With the addition of three new stops on the 2014 schedule, Fiat 500 Abarth owners will now have more opportunities to develop their driving skills in the one-day Abarth Track Experience.The 2014 Abarth Track Experience continues this fall with additional stops at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla.; Lime Rock Park in Lakeville, Conn.; and Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, Calif.
Drivers will pilot cars from a fleet of Abarths provided and put their skills to the test through four driving modules: autocross, head-to-head challenge, driving dynamics and performance drive. Drivers will end their day by riding shotgun as professional drivers push the track-tuned Abarth vehicles to the limit.
“As the Abarth Track Experience becomes more popular, we’re expanding the schedule to ensure more customers have the opportunity to develop their driving skills in a safe track environment,” said Jason Stoicevich, Head of FIAT Brand North America. “Now, with the addition of the specially tuned automatic transmission as an option for the 2015 Fiat 500 Abarth and Abarth Cabrio, we expect even more customers will want to join in the fun.”
The Fiat 500 Abarth’s optional six-speed automatic transmission, new for the 2015 model year, will be available to drivers at the Abarth Track Experience dates in the fall.
To ensure the 2015 Fiat 500 Abarth and Abarth Cabrio remain true to their high-performance and track-ready heritage, the six-speed automatic transmission has been reinforced with more clutch plates and a more robust heat treatment to allow for higher torque capability. The transmission is mated to the track-proven 1.4-liter MultiAir Turbo engine to deliver up to 183 ft.-lb. of torque and 157 horsepower. The exclusive, Abarth-calibrated Sport mode allows for an even more engaged driving experience with special features such as fuel-cut upshifts, rev-matching downshifts, brake-assist downshifts, corner gear hold and fast-off gear hold, as well as a more aggressive pedal map.
