Fiat Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari; Would You Consider It?

Sections: MF Poll | MINI Competitors Sep 9th, 2009 47 Comments

As MINI makes some final decisions on the MINI Rolls Royce edition that we told you about last summer, Fiat has gone ahead and released initial information and photos on it’s own co-branded small car. The Fiat Abarth 695 “Tributo Ferrari” was reportedly co-developed with Abarth (Fiat’s in house tuning arm) and Ferrari themsleves. Featuring a 180 hp 1.4L engine, exclusive semi-automatic transmission, 284mm Brembo brake discs, variable exhaust system and Scuderia Red, the 695 looks like it’ll make a huge splash at the Frankfurt IAA Motor Show.

So the question is, as a MINI fan, are you interested in it? The Fiat 500 isn’t the driver’s car the MINI is. It doesn’t have the handling feel or refinement but it does have tons of character. Oh and a little thing called value.

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Written By: Gabe

http://www.nathanielsalzman.com Nathaniel Salzman

Love that you guys are doing polling in posts now. Obviously grain-o-salt stuff, but a nice new feature for MF.
Sideways Eh!

Looks like the Dodge Caliber had a litter of piglets called the Fiat 500…I thought the Dodge looked like a pig…these things do have a certain “Awwwwwe” factor…However, I will stick to my BullDog stance and features thank you very much.

A
gokartride

I’d consider a plain ol’ Fiat 500 before any of the special editions. I got bored w/ driving fast.
Stephen

The front looks really nice, but the rear – yuck!
JonPD

Love the redesign of the 500, not a Mini by any stretch but still a fine little car. Also has a interior that makes the Mini (r55,r56,r57) look childish in comparison to my eye.

Have love for tribute cars, hence part of the reason for the GP I drive.
bee1000

I said yes because I think the 500 is an interesting car, but really I would only consider any 500 if it cost significantly less than a comparable Mini.
txdesign

Yes I would. This looks fresher to me than the current Mini which basically has had the same look since 02 and there are so many around. Depending on what the 3rd gen redesign looks like I may be tempted by an Abarth SS depending on pricing. Of course the whole Chrysler dealership/servicing issue remains to be resolved.
http://www.facebook.com/john.l.richards1 John Richards

Never say never and never prejudge. I am not saying I would give up my mini. Love any ride that is fun to drive.
Nick

This car looks very cool and lots of fun. I would have to give it a look anyway if it becomes available in the states. I loved my Fiat 124 Spider.
neuron

I like the 500, 180 hp would be cool, too. But the co-brand idea is silly. For me, the essence of small cars is they convey self confidence – you don’t need to drive a mega-ute or ultra-lux car to compensate for your inadequacies. Pairing with rolls or ferrari destroy that aura of coolness. Instead, they suggest “I wish I, too, could afford to be a barefoot pilgrim”.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1428674475 Richard Bowman

the front end looks unfinished. alfa looks better !
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=902505721 Josh Hway

I love the 500. And now its got Ferrari garnish! Even better! Bring it on Fiat!
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=548320534 Christian L.

I love red… and it’s most likely the only fiat to be aproved to have that copyrighted or trademarked ferrari red… OMG, such a pretty color…. and it is 180hp too! If this is 6 speed even if it’s semi-auto…doesn’t say if it’s supercharged or turbo either…
dbog

I’d be on this in a heart beat, even though I’m not particularly fond of specialty versions, Camdens, Sidewalks, etc. I do like the 500. It may not be as fast as a MINI but no one with any fuel in his veins would consider the MINI of any stripe particularly fast. Fun, yes, but fast, no. The real beauty of cars of this ilk are that they can be flogged at will with little interest from the po po. The 500 addresses the mindset of those who are in the market for a car of this character, mini-like but not necessarily a MINI. There will be many more competitors in this segment, and they will only get better. Mini can only go upmarket so far before they leave behind those who are looking for an interesting and affordable form of transportation.
KPH

Next time I’m in Italy I’ll look forward to renting one.
that.guy

180hp and big Brembos do not qualify as lipstick.
James Irmiger

Cheesy, yes. Ridiculously self indulgent, without a doubt. Would I buy one, heck yeah I’d buy one! Now, would I get rid of my MINI for one, no, never.

My father once told me I could sink tons of time and money in my old Volvo trying to make it better, but it would still be a Volvo! This 500 would be a blast to own, but underneath it all lies the heart of an economy car ;)
KipperFillets

There are a fair few Fiat 500′s around my area. I can’t say they look that good in the flesh, especially as they look just way too small compared to your average car. Having seen them on display at a shopping centre, with drip-trays underneath them, doesn’t inspire confidence that they are much better than any other Fiat. My biggest problem is usually with the people that buy them though, or more specifically how they drive… I rarely ever see a MINI driving too fast on a road, or coming up quickly behind you., trying to overtake. The cheaper “hot hatches” of Fiesta ST’s, Abarth 500′s and VW Polo’s however do. Cheaper fast cars generally mean younger and more inexperienced drivers thinking they own a ‘sports car’.
Cliff

Ferrari should hang it’s head in shame.
Poerboy

Stephen’s right- Front: Hello, Alissa Milano! Rear: Goodbye, Joan Rivers!
hardingsan

@ that.guy – AMEN!

i would also assume that if ferrari were putting there name on it they’d make sure the handling was up to snuff as well. far from a all show no go special edition, this has the makings of a true competitor…
Rocketboy_x

Would I consider a Fiat Abarth? After seeing the changes to the MINI, I considered it a long time ago.
Mk1

If the price is right, heck yeah. Fiat hasn’t wandered away from the Frank Stephension design, like MINI BMW has.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1536858748 Rob Rudorf

As MINI approaches 5 series pricing, I would certainly look at the 500. I’d take the Alfa MiTo over either without ever looking back. I owned a ’05 S that was the single worse car I have ever owned. More trans trouble among a list too long to put here has turned me away from the brand, hip or not. As much as you buy a MINI for handling and style they were and are not fast. Go drive a base WRX at around $25000 and experience 0-60 in 4.7 seconds and all-wheel drive. And the WRX’s hood scoop is functional, meaning it draws air over the intercooler.
http://www.motoringfile.com/ Gabe

If the price is right, heck yeah. Fiat hasnâ€™t wandered away from the Frank Stephension design, like MINI BMW has.

This is the second time I’ve seen this misconception about Frank Stephenson designing the Fiat 500. Mr. Stephenson is a very talented designer and design director but it was actualy Roberto Giolito who penned the Fiat Trepiuno concept car which was a thinly production Fiat 500. Mr. Stephenson was the head of all Fiat design when it was being refined for production.
C4

Guys and girls, remember that the Fiat 500 is around 500 pounds slimmer than your average bone stock R56 S and this thing is also more “mini” than the real MINI actually is. The power to weight ratio of the Abarth version may give the R56 S a real hard time.

In Italy, the 500 is killing MINI in the sales charts. Why? Aside for the “nationalistic” pride that may come attached to the 500, truth is the entry level 500 is cheaper than your MINI ONE and this explains why MINI has introduced further de-contented versions of the MINI to better cope against the Fiat.

The MINI fanbois like to diss the 500 as another cheap econobox. Don’t be so sure about that. MINI needs head on competition in this country to help them bring their astronomical prices right back down to earth and further improve on the product.

I can’t wait to see the 500 here.

PS: I like it because I can see the areas where Frank Stephenson added his touch to the 500. Long live the R53 and long live Frank Stephenson’s design legacy!!!
Stitch

If the MINI didn’t exist, I would definitely consider the 500 in any of its variations.
http://www.onetreeproducts.com jakay11

I like small hatches more than small coupes. Besides an R53, which I like better than the R56 due to better steering feel (even though its not as fast), I also have a 944 Turbo (with its rear hatch, you’d be amazed what can be stuffed in there).

Without driving either the Coopster or the 500, I’d be more inclined to the 500. But, that can change quickly after driving them though…
beken

The vote answers are so polarizing. I would look at it because I like cars in general but not likely buy one for myself. However, I do have friends that it might suit so I may recommend it to somebody else. I don’t think MINIs suit everybody either.
Brian

It looks freakin nice. Yes I would consider it alot. When would this come to the US?
Mk1

This is the second time Iâ€™ve seen this misconception about Frank Stephenson designing the Fiat 500.

Sorry, Gabe – seems the press is off too. From MotorAuthority: “You may not know him by name, but Frank Stephenson is the man responsible for the designs of the Mini Cooper, the Fiat 500 and the Alfa Romeo Mi.To – three of the most lauded hatchbacks of the last decade.” and Business Week: “He’s (Frank Stephenson) now working feverishly to bring out a new generation of cars at Fiat, including a remake of the historic Fiat 500, one of Europe’s hottest-selling cars in the 1960s.” and Consumer Guide: “The 2011 Fiat 500 was designed by Frank Stephenson, who also designed the Mini Cooper.” and U.S. News: 2011 Fiat 500… Configured by Frank Stephenson, the same person to design the MINI Cooper.” The Motor Report: “The man responsible for overseeing the design of the Fiat 500 is Frank Stephenson….” So you can see how I came to that conclusion.
Dual Minis

80 – 90% MINI fun + local dealer (not 2 hours away) = well worth a look
goat

The fact it is smaller than even the R53 MINI is what makes me love the Fiat. I have read it isn’t quite the serious handling machine the MINI is, but then again this is a special model with retuned suspension and a whole whack more HP. Just like there is a world of difference to the sports driver between a base Cooper non-sport suspension and a JCW with matched suspension, I’d expect the “top dog” 500 will be quite the driver’s car.

When the 500 comes to Canada I will definitely be taking one out for a good ripping test drive. Will it excite and satisfy like my R53 JCW does? I dunno, but as others above have said, it nails the “bespoke styling” requirement just like the R53 did – there is currently no new MINI that nails the aesthetics as well as even lower trim levels of the 500 do. So factoring in that the 500 looks more “precious” and more expensive than current MINIs for a LOWER PRICE, and it is easy to see why they are selling well. Now the Coopster may change all this, as it looks to restore MINI’s styling mojo. Good times!
JonPD

Frank Stephenson is as responsible for the 500 as Bangle was for BMW’s product. Just the head of a design shop, I expect both had some input but in the manufacturing world does design lay in one persons hands, while a person may affect the direction the end product is one of many talented people.

Having said this no doubt that Frank should still be recognized for being a part the Mini, Fiat 500, MiTo and F430
Dude!

While I was recently in Holland I got to sit in a Abarth edition. Loved it. Found it better looking in person and the quality very good.

It was a lot roomier that it looks also.

I’d buy but their plans to build in Mexico turns me off.

I also read that Frank S hand a lot to do with it’s design?
Axel Hernandez

Being an 02 MCS owner since its inception the 500 looks like the Mini when it came in 02, I’d buy it also specially that it weighs 500 lbs. THAT is a BIG differance in ANY car power to weight ratio!! Fiat if Mini does not bring the DIESEL I gather Ill jump ship an own ANOTHER POCKET rocket!!!
misslindsey

My better half, who thinks very little of the MINI styling (“it’s a girls’ car!”) says the 500 is no MINI and warned me it was just cheap and cute and had no further redeeming value like the MINI (he works at Chrysler). That said – I still want the Ferrari 500. I won’t get rid of my R56 though.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1145665586 DUDE!

“He works for Chrysler” That’s all you had to say.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1145665586 DUDE!

BTW…. I’d like to see any Chrysler beat even a Cooper!
C4

@misslindsey:

Sounds like your hubby has a strong case of “sour grapes” against anything Fiat because the Italianos are his new bosses. At least the know how to make cars that don’t fall apart within 2-3 years of purchase and that have some substance to them.

Funny to hear someone that worked at the old Chrysler diss a Fiat…LMAO.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1365900163 Dave Pevsner

scuderia rosso is a great color, but it’s not deserving of a prancing horse unless they shoehorn a bigger engine in there. i understand, yes the 500 doesn’t need a huge block because it’s a small car, but for ferrari-style thrills, it would be better with, say, a 1.8 putting out closer to 250 HP.

as is, it has hardly any more power than an MCS, and is considerably less potent than a cooper JCW. is that what ferrari, the name in high-performance driving, really want to put their name on?

i’ll bet you that if i can manage to swap the CVT in my mini out for a manual (in the plans, eventually), and do a few mods here and there (less than the cost of trading my mini in for a 500, even if they started selling it in the US, where i live) it could rip the tributo ferrari apart on both road and track.
C4

@Dave Pevsner:

Good luck to ya.
Mk1

iâ€™ll bet you that if i can manage to swap the CVT in my mini out for a manual (in the plans, eventually), and do a few mods here and there (less than the cost of trading my mini in for a 500, even if they started selling it in the US, where i live) it could rip the tributo ferrari apart on both road and track

Having driven a friends 500 Abarth in Europe, and a MINI (base) for 4 years… In your dreams. His 500 WAY outperformes my base MINI.
JonPD

Sweet, some new shots

Mini should take note of the interior shots. Maybe just me but is light years ahead of Mini on design. I look at this one unlike the current Mini interior (which looks like it was designed at Playschool) and am pretty well amazed by the 500.

http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/14/frankurt-preview-more-images-of-fiat-abarth-695-tributo-ferrar/
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=780739777 Chris Harte

I can’t wait for the 500 to come here. The 180 HP from a 1.4 is much more than the 172 from a 1.6 Fiat 695-128.57 HP/liter Mini S-107.5 HP/liter Factor in weight Cooper S R56 ~2579 Does this make the Fiat ~2079? Thats huge.
Ed Corsa 1000

I would buy one in a minute.I’ve been an Abarth fan since my days of racing an Abarth 1000 Corsa which I also used to drive on the street and terrorize sports cars with. I hope Fiat decides to bring it to the US. It would be way too much fun!
http://www.justmobilephone.com/ redsnow 4.3

a very smart car

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