General Abarth 500 Rant

[OPC]

Abarth might be a stand alone company, but to be honest, it's just marketing bullsh*t. My car has "Grande Punto Abarth" on the handbook, not "Abarth Grande Punto" and it has Fiat plastered all over every bit of glass. It is the performance version of the GP, just like the 197 is the performance version of the Clio.

This doesn't bother me, as I like Fiats, always have done and IMO some of the best Abarths have been developed under Fiat ownership. I just find all the marketing and them trying to distance themselves from Fiat quite amusing. Maybe they should of just sold Abarth cars through every Fiat dealer, as some people seem to be put off by the lack of dealers. After all, you could of always bought a Strada Abarth 130TC from any Fiat dealer and that differed a lot more from the standard Strada than the GPA / 500A do to the GP / 500.

 

[white 500]

the prior posts have sort of explained what i was trying to say. simply in "cars on the road" terms abarth is nothing other than the name put on fast fiats just like fords st or the mini cooper. tbh i think we will see "normal" fiat dealers buying and registering abarth car's and selling them as new on forecourts or say for instance the local fiat franchise have an abarth dealer within there network abarth cars can and probably will be brought in to other none abarth showrooms.

 

[simer]

Abarth might be a stand alone company, but to be honest, it's just marketing bullsh*t.

I'll second that - but by the same token it is highly seductive marketing bullsh*t!

 

[RobW]

I'll second that - but by the same token it is highly seductive marketing bullsh*t!

The same could be argued about the Fiat 500 in general - cynics would argue that it is in just a Panda in retro clothing...

Abarth is a strong brand recognised by Italian car enthusiats and petrolheads in general.

Fiat are capitalising on this and the competition activities will enhance brand strength.

The Abarth 500 Assetto Corsa was there for all to see at the ROC last weekend.

 

[grimwau]

things will change when Abarth win the WRC in 2010

Probably have a good chance now most of the others have pulled out.

 

[RobW]

Probably have a good chance now most of the others have pulled out.

only the losers have pulled out

 

[Nuova500]

Thing is, surely as the last proper Abarth was the Strada 130TC, which was last sold some 20 odd years ago.... most people will only remember Abarth for some dubious bodykits on small Fiats of the 90s and the dreadful Stilo Abarth?
Only us old folk will appreciate the true meaning of Abarth

With the 500, it is a Panda in a posh frock, but a lovely frock it is!
Bit like saying would you like Gemma Atkinson in either jeans and a sweatshirt (panda) or thigh length boots, mini skirt and crop top (500)

 

[OPC]

Probably have a good chance now most of the others have pulled out.

With the rule changes coming into force for the 2010 season, they could have a very good chance. Just like when Lancia used the HF4WD and integrale for Group A, when Group B was banned. The birth of another icon?

 

[Nuova500]

Itll make WRC worth watching for sure, I hate all these little Jap cars and Citroens

 

[Hellcat]

Gemma Atkinson in either jeans and a sweatshirt (panda) or thigh length boots, mini skirt and crop top (500)

What were we talking about?

 

[[email protected]]

With the 500, it is a Panda in a posh frock, but a lovely frock it is!
Bit like saying would you like Gemma Atkinson in either jeans and a sweatshirt (panda) or thigh length boots, mini skirt and crop top (500)

NP, off topic and its great ! Congratulations for adding interest to a much meandering post.

 

[grimwau]

Bit like saying would you like Gemma Atkinson in either jeans and a sweatshirt (panda) or thigh length boots, mini skirt and crop top (500)

Any pics? Just the boots one will be alright.

 

[OPC]

Who's Gemma Atkinson?

 

[RobW]

most people will only remember Abarth for some dubious bodykits on small Fiats of the 90s

ha ha yes i remember you telling Emily off about her Abarth kitted Cinq...

 

[white 500]

Who's Gemma Atkinson?

20 ish top heavy blonde bird who used to be on hollyoaks but now appears on the cover of most mens mags most months

 

[alainmengoli]

panda

Fiat 500

and I must add Fiat 500 Abarth essesse

not sure which parts come with the essesse kit

 

[Heidi]

Men!

 

[alainmengoli]

Sorry couldn't resist, bit childish. :worship:

 

[RobW]

Nsfw!!!

 

[Nuova500]

Its OK, thats tame enough for work... Ill have all three please

Rob, I never told Emily off... you must be thinking of someone else, it werent me!