While I was testing the Fiat 500e, I found myself once again fortunate enough to be able to share a meal with some of Chrysler/Fiat's engineers and designers. As always, I took advantage of the opportunity to propose some ideas for cars that fit into my own perverse agenda, and I got some quality feedback.

I'm happy that Fiat loaned me one of these, because, really, this was the car that started it all. It was about a year ago, and I had just gone on my first press drive. It was for the Fiat 500 Abarth, and I was pretty smitten. The little car had just that right mix of fun and usefulness without taking itself too…

Just look at it! Red leatherette, an aluminum shifter knob, a bit of chrome and fake wood here and there, a lovely three-spoke steering wheel and two massive dials telling you what's the deal. Carlo Abarth knew how to rock.

Italians like to drive and have a good time, but they also understand that not everybody can afford a Ferrari or a Lamborghini. Since they are also brilliant at designing revy engines, it's not surprising that when it comes to hot hatches and nimble sports cars, they don't have to go for the Golf GTI or an MX-5. From…

We're glad to see that Fiat's cloth-roofed 500c has gotten an injection of Abarth. Because if there's anything that's cooler than a sporty little car, it's a sporty little car that lets in lots of sunshine.

If you can't park a car as small as a Fiat 500 Abarth, you just might be the worst parker in the world.

Ritmo in Italian means rhythm or beat. In any language, Abarth means fast. Put them together and you've got today's Nice Price or Crack Pipe 130TC. That sings a rare tune in any language, but will its price make it even rarer in your driveway?

After the fiasco that was the J.Lo. marketing campaign (and the corresponding anemic first year sales) I feel like Fiat is very concerned with the 500 being pigeonholed as an overtly feminine car. The Fiat 500 Abarth rectifies that and provides some of the most fun you can have on four wheels.

The starting MSRP of the 2012 Abarth 500 will be $22K, not including a destination charge, when it goes on sale. A John Cooper Works Mini, by contrast, starts at $30,600.