Fiat has already put the premium Lounge in base Cooper territory ($20K). Unless there is a turbo non-Abarth model, I could certainly see the entry level Abarth still running $24k.
The issue with saying the Abarth is a step up from the Lounge is that its really a step up from the Sport. They are not evolving the Lounge model into the Abarth model. They are evolving the Sport model.
Here's a list of unique features to explain this:
*Auto A/C vs Standard A/C - $150 to Lounge
*Premium Seats (leather opt) vs Sport Seats - no monetary advantage
*15" setup vs 16" setup - $250 to Sport
*6-Speed Auto vs 5-speed Manual - $1000 to Lounge
*Body kit vs Sport Body kit (w/ spoiler) - $100 to Sport
*Steering wheel vs Sport wheel - $50 to Sport
*Black vs Red Calipers - no monetary advantage
*Standard Susp vs Sport Susp - $250 to Sport
*Alarm System - $150 to Lounge
*Chrome Accents - $50 to Lounge
*Fixed Glass Roof - $500 to Lounge
*Sirius Radio - $150 to Lounge
The values are approximations of value of one feauture over a like feature on the same model (in terms of construction cost). Caliper paint (whether black or red) equals out as do the seat quality (they are about the same, though the Lounge allows a leather upgrade) and the different body kits. I might give the Sport $100 for the spoiler, just to be nice. Lets call it $2000 vs $650. So you pay a $2000 difference for $1350 worth of difference + the ability to get into some leather ($650 + cost is a huge premium for that right, if you ask me). At any rate, most of the cost is the glass roof and transmission here. That will NOT be standard on the Abarth, I can assure you.
So think of the Abarth as a sub-$4k upgrade on the Sport. If they follow the trend of the EU 500, then there won't be a real difference in the interior except the scorpion on the steering wheel and slightly sportier seats. The shocks/springs might be a tad more aggressive, but not much and it won't be an expensive factory difference. You and I can buy a complete turbo kit for a small engine (i.e. miata or such) for less than $3k new. The factory is only looking at little more than half that for parts/developmental costs (max $1750).
Ya'll see where I'm going with this?
