[smoove7410]

Has anyone heard any info on what transmissions will be offered here? The Abarth 500c utilizes the “ABARTH Competizione” gearbox shown below. Also, any new info on dates?

 

[RossoMan]

while that looks way cool, it also looks EXPENSIVE! my guess on the Abarth selling price of $23-24K just went up to $26K!

 

[tommy]

I can't imagine them not offering a real manny on the Abarth. Maybe they view the Abarth 500c as more the chick version.

I am in love with that steering wheel, though.

 

[RossoMan]

i am in love with that steering wheel, though.

oh yea!!!!!!!!!!!!! :d

 

[smoove7410]

I personally prefer the ABARTH Competizione gearbox....LA traffic is a nightmare.

 

[tommy]

Oh, suck it up - north Jersey isn't a picnic either.

 

[kennyrayandersen]

fairies and chicks drive automatics! I got a Fortwo for commuting, the Abarth is for driving!

 

[geeded]

I've heard both 5-speed & 6-speed manual....don't know about the auto, but IF available, probably the 6-speed one in use in the USA. Same one the MINI uses so it should be good for the power of the Abarth.

Myself, I live in the mountains of Western NC with some of the best roads in the world. I have one on deposit and living here, anything other than a manual would be heresy of the first magnitude. YMMV

 

[psilo110]

pretty sure all Abarth in North America will be clutch-less, with paddle shift.

 

[andyandrews]

I didn't take the time to research the specifics of this clutch-less system. However, whatever you may call it, either it has a direct physical connection through the powertrain, or it doesn't (e.g., a fluid coupling). If it doesn't, that is equivalent to an automatic transmission, and is designed for a certain class of drivers.

That's fine for that class of drivers, but it is not acceptable to enthusiasts. I remember when the Lexus IS 300 came out with only an automatic transmission, it got laughed off the street.

 

[andyandrews]

O.k., I checked this is a manual transmission. But to me it's a joke. It's overly complicated, and derives from the racing world, where that system might help you win a race, by saving a fraction of a second here and there. But racers have a whole team of mechanics backing them up. Learn to shift with a clutch - the physics of it are simple. After a few thousand miles, the act of shifting becomes ... automatic!

Operating a manual is easy for anyone of reasonable IQ. You don't need a topgun mechanism of complicated electronics and servos to do it for you! And there is no way to repair these subsystems when they go bad, it'll be four-figure replacement parts - plus labor.

 

[geeded]

O.k., I checked this is a manual transmission. But to me it's a joke. It's overly complicated, and derives from the racing world, where that system might help you win a race, by saving a fraction of a second here and there. But racers have a whole team of mechanics backing them up. Learn to shift with a clutch - the physics of it are simple. After a few thousand miles, the act of shifting becomes ... automatic!

Operating a manual is easy for anyone of reasonable IQ. You don't need a topgun mechanism of complicated electronics and servos to do it for you! And there is no way to repair these subsystems when they go bad, it'll be four-figure replacement parts - plus labor.

Yeah, this "automated manual" was such a hit in the Abarth 500c that they now offer a regular manual transmission in the car for $1000 less due to buyer demand.

Manuals rule, autos drool.....(assuming you don't live in a big city, in which case you have my sympathies).

 

[Triumph]

Have you seen the shifters on some of these rally cars? It is the same principal as a motor cycle. 1 up 4 down with neutral <> 1st and 2nd with a regular clutch pedal. The shifter is an actual lever. That would be pretty trick IMO.

 

[smoove7410]

Well, I like the transmission, and yes, I have owned multiple manual cars.

 

[fjhuerta]

My fearless guess - if the Abarth really looks like that when it comes out, it'll be priced pretty close to a Cooper S Chili

 

[aktarus]

My fearless guess - if the Abarth really looks like that when it comes out, it'll be priced pretty close to a Cooper S Chili

I did that reasoning.
Here we have this price list for the base models:

500 Twinair 0.9: 13.000 € ($ 18.846)
500 Pop 1.2: 11.900 € ($ 17.252)
500 Lounge 1.4: 15.600 € ($ 22.616)

Abarth 500 1.4 135 hp: 18.900 € ($ 27.400)

So the price of 500 U.S. remains well below the 1.2 Pop in Italy, despite having a 1.4 MultiAir.
If they can maintain the same policy, I think the price of Abarth is more or less than $ 20.000, even calculating the engine a bit more powerful (I think you will have 170 hp).
However the price of the Cooper S is still around $ 24.000

 

[psilo110]

I remember when the Lexus IS 300 came out with only an automatic transmission, it got laughed off the street.

sorry I missed this 3 months ago.

At least the IS300 sedan had a manual months later, the wagon was auto only =P

hope this is not the case with the Abarth.

 

[geeded]

Good news future Abarth owners. According to Chris who runs fiat500usa.com and knows what is going on and what is OK to reveal, the NA Abarth WILL be available with a good ol' manual. He did NOT say whether it would be a 5 or 6-speed. I don't really care which, just that one is available. That was my buy/don't buy break point. I am doing my happy dance (which should not be seen by humans).

Huzzah! and Caio!

 

[Bullydog]

fairies and chicks drive automatics! I got a Fortwo for commuting, the Abarth is for driving!

LOL....a guy driving a Smart fortwo is calling automatic drivers fairies. You must look sooooo butch in your fortwo when you say that.

glass houses...

 

[PFVA63]

Hi

My fear is that a 170-180hp US Spec Abarth seems like it might be closer to a 158hp European Abarth Esseesse which looks like it may cost on the order of $35K (Australian) or ($36K+ USD) or so.

http://news.drive.com.au/drive/motor-news/first-drive-fiats-hottest-500-20110309-1bnda.html

Regards

Pat