Fiat 500 Abarth vs. MINI COOPER S

Fiat 500 Abarth vs. MINI COOPER S

For the Fiat 500 Abarth to be successful, it needs to attract customers that might otherwise be attracted to the Mini Cooper S or the Volkswagen Golf GTI. While in Europe the Fiat 500 might be in a smaller class, here in American they’re all just small hatchbacks and city cars, which puts them in direct competition. Today, we’re going to take a look at how the Abarth measures up against the Mini Cooper S in key value drivers such as price, performance and style.

Price

There are no official numbers as yet, but now that the specs have been released, we can make an educated guess based on the UK pricing. We’d previously speculated an MSRP of $21,500, but now that we know the upgrades are superior to the European Esseesse, the price may be more like $24,000. Internet rumors place the Abarth definitely below $25,000, but how far below remains to be seen.

That higher price would put the Abarth in the same range as the Mini Cooper S, which has a base price of $23,850. However, Fiat would be smart to undercut the price of the Mini Cooper S, because while the Abarth is in higher demand, its performance doesn’t quite match up to the S, which we’ll discuss in further detail below.

Performance

On paper, the Mini beats out the Abarth on almost every performance level. The Mini sports a 1.6-liter engine instead of 1.4, 181-hp instead of 160, and a 6-speed transmission instead of the Abarth’s 5.

However, the Fiat catches up considerably when it comes to torque. The Mini S features 177 lb-ft at 1,600-5,000 RPM, while the Abarth delivers 170 lb-ft at 2,500-4,000 RPM.

That said, this is where the Abarth has a good chance to leverage pricing. Stability controls that are optional extras on the S come standard in the Abarth’s Torsion Transfer Control system. Also, the Abarth is considerably lighter, which makes its relative performance much more impressive.

Fuel Efficiency

If the Abarth delivers significant improvement in fuel efficiency over the base 500 model, it will have a serious advantage over the Mini. Even the base model’s 30-mpg city and 38-mpg highway ratings beat out the Mini’s 29-37 rating.

While official numbers have not been released regarding the EPA ratings for the new Abarth, Chrysler has stated that the Abarth will deliver a 7.5 percent increase in fuel efficiency and a 10 percent reduction in C02 emissions.

That said, the gas tank is smaller in the Abarth, which may limit its usefulness to longer drives.

Style

Of course, style is in the eye of the beholder. But when you compare the profiles of the two cars, the Abarth definitely looks a little edgier and sportier. The black finish with the red racing stripes emphasize the Abarth’s classic Italian style, as opposed to the Mini Cooper S’s increased focus on “Cool Britannia.”

The Experience

What the Abarth lacks in power, it makes up for in driving experience. There’s a better view of the road due to its high-mounted seats. There’s also more cargo space, which would make it more practical for some drivers.

Another advantage the Abarth has is its wheels. There are 16-inch and 17-inch Pirelli options, both of which are All-Season, which offer safer driving in bad-weather conidtions than the Mini Cooper S’s default Runflat Tires.

Conclusion

We’re still missing some crucial information about the Abarth, such as its final pricing, it’s 0-60 speed and its EPA ratings. While it doesn’t beat the Mini Cooper S in performance, it certainly matches it in other areas. So if Fiat sets the right price for the car, it could prove a hardy competitor to the Mini Cooper S.

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  • http://www.facebook.com/people/JL-Serkes/579789275 JL Serkes

    Its going to be the Abarth, MiniS (which I have now) or A3. I liked the Abarth, saw it at the LA Car Show. Mine is 30K, and an Abarth is lower. However, there will be no Cabrio Abarth which is a mistake. I have a convert S. A3 is totally dif car, but I owned an older TT and loved it.

    • http://www.fiat500abarth.us abarth.us

      I’m sure there will be an Abarth 500C (cabriolet) eventually, but you’ll definitely be waiting another year or two. I really like the A3, but aren’t you essentially paying a premium for a VW GTI with Audi badges?

  • http://www.facebook.com/richardtravisreyes Richard Travis Reyes

    Umm…performance wise the Fiat wins…its called weight to hp ratio bro. The fiat being around 2200 IB and the mini around 2700 aka 500 pounds of fatness.

    • http://www.fiat500abarth.us abarth.us

      More like 2,500+ lbs for the Abarth.

  • Paul

    Abarth is 100% fun , it is a smile in a sunny day!
    Mini is the usual arrogant and snob German car … or better German panzer

    • Frrmer1ab

      There’s nothing German about the Mini. It’s designed and built in England. Check your facts or risk leaving a 100% inaccurate post

      • M1TankerPL

         Not arguing here but are you sure? I did a VIN check on a 2003 I was looking to buy and it said it was assembled in Germany…. And, the sticker on the 500 says it’s made in Mexico…..

  • Australianmade63

    I had a1970 500abarth. Anyone who has driven an Abarth car knows that the Hp and 0-60 times are irrelevent. It’s the passion that the vehicle ignites in the driver. Every time you take it out, the commute becomes a chance for a thrill. Similiar experiences are had in the Renault Gordini experience and even the stock Peugeot 504 Ti and 205 GTI :) Anyone who has ever driven a pre 1980 BMW will know exactly what i am trying to convey.

  • Ivan

    Mini Cooper S’s default runflat tires do come with all-season option; 16-inch wheels are standard, 17-inch optional.

  • Dan

    I drove a fiat abarth in the late 60′s. It was a blast. I had a cop pull me over, he couldn’t believe I had it going faster then any car on the expressway in Detriot. He just laughed and let me go. OHHH the wonders of youth. DAN

  • Roadshaman

    If your going to compair, be fair. Since the Abarath is the high end perfomance model, compair it to MINI’s high performance model. The GP or the JCW. When you do that their is no comparioson, MINI wins hands down. It’s like compairing a Cheap economy car to a Luxery Sport Compact.

    • Monsignor Peter Ohardon

      Compare the prices dude, it’s no contest.  Abarth rules. 

    • PioneerStock

      It’s COMPARE, not compair. THERE, not their. COMPARISON, not comparioson. Luxury, not luxery.

      Given that, I’m not surprised you would say it’s fair to compare two cars that aren’t in even remotely the same price range. THAT would be like comparing a cheap economy car to a ‘Luxery’ sport compact.

      I think driving that Mini is rattling your brain.

      • Kbdoyens

        Luxery?

  • Vggerr

    Abarth has less power but is much lighter so I’d say you are wrong about your performance conclusion. Power to weight is performance not just hp and tq figures.

  • Cb505

    i have #260 of the 500 P.E  i love it. i want to get more power any thoughts

  • uli

    Who wrote that? A lavatory cleaner? I could have gotten it from the Fiat brochure. What about handling, 0 to 60, cornering, braking. Find a new job.

  • M1tankerpl

    ” However, the Fiat catches up considerably when it comes to torque. The Mini S features 177 lb-ft at 1,600-5,000 RPM, while the Abarth delivers 170 lb-ft at 2,500-4,000 RPM.”

    Whomever wrote this article failed mathmatics miserably….. Are you even reading what you write?

    • Bean

      The Fiat torque numbers are better mathematically as it makes more hp at higher RPMs. I am a girl and I can do math:) The conversion is torque x rpm / 5252. Check it out.

      • M1TankerPL

        First, Gee, thanks for the math lesson. I’ve been building engines for 25 years but you sure showed me…… Second, who cares if you’re a girl….  Third, your thought process makes no sense. IF you read what I quoted, the author is talking about torque. In actuality, the author has printed horsepower numbers. Regardless, the author claims the MINI makes 177 at 1600-5000 rpm. Not only does the Abarth make lower hp at 170, but it makes it over a smaller rpm rage of 2500-4000. So, your claim of more hp at a higher rpm is invalid.

        There is no way a these tiny little 4cyls are making that much torque or hp over that rpm range in either case.

        I did find a dyno sheet for the Cooper S and it did manage to hold 150+ hp from 4000-6500 rpm. At 1600, it was only making 25 lbs ft and didn’t even hit 100 hp until around 2750 rpm.

        Honestly, I have no idea where the 2500-4000 came from. But, the 1600-5000 could be construed as a “operational range” for the MINI. So, most likely what the author has done is take the peak hp figure, called it torque and then claimed that number over the entire operational rpm of the engine.

        All I was saying is that the writer is clueless about what they were writing and can’t do math.

        I love the Fiat BTW and was not slamming the car if that was your problem.

  • acapps

    Both these cars are gay and both suck.

  • rhonin

    Hmmmm, so my Civic Si outdoes both in all categories for less….

    Chuckle

    • Rolanessa

       Yes , but civic is really ugly car , and very common everybody have one , its not original, and it shows NO personality

      • http://www.facebook.com/doodbropoop Adam Kelnhofer

        You’ve clearly never driven a 2010ish Civic Si if you think it has no personality. This is coming from a first gen MINI S owner.

    • http://www.simpixelated.com/ Jordan Kohl

      I won’t call the Civic ugly, but both the Fiat and the Mini have a lot more style and personality, which is definitely something you pay for.

  • Alon_ii

    I own a R53 JCW and I like the fiat look but I holds nothing to the fun, power and styling of the mini.

  • cardan2222

    I think tha Fiat 500 and th Abarth edition are MUCH better looking cars. I am proud for Fiat they needed this in the US. In reality we are all just driving to work and back most days. I am not all that concerned with “preformance equivilancies”. The Fiat has the cool factor hands down. Abarth editions are fabulous looking cars and I would love to have one.