[LongBeachJim]

Called a couple of dealers in the Los Angeles area who state that they will be getting delivery of the Classica and Lusso by the end of the month, but are clueless as to when they will get the Abarth. Is there a regional or national delay?

Also, I noticed that the Abarth on the website (Build your Own) doesn't show the black hood or the Abarth steering wheel badging. On YouTube and Google Images I especially like the white Abarth with 'red side mirrors' and 'red lower front bumper'. That isn't shown on the US website either. Anyone with info?

 

[Spider808]

Hey LBJ,

I noticed the same thing you did. In fact, when I checked out the Fiat web site, the Abarth looked just like the Lusso - though it had the aggressive front fascia, it was all in Rosso Passione instead of the matte black, including the hood.

Personally, I'd love the Abarth package, but in Lusso trim. I just like the clean Italian red sports car look of the Lusso over the Abarth's styling. To each his own, I suppose.

I moved to Hawaii from Orange County about a year ago. If I remember correctly, there's a Fiat dealership in Costa Mesa I checked out when then 500 Abarth came out.

But speaking of Long Beach, can you swing by Beachwood BBQ and pick me up some growlers? Haha! Just kidding, of course, but man, I certainly do miss that place!

-Spider808

 

[Greg]

I have been told that the Abarths won't be here until Sept. That wasn't anything official, but it's what I heard from one of the bigger Fiat dealers in the country.

I wonder about the steering wheel badge as well. So far, every North American car I have seen does not have the Abarth steering wheel with the Abarth badge and centering stripe. I'm not sure if that's because these are initial press cars, or if that's the way they are going with it.

Greg

 

[Axel]

What I've heard repeatedly from many forums is that the flat black hood and trunk stripe will be a no cost option for North America and that Fiat USA is delinquent on updating the configurator. That option is called the "Heritage Look" on the European configurators. You'll be able to get your Abarth here either with or without the black stripe. Dealers have yet to receive the Abarth order books so they are in the dark for the most part.

I've also heard the the red mirrors and the red accent pieces on the front will not be available on the 2017 MY North American 124 Abarths.

fyi, there are many things that need updating on the Fiat USA website... the site specifies twin intercoolers when in fact there will only be one. The colors shown may be wrong and may be revised, etc.

The forums (folks that personally spoke to Fiat reps at the recent San Diego media test event) say the Abarths we get will initially not have the Abarth badge on the steering wheel or the logo on the seats... that those both cover air bags, have not been approved yet for sale here by the feds and that that approval process could take up to a year... ??? go figure! Hard for me to imagine why they didn't get that approval in the three years that they've been planning these cars!

 

[LongBeachJim]

Axel,

What a disappointment to hear that the US won't get the red accents on the white Abarth. I suppose there is the aftermarket approach of having it painted, or the possible use of vinyl wrap as a lower cost option. I also noticed that the interior of the press release cars had some suede-like trim in the interior. Wonder if that got axed too.

 

[Bulldog66]

Axel,

What a disappointment to hear that the US won't get the red accents on the white Abarth. I suppose there is the aftermarket approach of having it painted, or the possible use of vinyl wrap as a lower cost option. I also noticed that the interior of the press release cars had some suede-like trim in the interior. Wonder if that got axed too.

AGREED! Very disappointed, so much so, waiting a year seems like a viable option. It is these small details that really checked the boxes for car enthusiasts. At least the red accents can be dealt with in one way or another, but this really sounds like some corporate genesis in the US didn't like it. Typical. I think the red adds a lot to the car, and is not overdone.

The Abarth logo treatment is of course not worth fixing even if you could. But, as a industrial designer, and can tell you touch points like the steering wheel are key branding opportunities and very important. Fiat blew it here.

 

[Axel]

One person says the mirror caps that will come in either black or body color can be readily purchased from Fiat and self-installed... but I haven't heard whether the red bumper piece can be purchased. You would think they'd sell it for repairs..

Apart from the two interior logos, we should get the same interiors as the Euro versions including the alcantara\suede like materials.

At least we get the Abarth scorpion logos on all four sides of the car,

 

[LongBeachJim]

Axel, this is sounding more promising! Thanks.

 

[Axel]

This almost 1-1/4 hour European Abath review has lots of on road sounds and sights! At about the 1:03:00 mark, there is an interview with the head of Abarth

 

[Axel]

^ per the Head of Abarth: Only 2500 124 Abarth's will be made worldwide in 2016... "next year, we'll see". All the Abarths are shipped from Hiroshima to Turin, Italy for final assembly...

 

[Spider808]

^ per the Head of Abarth: Only 2500 124 Abarth's will be made worldwide in 2016... "next year, we'll see". All the Abarths are shipped from Hiroshima to Turin, Italy for final assembly...

Good info - thanks, Axel.

Well, now it makes sense that Hawaii will be getting these cars late - given that they're going to Turin for final assembly.

-Spider808

 

[Abarth124]

I believe that was just for Europe-bound Abarth 124s....hence the plaque that's screwed on the center storage lid.

US models are just models coming from Japan.