Performance Review: Abarth 500C Essesse 1.4 Turbo - [2011]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Abarth 500C Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Abarth 500C Essesse 1.4 Turbo is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 2011. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2012 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse and the 2011 SSC Tuatara 6.9L V8 Twin Turbo.This particular Abarth 500C has a 1368cc Turbo Petrol powerplant with 4 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St4's includes the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo

The 500C shares its Petrol St4 engine configuration with the likes of the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo and the 2013 Caterham 7 620 R 2.0 L Supercharged. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the 500C's Front Wheel Drive, Hatchback combination then how about the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Golf R Performance 2.0 Turbo or the 2020 Toyota Avalon TRD 3.5 V6.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1110 kgs (2447 lbs) this makes the Abarth 500C Essesse 1.4 Turbo in the same weight category as the 2020 Lotus Exige Sport 410 Roadster 3.5 V6 or the give or take 50kg.

The Abarth 500C shares the same bhp with the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (134 bhp)

In terms of power the 1368cc 16V St4 engine produces 158 bhp (117 kW) @ 5500 rpm similar to the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (134 bhp) or the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (148 bhp).

The Turbo St4 throws out 170 lb-ft (230.4 Nm) @ 3000 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (162 lb-ft) or the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (184 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Abarth 500C you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2008 Mini Cooper S John Cooper Works (167.2 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Abarth 500C.

The Abarth 500C has a Power to weight ratio of 142.3 bhp per ton and 153.1 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2011 500C competing with the 2008 Mini Cooper S John Cooper Works (167.2 bhp per ton) or the 1986 Ford Sierra RS Cosworth (167.2 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Abarth 500C generating around 153.1 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 1994 Subaru Impreza WRX STI V1 - Classic JDM Wagon (178.1 lb-ft per ton) or the 1995 Subaru Impreza WRX STI V2 - Classic JDM Wagon (178.1 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 7.10 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 7.3 secs, this made the Abarth 500C Essesse 1.4 Turbo as fast as the 2018 Abarth 595 Turismo 1.4 Turbo (7.10 secs) the 2013 Land-Rover Range Rover Sport 3.0 SDV6 (7.10 secs) the 2012 Lexus ES 350 (7.10 secs) the or the 2011 Alfa-Romeo Mito 170 Quadrifoglio Verde (7.10 secs). This Abarth 500C Essesse 1.4 Turbo is also faster than the 2018 Abarth 695 XSR Yamaha Automated (7.20 secs) the 2015 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTD 2.0 TDI DSG (7.20 secs) the 2014 Peugeot 308 GT 1.6 Turbo (7.20 secs) the and the 2013 Volvo S60 T5 2.5 Turbo (7.20 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 500C and the 1969 Ferrari 246 Dino GT

When talking about the performance of the Abarth 500C on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 15.44 secs @ 88.6 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1969 Ferrari 246 Dino GT (15.37 secs), the 2013 Peugeot 208 GTi 1.6 Turbo (15.37 secs), and the 2013 BMW 3 Series 335i Gran Turismo F34 (15.37 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2011 version of the Abarth 500C Essesse 1.4 Turbo has a maximum speed of 131mph.

Top Speed of the 2011 500C equals the 2015 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTD 2.0 TDI DSG (142 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2011 Abarth 500C Essesse 1.4 Turbo then how about the 2015 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTD 2.0 TDI DSG (142 mph), the 2013 Seat Leon SC 2.0 TDI FR (142 mph), or the 2013 Lexus IS 350 (142 mph).

Related Links:

2011 500C Rivals List.

A Brief History of Abarth

Car Comparison