 2010 Citroen DS4 200 1.6 Turbo (7.70 secs) the 2006 Volkswagen-VW Polo 1.8T GTi (7.70 secs) the 2005 Audi Q7 4.2 V8 (7.70 secs) the and the 2005 Mitsubishi Colt CZT 1.5 Turbo (7.70 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 500 and the 1986 BMW 3 Series M3 E30

When talking about the performance of the Abarth 500 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 16.4 secs @ 83.4 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1986 BMW 3 Series M3 E30 (16.34 secs), the 2002 Jaguar S Type 4.2 V8 SE (16.34 secs), and the 1999 Peugeot 206 2.0 GTi 180 (16.35 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2008 version of the Abarth 500 1.4 Turbo has a maximum speed of 127mph.

Top Speed of the 2008 500 equals the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (138 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2008 Abarth 500 1.4 Turbo then how about the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (138 mph), the 2008 Audi A3 2.0tdi Quattro S-Line (138 mph), or the 2004 Renault Clio 2.0 16V Renaultsport Trophy 182 (138 mph).

Related Links:

2008 500 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Abarth

Car Comparison