The 2018 Fiat 500 now features dramatically more standard horsepower than ever before. The Fiat 500 hatch and Cabrio models have been given a Turbocharged MultiAir engine that produces 135 hp compared to previous year's normally aspirated engine that put out 101 hp. This 34 hp increase means the already peppy 500 now has the most horsepower in its class. To put it mildly, the new car is going to
rip.
It should be noted that the engine is identical to the one used in the high performance, 160 hp Abarth models, but is detuned for more relaxed driving. To cope with the additional 34 percent more power, the 500's transmission, suspension and brakes are also borrowed from the Abarth. Suspension calibrations while sporty and well controlled are not as aggressive as the Abarth's and don't utilize that model's rear anti-sway bar.
Not counting the Abarth model (which is technically considered a different brand in the rest of the world) the 2018 Fiat 500 lineup consists of the Pop and Lounge models in both hatch and Cabrio versions. For those looking for something sporty, but not as hard core as an Abarth, Fiat has released an Urbana package for hatchback cars. The 500 Urbana gets special trim inside and out and gives the car an athletic, urban look.
The 2018 500 Urbana package features the front and rear fascias and sideskirts from the 500 Abarth. An interesting detail is the gloss A and B pillar trim. This and the interior's gloss black dashboard panel are two differences between the new 500 Urbana and the older 2013-2016 500 Turbo. Wheels are also different. Follow the links at the end of the story to learn more about the 500 Turbo.
The Urbana package adds the following equipment:
• 16X6.5 HYPER-BLACK ALUMINUM WHEELS (WGD)
• BLACK TRIMMED LIGHTS (MFL)
• BLACK INSTRUMENT PANEL DASH PANEL (JBF)
• SILVER ACCENT STITCHING (JEC)
• SPORT CLOTH BUCKET SEATS (*Q6)
Fiat fans will recognize the 500 Urbana as being nearly identical to the 500 Turbo model of years past. The 500 Turbo was discontinued in 2017.
Blacked out headlights are giveaways of the Urbana package.
Blacked out tailights are also part of the package. All 500 models get the front and rear fascias used on Abarth models, but with different badging and a unique single exhasut outelet diffeuser.
Unlike a 500 Abarth, which uses a throaty sounding unmuffled exhaust system, the 2018 Fiat 500 has a muffled system that, while sounding sporty, is still quiet and unobtrusive.
Another look at the blacked out taillights of the 500 Urbana. These taillights and headlights are also available as a Mopar accessory at your local Fiat dealer.
All 2018 Fiat 500 models get this Turbo emblem.
The Fiat 500 Ubana gets a gloss black dash panel, unlike the body colored dash used on other models. This is also one of the differences between the new car and the older 500 Turbo from the past. The old 500 Turbo used a body colored dashboard panel. The shifter is also different than the 500 Turbo, which used the Abarth shift knob. As the car shown was a pre-production model, there is a possibility this could change. We are checking on this now.
Silver stitching is used on the steering wheel and...
... seat trim. The 2018 500 Urbana also uses sport seats, which is different than the premium cloth and leather seats found on Pop and Lounge models respectively.
Read more about the 500 Turbo
Images: Urbana in white-FCA. All other are author's
