Mini John Cooper Works / Fiat Abarth 500 esse esse

[SDNR]

Which one of these toys would you prefer?

Mini John Cooper Works

Fiat Abarth 500 esse esse

 

[Merc1]

Fiat, Fiat, Fiat, Fiat. The 500 is the way cooler, better looking car now.

M

 

[martinbo]

Bugger you Rob, you southern hemisphere tonsil.

You just stole my poll.

 

[martinbo]

Ok back to all seriousness now.

My choice has to be the Mini. Even if it does get thoroughly walloped by the Abarth 500 in terms of the cool factor, the JCW will run rings around the Abarth in terms of driveability and enjoyment.

I love the Abarth and I adore the image as much as I hate the New MINI II for being a gratuitous rehash of the New MINI I from a styling point of view. And I positively detest that MINI's interior. That said, once you've driven one and you've felt the kick, point and squirt ability of this car you be left in no doubt why the MINI is the still the dynamics class leader. (Renaultsport Clio III R27 almost as good but lacks torque to be as much outright fun.)

 

[Mr Robert]

JCW, all the way. It is a true drivers car whereas the 500 is the auto fashionistas choise...

 

[MikeJ]

I'll take the Abarth. While the JCW Mini might have the dynamic edge, I don't think the gap between the two is anywhere as big as some of you seem to suggest. I've always had a soft spot for fast Fiats for their personality and now it seems they're quickly catching up in other respects as well.

 

[LaArtist]

Give me the Italian..its just to cool for the Mini to handle

 

[martinbo]

While the JCW Mini might have the dynamic edge, I don't think the gap between the two is anywhere as big as some of you seem to suggest.

Dynamically speaking it's not a gap. It's a chasm.

155 kW (211 hp) plays 130 kW (170 hp) est.
280 Nm vs 240 Nm (est. max)
0-100 km/h: 6.5 secs vs. 7.7 secs (est. based on Grande Punto Abarth SS)
Fully independent rear suspension plays torsion beam & trailing arms
MINI easily has the better centre of gravity and longer wheelbase

No doubt the 500 SS is more charming, better to look at and probably more appealing to own but in terms of a hardcore driving experience it ought to be well off the JCW's prodigious pace.

 

[Tarek]

Definitely the italian,no one beats them when it comes to style and passion.And i hope has the pace to match the looks.

IMO the real JCW beater is the MiTo GTA due next summer.

 

[Deleted member 25]

Fiat, it's just irresistible.

 

[ateekt]

Fiat does looks awesome but, also gives me a feeling of fragileness, I'll go for Mini ...!

 

[DeDe]

The 500!