Fiat Executives Are Considering a Topolino AbarthFiatFiat has spent the month of July doubling down on micromobility. First, it introduced a concept that teased a micro-minivan in the style of the original Multipla. The launch of the existing Topolino in America followed on Tuesday, complete with a surprisingly manageable sub-$15,000 starting price. Next up on the agenda might be another new twist in the lineup: a performance model of the Topolino.Well, "performance" may be an optimistic way of putting it. What Fiat executives are reportedly discussing is actually an Abarth model of the Topolino, something that could be accomplished more with styling and branding changes than with any adjustments to the quadricycle's current 8-horsepower powertrain.Fiat CEO Olivier Francois tells Autocar that the brand is "working on [an Abarth model of the Topolino] and it may come." He calls the concept of a Topolino Abarth a "dream," stressing that Fiat wants to reach younger buyers with a line that has so far appealed largely to retro-minded buyers with an average age in the mid-40s. Another executive, European boss Gaetano Thorel, notes that the current microcar "still [does not] capture the hearts of 16- and 17-year-olds," adding that parents of young buyers in quadricycle-loving Rome generally "buy 14-year-olds the little [JS50 from French rival] Ligier" instead.FiatAlthough the Topolino has begun reaching American shores, an Abarth model in Europe would still be no guarantee of such a machine Stateside. Fiat currently offers a Topolino Sport, complete with unique colors but no performance changes, in Europe, but only the basic green Topolino and a "Dolce Vita" model with ropes in place of doors have been offered in the initial batch of quadricycles sold on the U.S. market.You Might Also LikeIf You Can Only Own One Car, Make It One of TheseThese Are the Most Popular Cars by State
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