Fiat 500 Abarth

[AMDZen]

OK. An observation with my opinion, curious to see how many agree with me. This is something I've discussed with most everyone I know, car enthusiast and A to B drivers alike. Nearly everyone see's my point.

Why are they marketing this car so heavily towards men?

It started with the commercial with the smoking hot Italian model lady and the guy on the sidewalk. OK, not too much there - just a smoking hot Italian super model.

Then I see the Charlie Sheen commercial where his house is filled with models. OK, now we are obviously marketing very heavily toward men.

And then last night, I'm watching NFL network quite a bit, watching Mayock's Mock Draft in preparation for this weekend and see what my Broncos might do, and how wrong they all will be - and the whole thing is sponsored by the Fiat 500. And then all the shows after while switching between the Caps vs. Bruins and the Nuggets games, were all still sponsored by this car. Basically it looked like the entire NFL network studio was plastered with "ABARTH" signs.

What is the deal here? Do the Italians think this car is something that men would desire? Because I can assure them they are way off the mark. I thought maybe some of my gay male friends might like it (not that there's anything wrong with that) and the comments were mostly "It's cute" and even they said, verbatim "Mostly a chicks car, but it is very cute."

Thats what I see, its cute. A la VW Bug maybe, I haven't seen too many men drive them (VW Bug that is). This takes that to another level of complete lack of masculinity. I'm a gear head, with a new car every 2 years or so. I'm into a very particular kind of car, and so this car not appealing to me is pretty obvious, but is there a man in America that would find this car appealing?

All I can figure is that Italian males, maybe a younger demographic liked this car, maybe they thought it was a "hot hatch" although there are much better examples in europe from Renault and VW and Peugeot.

Its a shame because I think the Fiat 500 is going to flop. Fiat is a great brand that I'd like to see more of in the states, but they decide to re-enter the American market with this car, which frankly I can't stand any way, but then market it toward a segment that can't possibly be into this car except in a very small number.

Will this re-entry be over as quick as Daiwoo's visit to our shores or quicker still?

 

[JulesMaximus]

I like it. I don't think I'd ever buy one, but I like it.

BTW, I was watching 'Wheeler Dealers' last night (a show that I really enjoy) and then some of 'What's My Car Worth' on Velocity and the Charlie Sheen Fiat ad was in there a couple times.

 

[Monster_Munch]

They're popular enough with men here in the UK and probably the rest of Europe. I don't see why American men wouldn't like it as well. I do get the impression that Americans are more concerned with appearing masculine than Europeans are though.

 

[AMDZen]

I like it. I don't think I'd ever buy one, but I like it.

BTW, I was watching 'Wheeler Dealers' last night (a show that I really enjoy) and then some of 'What's My Car Worth' on Velocity and the Charlie Sheen Fiat ad was in there a couple times.

What do you like about it? Seriously, its looks and lines say "chick car" more than any other car that is possibly on the market. Its the perfect car for a bubble pop teen IMO.

I watch Velocity a lot. I've seen every episode of Wheeler Dealers, they come to America pretty slow since its a show in the UK so we are like a season behind - love that show, check the internet to get the latest eps

 

[JackBurton]

I like it. I don't think I'd ever buy one, but I like it.

BTW, I was watching 'Wheeler Dealers' last night (a show that I really enjoy) and then some of 'What's My Car Worth' on Velocity and the Charlie Sheen Fiat ad was in there a couple times.

I agree. I'm usually not into cars like these, but for some reason, I like it. I sat in one at the Dallas Auto Show and it was a pretty cool little car. I'm sure it would be pretty fun to drive too.

 

[Puddle Jumper]

I don't get the appeal, it's not particularly, cheap, fast, or fuel efficient and even if it was I still wouldn't be interested in it due to the styling.

I think they assumed it would have the same appeal that the Mini does but failed to realize that the Mini is the exception not the rule.

 

[AMDZen]

If I was going to enter this segment, it would be with the Mini. I feel that way about that car. I like it, and its fun to drive, but I would never buy one.

This car can't be more fun to drive than the Mini, and its looks just make me cringe

 

[_Rick_]

Actually, it's one of the cars that I was having a look at when I was browsing for 100kw/ton warm hatches.
The visual mods on the Abarth 500 do change the character of the car a lot compared to a regular 500. Much like the swift sport that I ended up buying, and the RS Twingo, the car is girly at the base, but sports a kind of visual "mustache".
Plus, the package is just really nice. With the SS kit, you get 160 horses, and yet you can take the car down town. The sound of the Abarth is great, the dual pipes and scorpion (SCOPRIONS OMG!) branding give it a little bit of an air of absurdity.
It's not what you'd call a serious car, it's a laugh.
In the end though, it's a bit small to be usable, and I didn't get one, because I got a better deal on the swift.
Of course, in America, where size does matter (in the inverse sense of the way it matters in Europe and Asia), and where you better be serious, marketing it will be much tougher.

In Europe it was (until the release of the RS Twingo) the reference tiny hot hatch, and a definite winner among the young male populace. As always, it's a matter of taste. I find it less girly than a Cooper S, personally. The only ungirly Cooper is the JCW...

Also, watch out of for the Abarth Punto Evo. That car is a strange looking one, but I think it can definitely be fun.

 

[JackBurton]

I don't get the appeal, it's not particularly, cheap, fast, or fuel efficient and even if it was I still wouldn't be interested in it due to the styling.

I think they assumed it would have the same appeal that the Mini does but failed to realize that the Mini is the exception not the rule.

It is EXTREMELY fuel efficient. The fuel rating listed for that model is VERY conservative.

 

[AMDZen]

Actually, it's one of the cars that I was having a look at when I was browsing for 100kw/ton warm hatches.
The visual mods on the Abarth 500 do change the character of the car a lot compared to a regular 500. Much like the swift sport that I ended up buying, and the RS Twingo, the car is girly at the base, but sports a kind of visual "mustache".
Plus, the package is just really nice. With the SS kit, you get 160 horses, and yet you can take the car down town. The sound of the Abarth is great, the dual pipes and scorpion (SCOPRIONS OMG!) branding give it a little bit of an air of absurdity.
It's not what you'd call a serious car, it's a laugh.
In the end though, it's a bit small to be usable, and I didn't get one, because I got a better deal on the swift.
Of course, in America, where size does matter (in the inverse sense of the way it matters in Europe and Asia), and where you better be serious, marketing it will be much tougher.

In Europe it was (until the release of the RS Twingo) the reference tiny hot hatch, and a definite winner among the young male populace. As always, it's a matter of taste. I find it less girly than a Cooper S, personally. The only ungirly Cooper is the JCW...

Also, watch out of for the Abarth Punto Evo. That car is a strange looking one, but I think it can definitely be fun.

You have to remember (or realize since most europeans don't even know) we don't get the good stuff here in America. The Abarth we get is not the one you guys have, nor do we have all the options that you guys have. With the exception of the VW GTi in some years (he R32 and new R), we don't get hot hatches here at all. Its not really a market segment. Although thats BS because if Ford offered the same type of Focus or Fiesta here as they do there, I think they could corner the market - but instead this is what we get.

Its far more girlie IMO then anything I've ever seen come out of europe. The mini looks positively Schwarzenegger in comparison. And I'm talking like his early years

 

[Puddle Jumper]

In the U.S. the Mini is really the only one of the small hatches like this that isn't considered particularly girly even though it's fairly popular with women.

The problem cars like the Abarth have here is it's considerably slower and less practical than a Camry SE V6 and is only moderately cheaper.

It is EXTREMELY fuel efficient. The fuel rating listed for that model is VERY conservative.

EPA ratings usually are conservative.

 

[JulesMaximus]

What do you like about it? Seriously, its looks and lines say "chick car" more than any other car that is possibly on the market. Its the perfect car for a bubble pop teen IMO.

I watch Velocity a lot. I've seen every episode of Wheeler Dealers, they come to America pretty slow since its a show in the UK so we are like a season behind - love that show, check the internet to get the latest eps

It is a small hot hatch and I kind of dig those. Less is more is definitely cool.

I liked the Mini Cooper when it came out, I liked it quite a bit in fact. I also liked the Acura RSX-S too.

I also have a bit of a penchant for Italian vehicles. :wub:

 

[_Rick_]

http://had.independent.sk/cars/wp-content/blogs.dir/3/files/abarth-500/fiat_abarth_500_04.jpg

versus

http://robson.m3rlin.org/cars/wp-content/uploads/2007/12/mini_cooper_s_2002_02_m-copy.jpg


...sure, the other angles are a bit different, but I just like the widening stance of the 500, with the corner mounted exhausts. For comparison, what I currently ride:

http://img2.netcarshow.com/Suzuki-Swift_Sport_2012_1024x768_wallpaper_27.jpg

...now that is a seriously girly car. And I like it that way

 

[JulesMaximus]

You have to remember (or realize since most europeans don't even know) we don't get the good stuff here in America. The Abarth we get is not the one you guys have, nor do we have all the options that you guys have. With the exception of the VW GTi in some years (he R32 and new R), we don't get hot hatches here at all. Its not really a market segment. Although thats BS because if Ford offered the same type of Focus or Fiesta here as they do there, I think they could corner the market - but instead this is what we get.

Its far more girlie IMO then anything I've ever seen come out of europe. The mini looks positively Schwarzenegger in comparison. And I'm talking like his early years

Pretty sure the Focus and Fiesta are part of Ford's global platform so the US models are the same as the European models.

 

[AMDZen]

It is a small hot hatch and I kind of dig those. Less is more is definitely cool.

I liked the Mini Cooper when it came out, I liked it quite a bit in fact. I also liked the Acura RSX-S too.

I also have a bit of a penchant for Italian vehicles. :wub:

The RSX Type S is a bad ass car that has nothing in common with this Italian teeny bopper. That car was for the tuner segment, power and handling in a FWD car, that segment has been around in the US forever.

The hot hatch segment hasn't. It has very few players here, the Golf GTi R32 still being the best example, the GTi as a whole really only being the only good example IMO.

I wish we would get the Focus and Fiesta and the Civic Si hatch that europe gets, just to name a few

 

[manimal]

I would LOVE a fiat abarth. While I agree that outside of the hot chick the ad campaigns they have used has missed the mark.

The american car market is changing.


Can we just stop the girl car mentality please. Miatas arent girl cars and neither is this.

I personally love hooning small cars.

 

[AMDZen]

Pretty sure the Focus and Fiesta are part of Ford's global platform so the US models are the same as the European models.

LOL. They're not even close. The European's get far more finess and handling as well as power in their sportier models.

You should watch shows like Top Gear out of the UK

 

[NutBucket]

If Fiat was smart they'd bring over a useful small car like the Panda.

 

[jlee]

Reading the spec sheet, it takes 4.6 quarts of coolant...haha wow.

170lb-ft from 2500rpm to 4000rpm, 2533lb curb weight, and 2.3 turns lock to lock on the wheel. Sounds like it'll be a blast to drive, if not particularly fast.

 

[AMDZen]

If Fiat was smart they'd bring over a useful small car like the Panda.

True enough!

Or just market the Fiat appropriately and stop with the "lets ONLY target men" philosophy.

I guess I was wrong and more men actually like this car, first I don't know what is wrong with you guys

But second, this car would be at least as appealing, if not more appealing to women (definitely more). That much I can guarantee. So they should at least get a bit more balance in their marketing.

Women don't want to see Charlie Sheen surrounded by trashy women in his home, disregarding the fact that you can't even see the car at all in that commercial since its zooming around like the road runner, its just going to turn their bigger demographic off completely.

Personally, I think Fiat will be gone from the states within 5 years at this rate. And they'll only have themselves to blame

 

[_Rick_]

Can we just stop the girl car mentality please. Miatas arent girl cars and neither is this.

I think a car may well be feminine or masculine in its design and nature, but in my opinion that is not a bad or a good thing. It's just another quality.
A girly car does not need to be a girl's car either. See these warm hatches. The base models are aimed at a female market, and that's visible in the body shape, but by adding performance and a few look-at-me's they attract a different crowd.

In the end, I like this look because it is coquettish. I have the vision of young lady wearing a fake mustache and sunglasses for a mask ball.
It's character, and you can't discuss that away, nor the fact, that a certain character appeals more to a certain market. What that doesn't mean, is that if someone outside that market also likes the car, they become some kind of deviant. They just have different taste.

 

[JulesMaximus]

LOL. They're not even close. The European's get far more finess and handling as well as power in their sportier models.

You should watch shows like Top Gear out of the UK

Um, that was true a few years ago but I don't think it is true today.

I may be wrong but I don't think so. Even so, I'm not going to be a dick about it.

 

[mmntech]

They're marketing it at men in the US because Americans love big cars. If it's not a Yukon or F-450 Super Duty, they don't want it. That and the Fiat 500 has a reputation as being a lady's car, much like the New Beetle did. The rainbow colours and Vespa-like styling didn't help.

I actually like the 500. Got a chance to try it on for size at the auto show. It's a tad cramped inside but the seats are comfy and it's certainly unique inside and out. 160hp is a lot for a car that size. If I had money to burn, it would make a great summer whip. I'm hoping Budget brings them back for the season. They had them last year and I'd love to take it out for a weekend to see how it drives. My only concern with a car like this would be winter handling. Subcompacts tend to slide around a lot. Snow tires wouldn't be an option, they'd be mandatory.

 

[vshah]

i've seen 2, both driven by middle aged men...

 

[ss284]

I consider these smaller cars chick cars because they feel cramped for any average sized male.