Fiat's cute 500 has turned over to the dark side! This is the 500 Abarth 'esseesse', and it's the meanest iteration of the 500 ever!
The esseesse (pronounced "essay essay") certainly looks the part with its lowered ride, 17-inch alloys and dual exhaust pipes integrated into the rear splitter.
In this case appearances are definitely not deceptive! The stats speak for themselves: the 500 Abarth’s 1.4-litre T-Jet turbo engine is fettled to develop 158bhp and 230Nm of torque, allowing the esseesse to hit 62mph from standstill in 7.4 seconds and top out at 131mph. Yet the small capacity engine is economical too, returning 43mpg combined and emitting 155g/km of CO2.
Set to hit UK showrooms in January, the esseesse Abarth is essentially an upgrade kit for the standard Abarth 500, and can only be fitted by an approved network of specialists. The kit dispenses with the Abarth's wheels, replacing them with the 17-inch esseesse rims you see here, then the suspension is lowered and the brakes upgraded for improved stopping power. Under the bonnet, a high-performance air filter is the only hardware change.
The transformation is completed by way of 'esseesse' badges for the front and rear of the car, and owners will get a bespoke key cover as a constant reminder of their 500's ultimate status.
There's no official word on pricing for the kit as yet, but expect the MINI Cooper S to provide a benchmark, suggesting a £16,000 price tag for an esseesse equipped 500 Abarth.
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