Fiat 500C Abarth

The tiny 500 goes from pipsqueak to bad-ass as the hot-rod Abarth, the heart of which is a raucous 160-hp turbocharged four-cylinder (with an almost Ferrari-like exhaust note!) and a five-speed manual (an automatic is not offered). Thanks to a slammed suspension, the Abarth’s handling is as feisty as its styling. There is a coupe or sliding-canvas softtop, though in open-air form, it can get a little pricey. Still, the Abarth is a special car with a disproportionate amount of charisma.