My June C&D arrived a coupla days ago, just getting some reading time this morning.

In it: a comparison road test of a 2012 JCW Hardtop vs. a Fiat Abarth 500.

Again, good to see hard numbers of a real road test, not more infernal "driving impressions".

Fiat 500 Abarth
Price as tested: 25,050
0-60: 6.9
1/4 mile: 15.3 @ 90
top speed: 129 (drag limited)
curb wt: 2545

MINI JCW Hardtop
Price as tested: 32,500
0-60: 6.1
1/4 mile: 14.5 @ 99
top speed: 147 (drag limited)
curb wt: 2644

more at:
http://www.caranddriver.com/comparis...mparison-tests

 

I'm not sure why they always pick the JCW to do a comparison... why not pick the Cooper S... the Cooper S is cheaper in overall price and puts out great numbers that are not that far off from the JCW.

 

The Cooper-S does sound like a more even comparison.

 

Holy huge price difference.

 

For a 1.4 liter with not nearly the engine mods of a 1.6 liter JCW the Abarth (pronounced ah-bart) is an impressive little machine.

 

Fo sho! Google Abarth Venom to see what is coming soon for the Abarth. 200+ HP and suspension upgrades. Fiat's JCW. should be fun.

For me it's the Mini excitement of 2002 again.