2015 Fiat 500 Abarth Automatic Production Begins

Jason Siu
by Jason Siu

Production of the Fiat 500 Abarth equipped with an automatic transmission has begun.

Expanding on its potential consumers, the Fiat 500 Abarth will be offered with an optional six-speed automatic on both the coupe and convertible models. The transmission will be mated to a 1.4-liter MultiAir Turbo engine delivering 157 hp and 183 lb-ft of torque.

To ensure that the Fiat 500 Abarth and Abarth Cabrio retain their sporty and high-performance heritage, the automatic transmission has been reinforced with more clutch plates and a more robust heat treatment to allow for higher torque capacity, according to the Italian automaker.

SEE ALSO: Fiat 500 Abarth Goes Mainstream, Offers Automatic

In addition, Fiat announced that production on its 2015 model year 500 Turbo will also begin today. The 2015 Fiat 500 Turbo also gains an optional automatic transmission for this model year.

The full 2015 Fiat 500 lineup will arrive dealerships later this summer.

“With the addition of an optional automatic transmission, an entirely new group of customers will be able to experience the thrill of driving the Fiat 500 Abarth lineup,” said Jason Stoicevich, Head of FIAT Brand for North America. “Fiat 500 Abarth sales increased more than 16 percent during this year, and we expect this sales success to continue with the launch of this new automatic transmission.”

GALLERY: Fiat 500 Abarth Interior

Discuss this story at our Fiat forum

Jason Siu
Jason Siu

Jason Siu began his career in automotive journalism in 2003 with Modified Magazine, a property previously held by VerticalScope. As the West Coast Editor, he played a pivotal role while also extending his expertise to Modified Luxury & Exotics and Modified Mustangs. Beyond his editorial work, Jason authored two notable Cartech books. His tenure at AutoGuide.com saw him immersed in the daily news cycle, yet his passion for hands-on evaluation led him to focus on testing and product reviews, offering well-rounded recommendations to AutoGuide readers. Currently, as the Content Director for VerticalScope, Jason spearheads the content strategy for an array of online publications, a role that has him at the helm of ensuring quality and consistency across the board.

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