I hadn't seen actual driving reviews on the US-market Fiat Abarth 500 since it's intro last month. Here are a few that hit my RSS feed this morning:

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/...t-drive-review

http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/201...at-500-abarth/

http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/05/2...-review-video/

According to the article(s), FIAT USA is now planning on having these at the dealers in April.

I was cross-shopping these last fall, but gave up a) since they were taking so long, b) they only came in 4 colors, and c) the MCS was such a blast to test drive, with a well-established enthusiast community and vendor network.

I like keeping tabs on them, though, I'm assuming I'll get asked about them in comparison to my MINI over the next year or so as FIAT gets it marketing act together.

 

Looking forward to seeing the abarth come to Canada. I'm not going to be in the market for a new car for awhile as I've put too much into my R50 mod-wise to sell it, but I will definitely be test driving the abarth to satisfy my curiosity.

I like that they are running the scorpion tattoo TV spot in Canada now, in Italian.

 

I think it's great that it is being produced. I don't like the look of the Fiat 500 but competition is good for the consumer right? :-)

I would much rather have the Ford Fiesta ST... if it comes out in North America which sounds like it will.

 

I am watching the Focus ST 2013 comes out in fall of 2012.
2.0 Ecoboost, recaro seats, 2 more doors, and just to be different.