And the winner is...500 Abarth

[ga.spyder]

I just got my new Road and Track ,and they tested 8 hot hatchs,econoboxes,or whatever you want to call them.The criteria was fun to drive and 30 mpg.There was a Honda Fit,Mazda3,Veloster,Cruze,Jetta,Lexus CT200,Dart and the Abarth.The Fiat won hands down.Best slalom speed,0-60 ,and 1/4 mile by a lot.Worst mpg and 2nd most expensive(Lexus).And they loved it! They felt the chassis had a lot of roll and wasnt really balanced,but the motor made up for all its little issues!!

[spiderrey]

How did the dart do?

[ga.spyder]

Not so well.Even though it had the same engine(?) as the Abarth ,it was rated 7th out of the 8.They did say it was comfortable as it was the biggest car tested.It also had the 2nd worst mpg.They loved the exhaust note.

[spiderrey]

thanx

[bradartigue]

Sounds like a cross between a PT Cruiser and a Dodge Neon, made in Mexico, and adorned with Abarth badges.



I'd prefer a bumperless 124 Spider. Apologies to the diehards but this car is a sad substitute for the Spiders and X1/9s that once graced our shores. From what I've read the only advantage is they don't rust (they are apparently equally unreliable).

Bring back sports cars.

[ga.spyder]

I couldnt agree with you more,Brad.After spending a day on track with a group of Abarths,it is pretty obvious that Fiat has the resouces and technology to put a real sports car out there.Not the ugly,front drive Barchetta.A real 2 seat rear drive car with modern suspension and brakes.The motor in the Abarth is very impressive.I still have a sore arm from waving them around me on the long straight at VIR! I could hang with them in fast corners,but under braking and in the straights the Spider was no match.

[baltobernie]

I actually went and looked at the new Dart, and found it quite appealing. Good lines. Then I read some reviews. The Multi-Air engine was widely panned for lack of torque. Every reviewer said, "Great car, but buy the 2 litre." This really surprised me. You'd think they could have tuned this incredibly sophisticated motor to provide the grunt Americans want in a small car.

[bradartigue]

I actually went and looked at the new Dart, and found it quite appealing. Good lines. Then I read some reviews. The Multi-Air engine was widely panned for lack of torque. Every reviewer said, "Great car, but buy the 2 litre." This really surprised me. You'd think they could have tuned this incredibly sophisticated motor to provide the grunt Americans want in a small car.

The American press has never known how to drive high-revving European cars. They probably drove the Dodge like, well, like you drive a Dodge. The Dart is a hideous reincarnation of an otherwise beautiful car, the new Alfa Romeo Guilietta, which I would prefer 100x over either the Dart or the Mexibarth 500.

[spiderrey]

I actually think the Dart is a good looking car. Might not be as nice as the Alfa.

[manoa matt]

North American 500's = Assembled in Mexico. European 500's = Assembled in Poland. Where are the parts made? Is any part of that car made in Italy?

When the F-I-A-T acronym is roughly translated: Made in Italy, Car of Torino. Kind of makes me wonder how they can still call it a Fiat.

[spiderrey]

That is true for all car makes these days. Its a global thing.

[ga.spyder]

The Dart tested did have the Multi-air powerplant.The spec says that the184 ft/lb torque is 39 more than the 2liter.They didnt dislike it, some quote "nicely weighted steering and good roll control"."Best in the group at absorbing mid corner bumps at speed"."felt controlled and precise thru the auto-x course" "Crude in some respects,praiseworthy in others this Italian-Americanstill offers style and panache a cut above most others in this segment"
They really hated the cheap plastic interior pieces and crappy seats..now that sounds like Chrysler!!!!!

[ga.spyder]

I hope this works
http://www.roadandtrack.com/tests/compa ... -fast-cars

[opus10583]

North American 500's = Assembled in Mexico. European 500's = Assembled in Poland. Where are the parts made? Is any part of that car made in Italy?

Manual Transmission. Abarth engine's from Detroit.

Designo Torino.

...DIAT.