2011 Abarth 500 Cabrio Italia

Some cars are put together so well that you wonder why manufacturers don’t give their designers complete free rein more often. This Abarth 500 Cabrio Italia is a wonderful example of that. Azzurro Italia, an interior with beige-brown Sabelt bucket seats, gorgeous details, and just the right amount of Italian flair. We’re actually a little bit in love with it. And we’re only talking about the exterior so far.

This is number 107 of only 150 built. And to be honest, we think it’s more beautifully put together than many Italian sports cars with a very different price tag. Is it okay for us to say that?

The Abarth 500 Cabrio Italia was unveiled in 2011 at the IAA in Frankfurt, to mark the 150th anniversary of Italian unification. Abarth decided to celebrate that special anniversary with a limited-edition version of the 500C. Not just a standard model with a few extra badges, but a carefully crafted sporty convertible with its own color scheme, exclusive interior details, and a generous dose of Abarth technology.

The car was painted in the special color Azzurro Italia, also known as Blu Abu Dhabi. It’s a stunning shade of blue that takes on a different look depending on the light. Together with the magnesium-colored 17-inch alloy wheels, the special Cabrio Italia details, and the yellow Brembo brake calipers, this creates a particularly striking overall look. But you might discover the best part when you open the door.

The Sabelt Abarth Corsa bucket seats are upholstered in a beautiful beige-brown combination and feature carbon-fiber backrests. Not only are they exceptionally attractive, but they were also designed with a clear focus on sportiness. They’re lightweight, offer excellent lateral support, and give the interior the feel of a much more exclusive sports car. Combined with the blue bodywork, it’s truly a fantastic color combination.

Under the hood lies the familiar 1.4-liter Turbo T-Jet four-cylinder engine, producing 160 pk. In Sport mode, the engine delivers a maximum of 230 Nm of torque, making this compact Abarth feel particularly lively. The sprint to 100 kilometers per hour takes about 7.4 seconds, and the top speed is 211 kilometers per hour.

The Sport button adjusts, among other things, the turbo pressure, engine response, and steering assistance. In addition, the Cabrio Italia features high-quality Brembo brakes and the well-known TTC technology, which helps transfer power effectively to the road.

But for us, a major part of the fun lies precisely in the manual transmission. The transmission shifts beautifully and gives this Abarth a direct, almost old-school sporty character. You choose your own gear, hear the turbocharged engine respond, and feel that you’re truly in control. We’re also big fans of classic cars—that’s a major part of our work. And that’s why we perhaps appreciate these kinds of features even more.

With the power-operated fabric roof open, the driving experience becomes even more enjoyable. The Abarth is easy to drive around town, but really comes into its own on a winding road. Compact dimensions, a lively engine, comfortable seats, and a wonderfully sporty sound. This is exactly the kind of car you’d willingly take a detour for on a sunny morning.

This particular example is also in exceptionally good condition. The body still has its original paint, and the car has been carefully maintained. The odometer reads just 60,000 kilometers, which perfectly matches the fresh and well-maintained impression this Abarth makes. The interior has also been beautifully preserved, with the unique Sabelt seats as the absolute highlight. And then there are the accessories.

This Cabrio Italia comes with the special Tramontano leather bag and the matching Azzurro sunglasses. Of course, they’re part of the package. An Italian anniversary edition without stylish luggage and sunglasses would really be a missed opportunity. The great thing is that these special accessories are still included with the car, along with the original booklets.

And let’s be honest: the combination of Azzurro Italia, the beige-brown interior, and all those distinctive details is, in our opinion, even more stylish than the Ferrari Dealer Edition. Less predictable, exceptionally tasteful, and with a unique look that perfectly matches Abarth’s character.

A small Italian sports car with an exceptionally keen sense of style. We’re in love with this Abarth. Are you interested? Contact Gallery Aaldering today and discover this exceptional Abarth for yourself. We export our vehicles worldwide—ask about the possibilities.