One advantage of running a lightweight car powered by a 1.4-litre engine is that fuel bills aren't going to be ruinous. Fiat quotes a figure of 40.9mpg on the combined cycle, which means emissions are pegged at just 156g/km, which is excellent for a petrol-engined vehicle that can nip to 62mph in under six seconds. Being a lightweight, the Abarth is going to work its tyres, brakes and suspension components less heavily than a hulking great barge and you'll get decent range out of a tankful when you're at the track. More laps means more fun.
Of course, some of those savings are going to be offset by repayments on those hefty £25,000-£30,000 asking prices, but if there's one thing we've learned to date, it's that Abarths tend to be one of the most bombproof new car buys as far as depreciation is concerned. In other words, once you've stumped up the asking price, this isn't going to be an expensive car to run.
