Abarth May Turn Fiat’s Tiny Topolino Into A 25-MPH Hot Rod

Stellantis-owned Italian brand Fiat specializes in small cars, and its latest, the Topolino, was launched in America last week as a sub-$14,000 transportation device. Despite the obvious practical drawbacks of such a small car, an even more impractical but more fun-to-drive Abarth example could soon be introduced. Autocar reports that the diminutive quadricycle could get sportier to attract younger buyers, with company CEO Olivier François saying an Abarth version would be "a dream," adding that work toward realizing this dream has already begun. "We're working on it, and it may come," he said. "It would be a total hit."

Fiat Wants Younger Topolino Buyers

Fiat has already launched a version called the Topolino Sport in Italy, with only cosmetic changes (racing stripes, a dark upholstery theme, and a removable Bluetooth speaker called the Monsterlino), but Fiat realizes that it still has more work to do to attract younger drivers. "We want to make an Abarth feeling for the Topolino, because we are still trying to boost selling it to young people," said Fiat's European boss, Gaetano Thorel. "It's amazing: Topolino is the most successful quadricycle in Italy, and if we're being honest, we still don't catch the heart of the 16- and 17-year-olds. I want to gain their hearts, which is why we now have Topolino Sport. An Abarth Topolino could be another solution."

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L6 quadricycle regulations in Europe limit both horsepower and top speed, so a potential Abarth-tuned Topolino is unlikely to be faster and more powerful, with styling upgrades a more feasible way of making the little EV fun. Should the Abarth Topolino happen, we expect massaged bumpers, some scorpion badges, a set of multi-spoke wheels, and a smattering of performance-inspired touches inside, like a noon marker on the steering wheel, contrast-color seatbelts, and maybe some imitation carbon fiber.

Fiat Unlikely to Offer Abarth Topolino in the U.S.

Launching the Topolino in the U.S. was already a challenge, and it's not even approved for our roads yet, with a Low Speed Conversion kit that raises the top speed to 25 mph coming by the end of the summer to make driving the Topolino on U.S. roads with a maximum speed limit of 35 mph legal. The kit will also add a rearview mirror and a backup camera, as well as a pedestrian alert system. Clearly, it's costing Fiat/Stellantis more to offer the Topolino to the American market than to Europeans, and that means a costlier, sportier version is unlikely to reach our shores. Of course, that could change if there is demand, but we'll have to wait for the Topolino to reach U.S. buyers before we can gauge the potential interest for an Abarth model.

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