The Fiat 500 hatchback will be offered with only a turbocharged engine and gets a few cosmetic upgrades for the 2018 model year. The subcompact’s standard engine is now a 135-horsepower 1.4-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder, which also makes 150 lb-ft of torque. Fiat has dropped the normally aspirated version of the powerplant which was rated at 100 horsepower.
“With an all-turbo lineup, the iconic Fiat 500 now offers an even more dynamic driving experience and more standard horsepower than any of its competitors,” said Steve Beahm, head of passenger car brands at Fiat Chrysler Automobiles. “In fact, the entire Fiat brand lineup now comes standard with turbocharged power, adding to our roster of fun-to-drive, Italian-designed vehicles.”
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. Pop and Lounge models are also updated with standard 16-inch 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.
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More powerful Abarth
On the Fiat 500 Abarth models, the 1.4-liter MultiAir Turbo engine is tuned to deliver up to 160 horsepower and 183 lb-ft of torque. Other unique Abarth features include a performance suspension; 3-mode electronic stability control with a torque transfer control (TTC) system that maximizes throttle performance during on-throttle cornering; 16-inch Hyper Black aluminum wheels; and Pirelli tires with red brake calipers. An Abarth-designed concentric “double-tip” dual-exhaust system delivers a high-performance look with menacing Abarth-tuned sound. Customers who purchase or lease a Fiat 500 Abarth also receive – for no additional charge – a one-day high-performance driving session at the Bob Bondurant School of High Performance Driving.
The 500 lineup is being offered with three new colors for 2018 (late availability) – Brillante Red, Mezzanotte Blue Pearl and Vesuvio Black Pearl – for a total of 11 exterior paint schemes. Offered in coupe and convertible bodystyles, the 2018 Fiat 500 is available to order this month, with cars arriving in the second quarter.
