General 500 Abarth Gearbox confusion

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General 500 Abarth Gearbox confusion

barrymac

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I'm confused!! I've given fiat my deposit for a 500 Abarth but I'm confused slightly over spec! Auto Express and various other car mags have said that the car will be offered with a 6spd manual transmission as with the GP Abarth.... but on the official Fiat specification pdf it's stated the 500 Abarth will only come with a 5spd manual which is a bit backwards imho - Suppose it'll be similar to the GP T-jet sporting which only comes with a 5spd box yet the standard 1.4 16v models come with a 6spd. I really like the 6spd box it would be a shame not to have it :(
 
Just received my latest copy of EVO mag throught the post, they have tested the Abarth in Italy...... 5 speed box. Shame.
 
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At least the 5 speed means you can revert to practising 3 point turns as opposed to the 9 point variety the 6 speed offers.

Abarth Nuneaton have taken 4 deposits so far and almost a 5th, but I resisted. Love to have one, but have to dispose of a 300bhp BMW first which is not proving too easy given current climate of petrol/tax/everything....
 
He he I got rid of a 500bhp bmw before my 500 simply couldn't justify almost £600 a month on petrol - I hate this country. I know people moan about the 6 speed box reducing turning circle etc who cares!! IMO the 6 speed box just has a much better positive feel to it. And anyway my money says that if fitted with the 17's the turning circle will suffer anyway ;) I'm gonna keep my deposit on it but I want to drive it first anyway as I wonder how it will feel with a turbocharged engine. Half the fun of my 100hp or my 500 is ragging it to the red line to make progress and this is IMO an unwritten rule on how to make progress in a proper small italian car!
 
With a turbo engine there is no need for so many gears as the torque makes up for it. For every gear you add to a gearbox you lose 2-3% efficiency as well. Just remember that while you're shifting your car isn't going forward any faster. 6 speed = more shifting.
 
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With a turbo engine there is no need for so many gears as the torque makes up for it. For every gear you add to a gearbox you lose 2-3% efficiency as well. Just remember that while you're shifting your car isn't going forward any faster. 6 speed = more shifting.

Completely agree but i just feel the 6sp box has a much more positive feel to it. In fact it was the main reason why I bought the 1400 over the 1200 or MJ.
 
there is simply not enoughth room to use the m20 3 shafter gatrag 6 speed box in the 1.4 turbo 500 were as there is in the g/p

how ether the 6 speed box used in the 500 1.4 16v is a 514 derived box and is only capable of handling 100hp not 150 and 200 od torques it would simply cost to mch to develope the 6 speed 514 for the power were as they already have a 5 speed 514 capable of it in the g/p turbo

and also as said already light car turbo power it's really uneccessary power band is much larger
 
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