A tiny supermini isn't exactly the car of choice around these parts. What made you buy one?
I came across it by sheer coincidence. In the summer of 2009, my brother was touring Europe and while in Belgium he met an Emirati who was also on holiday. He told my brother that he had imported two Fiat 500 Abarths to Dubai recently and was looking to sell one. When I saw the car, I just had to buy it. It only had 5,000km on the clock and was as good as new and very well maintained.
What do you think of it now?
I love its 1.4-litre 16-valve turbocharged engine. It's mated to a proper five-speed manual rather than a slushbox auto. It's a sprightly performer with 135bhp and 206Nm on tap.
Overall, it's quite different from the standard 500. It sits lower and the dual drive electric power steering comes with a Sport setting.
There's a specially designed bumper and a larger rear spoiler and twin tailpipes at the back, while the front bumper is designed to accommodate the triple air intakes providing great airflow to the engine and twin intercooler.
The interior looks neat too…
It is pure Abarth style and boasts snug bucket seats with combined head restraints and lateral support. I love the sculpted steering wheel and leather gear knob, which not only looks great but offers good grip.
Must be a hoot to drive around town...
Absolutely, it is ideal for town driving and has been very, very reliable so far. I've been using it for two years now and haven't experienced any problems. I've also taken it out on the highway and it's proven to be stable and enjoyable. It has great acceleration and the brakes are very strong. But it's around corners where this thing is most fun.
You're not very keen on modifying cars...
I am not a big fan of that because it worries me that any non-factory settings may damage the engine and I don't have much experience in that field to venture into it.
But my brother, who used to drive a BMW M5, kept telling me to modify it. So I made a few minor changes such as adding a BMC filter and Hamman muffler and tail pipes. I also changed the dashboard, side mirrors and the rear wing from the stock white factory covers to carbon-fibre trim.
Finally, I added matt black 18in alloys.
Now you've had a taste, are you into it now?
That's right, I am hooked! I think my next modifications will be getting hold of a short shifter, which has been a real challenge to find so far, and lower the car some more. But I'm not going to make unnecessary modifications just for the sake of it. So for now I think that would be all.
It might be small, but it has a massive personality doesn't it?
Yes, people often stop me to ask what type of car it is as they don't see many of them. Since it doesn't have any Fiat badges, which were replaced with the Abarth Scorpion logos, it makes it even harder for them to figure it out.
What is your dream car?
I would quite like a BMW M1.
Bio
Name Mohammad Khaleefa
Job Business consultant
From Abu Dhabi
Wheels 2009 Fiat 500 Abarth
In the UAE Born here
