Abarth exhaust is too loud for new CA law... What to do?

[texanbrit]

The only things that separates the Abarth from the 500T are, the load of Abarth badges (including the stripes) around the car, the aggressive exhaust, the turbo boost gauge, the more track focused interior, the Abarth tune the gives it more power, and old 500 Pop’s giant spoiler. That’s it. But, if you take a base Abarth, and put it next to the 500T, they look practically identical.

There are many other differences. Steering rack, rear suspension, traction control etc but yes they look similar.

[Fiat500USA]

The only things that separates the Abarth from the 500T are, the load of Abarth badges (including the stripes) around the car, the aggressive exhaust, the turbo boost gauge, the more track focused interior, the Abarth tune the gives it more power, and old 500 Pop’s giant spoiler. That’s it. But, if you take a base Abarth, and put it next to the 500T, they look practically identical.

There are more differences than you think.

There have been a few thread on this. Here is a quote from one:

It is and it isn't the same. Think of the 500T as a Sport with more power. As everyone knows it uses the same engine and trans as the Abarth, but with the suspension of the Sport. Obviously, everything could be changed over to Abarth specs, but the cars do have quite a few unique differences that would need to be addressed.

Besides the engine calibrations and the trim changes, here are some other differences between the 500 Abarth and the 500T:

• 40 percent stiffer spring rate and 0.6- inch (15 mm) lower ride height.
• Abarth-designed cast iron front-lower control arms for improved lateral stiffness.*
• Increased negative camber to -1.5 degrees.
• Dual-valve Frequency Selective Damping (FSD) KONI front Struts.
• 40 percent more torsionally rigid rear axle with strengthened coil-spring supports.
• A 0.87-inch (22 mm) Abarth-specific solid rear-stabilizer bar.
• 20 percent stiffer rear springs with 0.6-inch (15 mm) lower ride.
• Abarth features a 15.1:1 (up from 16.3:1) steering-gear ratio for 10 percent quicker steering.
• Uniquely tuned electronic power steering (EPS) calibration for increased steering response and feedback.
• Abarth-tuned ESC system features a three-mode calibration to maximize handling capabilities on and off the track. When ESC is selected from “On” to “Partial Off” or “Full Off” on the instrument panel, the 500 Abarth’s Torque Transfer Control (TTC) system maximizes throttle performance during on-throttle cornering.

*The 500T may also have the cast iron arms. Have to check.

Admin note: it does

The Abarth also doesn't have a muffler while the Turbo does.

http://www.fiat500usaforum.com/showthread.php?22253-500T-Vs-Abarth

Depending on what you want to do and how far you want to go, maybe financing the extra $2,000 might make sense.

Also, the bunch of badges have a significance. They pay homage to the legendary past:

[Markn1689]

The only things that separates the Abarth from the 500T are, the load of Abarth badges (including the stripes) around the car, the aggressive exhaust, the turbo boost gauge, the more track focused interior, the Abarth tune the gives it more power, and old 500 Pop’s giant spoiler. That’s it. But, if you take a base Abarth, and put it next to the 500T, they look practically identical.

in best trump voice: “WRONG!”

[mattsnapz]

in best trump voice: “WRONG!”

the dudes talking about 'visible looks' i expect - mentioning every nut & bolt & trim piece & mini detail isnt really relevant...

[Fiat500USA]

The only things that separates the Abarth from the 500T are, the load of Abarth badges (including the stripes) around the car, the aggressive exhaust, the turbo boost gauge, the more track focused interior, the Abarth tune the gives it more power, and old 500 Pop’s giant spoiler. That’s it. But, if you take a base Abarth, and put it next to the 500T, they look practically identical.

My post was addressing the "That's it" comment. I just want folks that come here to get accurate info, especially if something diminishes the value of our cars. Plus it's a good reminder of some of the detail differences for reference.

[smark]

The only things that separates the Abarth from the 500T are, the load of Abarth badges (including the stripes) around the car, the aggressive exhaust, the turbo boost gauge, the more track focused interior, the Abarth tune the gives it more power, and old 500 Pop’s giant spoiler. That’s it. But, if you take a base Abarth, and put it next to the 500T, they look practically identical.

Larger Brakes, shocks, suspension, tires, wheels, exhaust, seats, steering wheel, boost gauge, horse power. It’s sad the Abarth doesn’t stand out, any more. Styling wise. Unless you see the Abarth stripes, and notice the option 17”, and hear the exhaust note. The average person wouldn’t know the difference, from a Pop/Lounge 500 to a Abarth now.

[tvmaster]

Where I live, it’s like the Boxster or the 911: the car guys know the 911, everybody else; “oh, it’s a Porsche”
lol

[HalfPint]

Pretty funny to have the 500 Abarth be considered a "sleeper"! Just start it up and get on the gas, there will be no doubt.

[map]

Maybe, if a person has actually heard an Abarth before. 3 or 4 Abarths appeared locally for the first time this year. Without looking at the decals, they are rather hard to ID in stock form; have to check the dual exhaust. The 18/19 Pop does a fair imitation, especially with the muffler delete. Even w/o the delete, local car guys sometimes confuse the 2 models.

Most of the local 500's are older pops, many running steelies w/o the hubcaps, so are easy to ID. I asked a couple guys about that. Apparently the factory hubcaps don't stay attached.

[smark]

Pretty funny to have the 500 Abarth be considered a "sleeper"! Just start it up and get on the gas, there will be no doubt.

Just don’t get into a drag race, with a 2020 Honda Odyssey minivan. With a baby aboard sign of the window. You might be able to take it on in the quarter mile.

0A341A9F-0AB9-4C52-95A2-892A4C3CC168.jpg

Even monster SUV’s are fast these days.

https://www.carindigo.com/honda/civic-si/0to60

[HalfPint]

Just don’t get into a drag race, with a 2020 Honda Odyssey minivan. With a baby aboard sign of the window. You might be able to take it on in the quarter mile.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]37986[/ATTACH]

Even monster SUV’s are fast these days.

https://www.carindigo.com/honda/civic-si/0to60

Yeah, but drag racing is not what an Abarth is about. Let me see that minivan keep up in the twisties.

[smark]

Yeah, but drag racing is not what an Abarth is about. Let me see that minivan keep up in the twisties.

Let see a Abarth take 6 screaming brats to school, and still it’s doors blown off. By mommies mini van. What sad the Abarth is such a small car. A lot of these crossover, SUV’s, even sedans. Are faster, and handle even much better.

[Fiat500USA]

There will always be faster cars, but some things can't be measured with devices. Things like class, charisma, heritage and design. These are some of the things that separate the Abarth from the rest of the same old same old. You can park an Abarth in front of a Ferrari dealer and it fits. You aren't pulling that off in a Yaris.

[smark]

There will always be faster cars, but some things can't be measured with devices. Things like class, charisma, heritage and design. These are some of the things that separate the Abarth from the rest of the same old same old. You can park an Abarth in front of a Ferrari dealer and it fits. You aren't pulling that off in a Yaris.

I use to park my old smart car, in front of the Mercedes-Benz dealership. Where I purchase my $14k car. They sold Alfa’s, Ferrari, Porsche, land rovers, jaguars, MB, Maserati, Maybach etc. All those models, used the same service department as the smart car. I would Sit in the waiting room. With doctors, lawyers, and sports Players. They ask me me how I liked my car. Got the same customer service as any of those more $$$ cars, they sold.

[HalfPint]

Let see a Abarth take 6 screaming brats to school, and still it’s doors blown off. By mommies mini van. What sad the Abarth is such a small car. A lot of these crossover, SUV’s, even sedans. Are faster, and handle even much better.

Have you looked at what kind of power and performance is available there days? There are tons of very, very fast cars out there, and not all that expensive either. Go get one if that's what you want - the Abarth has a certain appeal to some of us, and it's very good at what it does. It's only got 160hp, what would you expect? I didn't buy mine because it was the fastest in a straight line.