Fiat 500 Abarth Comes With Richard Petty Driving Experience

[AutoGuide.com]

Fiat has finally announced the pricing on their 500 Abarth model for the American market, starting at $22,000 and will include a segment-exclusive, full-day Abarth driving experience.

The 500 model that's been "designed for track-day enthusiasts and driving purists who want the ultimate high-performance small car at an attainable price," the 500 Abarth is powered by a 1.4L MultiAir Turbo engine with 160-hp and 170 lb-ft of torque. The rest of the vehicle has also been tweaked for a truly sporty driving experience, including Abarth-tuned suspension, brake systems, dual exhaust, turbo-boost gauge with integrated LED shift light and 16-inch wheels.

Fiat will throw in an Abarth Driving Experience for new owners, offering them the opportunity to attend a segment-exclusive driving experience at no additional charge. The Abarth Driving Experience features a full day of driving training with instructors from the Richard Petty Driving Experience in a safe and structured setting.

More: Fiat 500 Abarth Comes With Richard Petty Driving Experience on Autoguide.com

[SoCal Fiat Club]

I wonder how similar this will be to the SRT driving experience that Chrysler had been including with their SRT lines.. I'm assuming its very similar.

[JAFA500]

I checked out RP driving school. I Didn't like it. Not enough driving time, and you're on an oval not road course

[Azzurro]

[epb]

Anyone know what this would normally cost? Seems like these are typically $800-1000, so that's a nice freebie.

[NHFiat500]

I can turn left... turn left... turn left... really fast in my own driveway in my 500 sport. No need to pay for that experience

[JAFA500]

I do have to say. My wife got me laps at homestead speedway in a nascar. I thought I'd hate it, but doing 160 on the straights was a blast.

Still not a fan of turning left, except when I'm in the car

[blefevre]

I think you guys have this all wrong.

It says it's a driving instruction "with instructors from the RP driving school". I really doubt that this is the Nascar driving lesson. The RP attends tracks around the entire US so I think they are using their instructors to do a special "Abarth Driving Experience" that will be available to most people that buy the car. They are just going though the RP school because they operate at tracks around the US already. I doubt Fiat is so stupid that they put you in an Abarth on an oval and call it good.....

[VTEC Mini]

I do have to say. My wife got me laps at homestead speedway in a nascar. I thought I'd hate it, but doing 160 on the straights was a blast.

Still not a fan of turning left, except when I'm in the car

I went to a NASCAR driving school where I lived. It is everything but boring. I was so pumped up on speed and adrenaline that my wife would not let me drive home!

I am curious on those who made these comments of "boring" or "that sucks" has ever been to one of these schools on a track...

[JAFA500]

I went to a NASCAR driving school where I lived. It is everything but boring. I was so pumped up on speed and adrenaline that my wife would not let me drive home!

I am curious on those who made these comments of "boring" or "that sucks" has ever been to one of these schools on a track...

Read my comment again