To be cool, you have to be…-well cool. Just in time for summer days in Melbourne’s Carlton or Sydney’s Leichardt, Abarth has launched a high performance convertible version of the iconic 500C – the 500C Esseeesse.
Priced at $38,990, the chic new addition to the Abarth range boasts some serious performance with 118kW/230Nm on tap, driving through a new Abarth Competizione automatic transmission with steering wheel paddle shifters for manual changes.
Running on sports suspension with race-bred Koni dampers, cross-drilled brake discs and 17-inch alloy wheels the Abarth 500C Esseeesse zips from zero to 100km/h in just 7.6 seconds but is capable of fuel consumption as low as 6.5l/100kms.
The clever folding roof has two modes. At any speed it can be opened like a traditional sunroof or, up to 60km/h, folds flat for a full-on convertible.
Abarth says the 500C convertible loses only 3.0-litres of cargo space compared to the regular 500.
On the outside, there’s a roof-mounted spoiler while inside the newcomer gains sports seats, a flat-bottom sports steering wheel, alloy pedals and a turbocharger boost gauge.
Abarth says the 500C Esseeesse has a five-star EuroNCAP safety rating thanks in part to standard fitment of seven airbags.
