Fiat is adding a little spice to the diminutive 500 lineup with a new Turbo model that slots between the bland base 500 and the chile-pepper Abarth.
The 500 Turbo's beefed-up powertrain features a turbocharged and twin-intercooled 1.4-liter MultiAir Turbo engine rated at 135 horsepower and 150 lb-ft of torque, a track-proven manual transmission and sport exhaust.
Other Turbo features include a sport-tuned suspension, steering, front-lower control arms and high-performance brake system.
Performance-designed fascias and side sills heat up its appearance and provide some aerodynamic benefit, the company says.
Inside there's an available studio-quality sound system in the form of a new segment-exclusive 'Beats by Dr. Dre' audio package.
"The new Fiat 500 Turbo is the answer to all the fans that loved the style of our Cinquecento but wanted more power and performance for their daily drive," says Tim Kuniskis, Head of Fiat Brand North America.
"With 135 horsepower and 150 lb-ft of torque, the Fiat 500 Turbo hits the sweet spot between the regular Cinquecento and the high-performance Fiat 500 Abarth... (it) balances and blends the best Italian flavors that our portfolio has to offer, becoming the perfect canvas for customization."
The Fiat 500 Turbo made its public debut in Monterey at the Concorso Italiano – one of the largest gatherings of Italian vehicles in North America – a long-established adjunct to the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance weekend.