The Fiat 500 lineup goes all-in on turbos for 2018, with the 1.4L MultiAir Turbo engine and a sportier appearance now standard on all models, offering an even more dynamic driving experience and more standard horsepower than any of its competitors.
The 2018 Fiat 500 lineup is available in three models: Pop, Lounge and the high-performance Abarth. Pop and Lounge models now come standard with the 1.4-liter MultiAir Turbo engine, which features a single turbocharger, twin intercoolers and a sport-tuned exhaust, and delivers 135HP and 150 lb-ft of torque. That’s 34 more horsepower than last year’s model, which is pretty impressive. The MultiAir Turbo engine is paired with a 5-speed manual transmission as standard, and a 6-speed automatic is available for those people who don’t like having fun.
Pop and Lounge models are updated with standard 16″ aluminum wheels, performance braking system, sport suspension and ParkView rear backup camera. Exterior updates include body-color front and rear fascias, side-sill ground effects, a sport spoiler, fog lamps and “Turbo” badging on the liftgate.
On the Fiat 500 Abarth models, the 1.4-liter MultiAir Turbo engine delivers up to 160 horsepower and 183 lb-ft of torque, while Abarth-tuned hardware offers a world-class ride and track-ready durability. Other unique Abarth features include a performance suspension, three-mode stability control with a torque transfer control system that maximizes throttle performance during on-throttle cornering, 16-inch Hyper Black aluminum wheels, and Pirelli tires with red brake calipers.
Inside, front performance seats feature a one-piece design with large side bolsters, a racing-harness pass through, accent stitching around the perimeter and integrated side-thorax air bags. Below the instrument panel, Abarth-designed aluminum pedal covers feature Nero rubber trim for a racy look.
I’ve driven the Fiat 500 Abarth on the track before, and it’s tons of fun. So if you can swing the price difference, I would highly recommend going with the Abarth. But the Pop and Lounge models aren’t bad choices either, especially with the power increase they receive for 2018.
The 2018 Fiat 500 is set to arrive at dealerships in the second quarter of this year.
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