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Abarth 500

Abarth

Abarth 500: Abarth 500: The Original Modern Scorpion
Photo: Jeremy from Sydney, Australia / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 2.0

Abarth 500: The Original Modern Scorpion

The Abarth 500 launched the brand's 2008 revival, turning Fiat's retro city car into a genuine turbocharged hot hatch.

The Abarth 500 debuted in 2008 as the performance flagship of Fiat's retro-styled 500 lineup, and it was the car that relaunched the Abarth brand for a new generation. Built around a turbocharged 1.4 liter engine, the 500 traded the standard car's cute, easygoing manners for stiffer suspension, bigger brakes, flared wheel arches, and an exhaust note that announced itself well before the car came into view.

Abarth offered the 500 in progressively hotter configurations, and the Esseesse (SS) upgrade package became the car's calling card, adding a reworked ECU, larger turbo, and upgraded exhaust for a noticeable jump in output over the standard Abarth 500. The SS badge traces back to Carlo Abarth's own history of factory-blessed upgrade kits, so fitting one to a modern 500 tied the car directly to that heritage.

Inside, the Abarth 500 kept much of the Fiat 500's charm, with a small footprint and light weight that made the extra power feel more dramatic than the numbers alone suggested. It remains a favorite among enthusiasts looking for an affordable, characterful hot hatch with real scorpion-badge pedigree.

Frequently asked questions about Abarth 500

When was the Abarth 500 introduced?
The Abarth 500 launched in 2008, based on the redesigned Fiat 500 that had debuted the year before, and it marked the modern relaunch of the Abarth performance brand.
What is the Esseesse package on the Abarth 500?
Esseesse, or SS, is Abarth's factory upgrade package for the 500, adding a reworked engine tune, larger turbocharger, and revised exhaust for a meaningful power increase over the standard car.
What engine does the Abarth 500 use?
The Abarth 500 uses a turbocharged 1.4 liter four-cylinder engine, tuned by Abarth for significantly more power and a sharper throttle response than the regular Fiat 500.
Is the Abarth 500 the same as the Fiat 500?
It shares its platform and basic shape with the Fiat 500, but Abarth reworks the engine, suspension, brakes, exhaust, and styling to turn it into a dedicated hot hatch.
Was the Abarth 500 replaced?
Yes. The Abarth 500 was eventually succeeded by the Abarth 595, which carried the same basic formula forward under a new name honoring the historic 595cc Fiat Abarth.

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