Fiat testing UAE waters with 500 Abarth and 500L at Dubai Motor Show
There are two new Fiat models on displayed at the combined Fiat-Chrysler Group stand in the Dubai Motor Show. Alongside the Fiat 500, that’s been in the UAE for a couple of years now, are the Fiat 500 Abarth and the Fiat 500L. Both cars are here to gauge public reaction, which will determine whether either of those cars join the regular Fiat 500 in the GCC line-up.
The Fiat 500 Abarth comes with a 140 hp 1.4-litre “T-Jet” turbocharged 4-cylinder engine. The special Fiat 595 Abarth on display at the show comes with a similar engine, tuned up to 160 hp.
The Fiat 500L is a larger, taller car designed to be funky people-carrier, very spacious on the inside, although it’s no larger than a sub-compact car. The version on display is the Fiat 500L Trekking, a slightly-lifted front-wheel-drive version with a 160 hp 1.4-litre turbo engine.
Both cars are part of Fiat’s change in strategy for the Middle East region, aiming to be a slightly-premium niche brand rather than a mass-market player.
Photos by Salma Sultana and Faisal Khatib.
Comments
Deepu K.G
I am a die hard fan of Fiat.
The main disadvantage I found with Fiat in GCC was they were selling low powered vechicles like 500(100hp) and Linea(110 hp), compared to other rivals the power is very low. Fiat Abarth 500 will change the view of people to Fiat in Middle East I believe.I own a Impreza 2012 and every now and then I used to visit the Fiat showroom in Qatar about the new products, but their responses always lead me to disappoinment. Anyways atlast its gonna hit the roads, am happy to see that..:-)
Zao
i remember going to fiat abu dhabi showroom an yr back asking for abarth 500…lol that guy at showroom looked at me for a while and said i am the 1st person who has asked him about the abarth version and they aint bringing it and that they had only the ferrari edition….
Dawood
it would be so great if we have abarth <3