Buy a Hotter Fiat, Get Free Track Time: FCA
If the one thing stopping you from buying an Abarth-spec Fiat model is the nagging question of whether you’ll get free track time out of the deal, consider your question answered.
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles announced yesterday that anyone buying or leasing a Fiat 124 Spider Abarth or 500 Abarth model has a year to sign up for the Bob Bondurant School of High Performance Driving, free of charge. Your tiny turbo won’t know what hit it.
Bondurant normally deals in horsepower monsters like the Dodge Challenger Hellcat and Viper, but size isn’t everything, especially when there’s an FCA promotion brewing.
The newly formed Fiat Trackside and Road Rally driving programs kick off this November. Abarth owners, as well as Abarth fans (how many of you guys exist, really?) can learn how to put the tiny Italians though their paces on the track.
First, you’ll need to book a weekend in Chandler, Arizona. There, instructors from the school will guide drivers through skid, slalom, autocross and team rallycross activities, hopefully boosting owners’ racing status from “novice” to “somewhat experienced.” The next day brings a 180- to 220-mile rally on sun-baked Arizona highways.
FCA wants “to provide (Fiat) fans with the knowledge, skills and setting they need to fully experience the performance that the Abarth models can deliver,” said Tim Kuniskis, head of FCA’s North American passenger car brands, in a statement.
The automaker’s announcement comes as the Fiat 500 continues its sales decline in North America, and the 124 Spider attempts to gain traction in the marketplace.
[Image: Fiat Chrysler Automobiles]
More by Steph Willems
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Has anyone asked Bob Bondurant what he thinks of the Fiat Lesser-Miata?
Oh man, if only I didn't need a back seat! If they Abarth'd the 500L and made it look less like an ovary, I'd totally make it my first company lease. Actually, to be fair, I've seen a 500L with a pretty slick looking wheel/tire package and a gray body/red roof and accent appearance package that I could stomach. But only if they Abarth'd it.
Track time has always been a perk of buying a 500 Abarth. It's one of the reasons that got me interested in the car. Well, that and the fact that it's one of the less expensive options for a high performance car with track time instruction as part of the purchase price...
Great way to avoid warranty claims! Sergio is a fracking genius: First he wins the F1 championship and now this.