2015 Fiat 500 Abarth automatic targets broader appeal

Tue, 24 Jun 2014

There aren't many manual-transmission-only offerings on the US market, and now there's one fewer. The 2015 Fiat 500 Abarth has just gone into production with a newly available automatic option.

We've known that the hair-raising, high-performance Cinquecento has been scheduled to get a two-pedal setup for some time, but now we have more specifics on the gearbox itself. According to Fiat, the six-speed automatic is derived from the same Aisin unit used in the standard 500, but it's been substantially reengineered to cope with the 1.4-liter MultiAir turbo engine's added power. Allison Singer, a vehicle integration engineer on the 500 Abarth's development program tells Autoblog that the modifications to the gearbox include "gears that have been reinforced and a few extra clutch plates," among other changes. Unfortunately, there are no paddle shifters, as the 500's steering wheel was not designed to accommodate them, but at least there's a +/- manual gate on the gearshift lever.

Interestingly, the automatic brings with it substantially different power numbers than its manual counterpart. The new model receives 157 horsepower and 183 pound-feet of torque, which is 3 horsepower less than the manual, yet it packs a whopping 13 pound-feet more torque, which should aid drivability. By comparison, the five-speed manual 2015 Abarth registers 160 hp and up to 170 lb-ft. New features that come with the auto include a dedicated sport mode, rev-matched downshifts, fuel-cut upshifts, shift logic that holds gears in corners and 'fast-off' situations, along with sharper throttle tuning. Despite the added torque, Singer admits that "The manual will probably be a tiny bit quicker as far as performance goes," but she is confident that the transmission's availability will open the car up to a much broader market of buyers.

Ariel Gavilan, Head of Communications for Fiat North America, concurs, telling Autoblog, "There are some young kids who might not know how to drive a manual... yet [with the automatic] they still won't miss the essence of Abarth." That widened appeal should help improve Abarth sales, which are already on a solid upswing, with sales up 16 percent year-to-date through the end of May, according to Gavilan.

All 2015 model-year 500s feature a new seven-inch screen (like that of the battery-powered 500e) that replaces the analog gauges in last year's instrument cluster, among other minor changes.

2015 500 Abarth models in both hardtop and convertible bodystyles have begun rolling off the line at Fiat's Toluca Assembly Plant in Mexico as you read this, and production of the first auto-equipped 500 Turbo models (which share the Abarth's powertrain without most of its visual upgrades and hardcore suspension) are also getting underway.

Production Begins for 2015 Fiat 500 Abarth with New Automatic Transmission

Specially tuned automatic transmission maintains high-performance legacy of Abarth models while delivering accessible performance to more customers
Six-speed automatic transmission is paired with the 1.4-liter MultiAir Turbo engine to deliver up to 183 ft.-lb. of torque and 157 horsepower

2015 Fiat 500 lineup features interior updates and arrives in studios later this summer

June 23, 2014 , Auburn Hills, Mich. - The high-performance 2015 Fiat 500 Abarth and Abarth Cabrio, now offering an optional six-speed automatic transmission, begins production today at Toluca Assembly Plant in Toluca, Mexico.

The Abarth's optional six-speed automatic transmission, new for 2015, is mated to the track-proven 1.4-liter MultiAir Turbo engine to deliver up to 183 ft.-lb. of torque and 157 horsepower.

To ensure the 2015 Fiat 500 Abarth and Abarth Cabrio remain true to their high-performance and track-ready heritage, the six-speed automatic transmission has been reinforced with more clutch plates and a more robust heat treatment to allow for higher torque capability. The Sport mode calibration allows for an even more engaged driving experience with special features such as fuel-cut upshifts, rev-matching downshifts, brake-assist downshifts, corner gear hold and fast-off gear hold, as well as a more aggressive pedal map.

"Accessible performance has always been a hallmark of the Abarth name," said Jason Stoicevich, Head of FIAT Brand for North America, Chrysler Group LLC. "Now, with the addition of an optional automatic transmission, an entirely new group of customers will be able to experience the thrill of driving the Fiat 500 Abarth lineup. Fiat 500 Abarth sales increased more than 16 percent during this year, and we expect this sales success to continue with the launch of this new automatic transmission."

Production also begins today for the 2015 Fiat 500 Turbo, which features an optional automatic transmission for this model year. The full 2015 Fiat 500 lineup, with interior updates such as an innovative instrument panel with a 7-inch high-definition color display, will arrive at FIAT studios later this summer.

FIAT brand sales were up 18 percent in May, its best ever monthly sales since the brand returned to the U.S. market in 2011. It was the brand's sixth-consecutive month of year-over-year sales gains. Sales for the Fiat 500 Abarth lineup have increased by more than 16 percent during 2014.

About FIAT Brand

The FIAT brand stands for discovery through passionate self-expression. It encourages people to be in charge of their lives, live confidently and celebrate the smallest of things with infectious excitement. That philosophy is embodied by the North American introduction of the iconic Fiat 500 or Cinquecento – a small car that lives big. Italian at heart and rooted in a rich heritage, the 500 is synonymous with modern, simple design blending form, function and a pride of ownership that is genuine.

Reminiscent of the original 1957 Cinquecento, the Fiat 500 and Fiat 500c (Cabrio) build on the vehicle's global popularity. Since its launch in 2007, more than 1,000,000 Fiat 500 vehicles have been sold in more than 100 countries around the world. In addition to success on the sales front, the Fiat 500 has earned more than 80 international awards.

In North America, the FIAT brand portfolio continues to expand with the introduction of the high-performance Fiat 500 Abarth and Abarth Cabrio, the fully electric Fiat 500e and the Fiat 500L, an all-new five-passenger model that expands FIAT's brand style and efficiency into the growing B-segment.

By Chris Paukert