Abarth 500 EsseEsse Step1 (Super Street)
The Abarth 500 EsseEsse Step1 is a lively, hot-hatch take on the Fiat 500 formula — a compact Italian pocket rocket tuned by Abarth with more boost, sharper response, and a much angrier personality than its city-car roots would suggest. The EsseEsse package pushed the 500 into proper enthusiast territory, giving it the kind of playful, buzzy character that makes it a favorite in lightweight street-car sims.
Key Specs (BoP-dependent, typical sim values)
Powertrain: 1.4L turbocharged inline-4
Total Output: ~160 hp (119 kW)
Redline: ~6,500–6,800 rpm
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Weight: ~1,030 kg
Dimensions: ~3,660 mm long × 1,627 mm wide × 1,490 mm tall | Wheelbase ~2,300 mm
Tires: Performance street tires on 16-inch alloy wheels
Brakes: Ventilated discs with road-car calipers
Layout: Front-engine, front-wheel drive
In the Simulator Feel
The Abarth 500 EsseEsse Step1 is a small, nimble, momentum-based hatch that feels more playful than fast in a straight line. Its short wheelbase and compact chassis make it eager to change direction, and in the sim it rewards tidy inputs, clean corner entry, and keeping the turbo on the boil. It’s not a brute-force car — it’s all about rhythm, balance, and making the most of the chassis’ light, tossable nature.
Engine & Sound: The turbo 1.4L four-cylinder has a raspy, rev-happy note with plenty of intake and turbo chatter. Power delivery is punchy in the midrange, with a noticeable surge once boost builds, but it still runs out of breath compared with larger performance cars. The sound is raw and characterful, with that unmistakable small-displacement hot hatch urgency.
Handling Characteristics:
Cornering: Quick turn-in and a lively rear end under lift, but the front will wash wide if you carry too much speed or overheat the tires.
Traction: Good for its size, though front-wheel-drive torque steer and wheelspin can show up if you’re aggressive on corner exit.
Braking: Decent stopping power for a road car, with enough bite to support late trail braking into tighter corners.
Top Speed: Modest — strongest on short technical circuits rather than long straights.
Driving Style Tip: Drive it like a momentum car. Carry speed into the apex, avoid over-slowing the chassis, and use smooth throttle application to keep the front tires from being overwhelmed. It shines on tight, twisty tracks where its size and agility can outwork heavier machinery.
Livery & Aesthetics: The Abarth 500 EsseEsse has a cheeky, aggressive look with compact proportions, Abarth scorpion branding, sporty wheels, and subtle bodywork tweaks that give it real attitude. In the sim, it captures the spirit of a modified Italian hatch perfectly: small, loud, and full of personality.
Whether you're running casual laps or battling in a lightweight street-car event, the Abarth 500 EsseEsse Step1 is a fun, accessible, and charismatic choice that delivers more smiles than stats.