- Fiat Abarth wants to make Topolino variant.
- A hot version is currently in the works to cater to the needs of young buyers.
- Unfortunately, the US market may not make sense based on the rules.
Fiat recently announced pricing for its little Toppolino, which is now the cheapest new “car” in the US, priced at just $14,985 with destination. That low price comes with other low numbers: 8 horsepower, a top speed of 19 mph, and a 46-mile range; Basically a glorified golf cart that you can drive on some public roads.
According to a recent report autocarHowever, Fiat is not opposed to building faster models. In reference to a possible Abarth version of the Topolino, Fiat CEO Olivier François said, “We are working on it, and it could come. It would be an absolute hit.”
Fiat hasn’t offered an Abarth model in the United States since the 2019 model year, but the sporty Italian sub-brand is alive and well in Europe. There are currently two all-electric Abarth models on sale: the 500e and 600e, the latter of which is the most powerful Abarth ever produced with up to 280 horsepower in Competizione trim.
Europe has different driving laws than the US, the Topolino is classified as an L6 quadricycle and 14-year-olds are allowed to drive it on public roads in countries such as France and Italy. Fiat believes the Abarth version will help it cater to these young buyers. Gaetano Thorell, head of Fiat/Abarth Europe, said:
‘We want to create an Abarth feeling for the Topolino, because we are still trying to promote its sales to young people. It’s surprising: the Topolino is the most successful quadricycle in Italy, and if we’re honest, we still don’t capture the hearts of 16 and 17 year olds. I want to win their hearts, which is why we now have Topolino Sport. The Abarth Topolino could be another solution.’
While the more powerful, sporty-looking Toppolino seems like an instantly cool formula, we doubt it’s something that will be considered for the US market. Bringing the Topolino to the US was probably already a big challenge for Fiat, and we can’t imagine that adding power or making it more expensive will help the business case.
The Topolino will be sold as a Neighborhood Electric Vehicle (NEV), which means it can only drive on roads with a speed limit of 35 mph or less, and can only cross highways with a speed limit of 50 mph or less. Some states place other restrictions on NEVs, which operate as street-legal golf carts.
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Source: Fiat
Motor1’s Opinion: Any improvement in power would eliminate the restrictions placed on the Topolino as an NEV, so Fiat has little to work with here. To be classified as an NEV, it must not exceed 25 mph, which means the Abarth version can only be six mph faster than the standard version. Fiat already has Topolino variants in Europe that go up to 28 mph, so the Abarth version could be much faster, but for the US market it would need to be slowed down. Who wants that?
