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Feann Torr11 Apr 2014
NEWS

Fiat 500 Abarth gets six-speed auto

But the high-performance rev-matching cog-swapper is not for Australia

The updated 2015 Fiat 500 Abarth hot hatch will make an appearance at the 2014 New York motor show equipped with a clever new six-speed automatic gearbox and a flashy new digital instrument cluster.

The refreshed Fiat 500 Abarth is due in Australia in the third-quarter of 2014, but the new automatic gearbox destined for North America will not be offered to Australian customers, says Fiat Chrysler Australia.

"The six-speed auto is currently only available in vehicles produced for the North American market," said Fiat Chrysler Australia spokeswoman Karla Leach.

"We source, and will for the foreseeable future, our Fiat 500s from Europe. This gearbox is currently not available on European production vehicles," she said.

Australian versions of the Fiat 500 Abarth will instead solider on with manual or five-speed 'Dualogic' semi-automatic transmission.

The new Japanese-built Aisin six-speed conventional automatic transmission for the US has a sport mode designed to deliver "an even more engaged driving experience" thanks to a more aggressive response, rev-matched and brake-assisted down-shifts, fuel-cut upshifts and corner gear-holding.

It is able to deal with higher levels of torque thanks to "more robust heat treatment" and added clutch plates.

The refreshed 2015 model year Fiat 500 Abarths will gain more equipment when they arrive locally later in the year, including a large seven-inch digital colour instrument screen that contains a speedo, tacho, and trip computer.

Other interior tweaks include new beverage holders, an updated centre console and an extra USB port, while US models come in three new exterior colours -- Billet Argento (silver), Laser Blue (blue) and Giollo Moderna Perla (pearl yellow).

The Fiat 500 Abarth Esseesse sold in Australia starts at $34,990 and is powered by a 118kW/201Nm 1.4-litre turbo-petrol engine that propels the tiny car to 100km/h in 7.4 seconds. Regular Fiat 500s start at $14,000.

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