Fiat Abarth 500 “DA 0 A 100”
November 14th, 2008It must be days, if not weeks since a limited edition Fiat 500 has been announced, so sensing the anticipation rising to fever pitch Abarth have stepped up to the plate with the Abarth 500 “DA 0 A 100″, released to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the birth of Karl Abarth, on 15th November. Even better, this actually IS limited to 101 examples and features both special trim and performance enhancements. Full Abarth press release follows:
To mark Karl Abarth’s centenary, the brand has brought out a Limited Edition of the Abarth 500, known as the “DA 0 A 100”; a total of 101 will be manufactured.
The Abarth 500 “DA 0 A 100” is a tribute to the founder’s passion, and a clear reference to his life, starting from the specific silencer and variable counter-pressure exhaust system, harking back to one of the products that made the Abarth name famous all over the world. The hide colour leather upholstery with silver embroidery on the new special series also recalls Abarth cars of the past. And the mouldings on the side pillars are a tribute to one of Karl Abarth’s best known customisations.
This particular version is equipped with a powerful 1.4 Turbo T-Jet engine that delivers 160 bhp (118 kW) at 5750 rpm, and a peak torque of 230 Nm at 3000 rpm. Thanks also to the IHI RHF3 fixed geometry turboblower, performance is really exciting: the top speed is 211 km/h.
The performance has been raised even higher by adopting different gear ratios: the car reaches 100 km/h from a standing start in just 7.3 seconds. Pick-up is really astonishing: from 40 to 100 km/h in 4th in 8.5 seconds, improving on the performance of the Esseesse version by one second. What is more, perforated disc brakes front and rear, high performance front brake pads, a special air filter “powered by BMC”, special low springs and 17” alloy wheels – with chrome-plated hub covers and Scorpion logo in relief – complete with Pirelli Pzero Nero 205/40 R16 ZR 17 tyres make the 500 Abarth “DA 0 A 100” unique.
On the outside, in addition to the silencer with 4 terminals that identify the special exhaust pipe with variable counter-pressure, the car stands out for its Nuvolari Grey bodywork, which is made even sportier by the Abarth stripe on the sides, with a tone-on-tone effect. The identification badges on the pillar are also chrome-plated, like the wing mirror cases.
The same sporty imprint is evident inside, in the leather seats with their hide colour seat and silver stitching. The thumb-rests on the steering wheel (the centre is decorated with the Italian flag) are also covered with hide coloured leather, while the gear lever knob, the kick plate branded “da 0 a 100” and the special “da 0 a 100” plate with the number of the car are all aluminium. The same “da 0 a 100” branding can be found on the fuel tank cover, the ignition key fob and the car cover.
Such exclusive styling is balanced by a lavish array of standard equipment: for example, in the safety field, the car is fitted with 7 airbags, foglights, ABS complete with EBD (Electronic Brake Distribution) system, ESP (Electronic Stability Program) with ASR (Anti Slip Regulation) and a Hill Holder, as well as the brand new Torque Transfer Control. In the field of well-being on board, the 500 Abarth “DA 0 A 100” knows no rivals, and this is underlined by the automatic climate system, the radio with CD and MP3 player, the sophisticated Hi-Fi Sound System Interscope and the Blue&Me Map satellite navigator (a specific Abarth version). The equipment is completed by electric front windows and wing mirrors, and height-adjustable steering wheel and seats.
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December 10th, 2008 at 9:50 pm
I really like this one, probably my favourite of the ‘unusual’ 500s. It has the power without the OTT, (for me anyway), look of the essesse, and then some! Shame it’s such limited numbers, I really like it.