Introduction
First shown at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2008, the Abarth 500 brought the famous scorpion badge back to the small Fiat 500. It is a three-door, front-wheel-drive hot hatchback with a 1.4-litre turbocharged T-Jet engine making 135 hp, and it was built in Tychy, Poland, for the European market from 2008 to 2014. Like every Abarth, the 500 depends on the correct wheels for more than looks. The right fitment affects handling, braking, ride comfort, and safety, because the wrong wheels can rub, upset the steering, or put extra strain on the suspension of a small, light car.
The particular wheel fitment needs for the Abarth 500 are investigated in this guide. This guide provides all the information, including offset ranges, bolt patterns, hub bore diameters, and wheel size recommendations, whether you are replacing a damaged factory wheel or choosing aftermarket wheels for a sportier look. We also have advice on aftermarket wheels to enable you to acquire the ideal fit without sacrificing ride comfort or performance.
From its turbocharged engine to its compact footprint, the Abarth 500 has a simple fitment story: one generation, one bolt pattern, and two factory wheel sizes. This content will enable you to boldly negotiate the details and avoid the most common fitment mistakes.
Whether your update is for performance or style, this guide will be your reliable source for Abarth 500 wheel fitment. Let us now address the particular requirements of the car, beginning with its only generation, the 2008 to 2014 Abarth 500.
First Generation (500: 2008–2014)
Made from 2008 to 2014, the Abarth 500 was the first modern Abarth based on the Fiat 500, with a 1.4-litre turbocharged T-Jet engine producing 135 hp and 206 Nm of torque in Sport mode. Depending on the trim level and options, stock wheel sizes are 16×6.5 inches or 17×7 inches. These wheels had an offset ranging from 35mm to 38mm, providing stability and clearance in harmony. As many Fiat small cars have, the Abarth 500 had a 4x98mm bolt pattern, which is also found on the Fiat 500 and the later Abarth 595. Measuring 58.1 mm, its hub bore guaranteed fit for a variety of aftermarket wheels meant for Fiat small cars. M12x1.25 was the lug bolt thread size. The factory tire sizes are 195/45 R16 on the 16-inch wheels and 205/40 R17 on the 17-inch wheels, and the recommended cold tire pressure is 2.3 bar front and 2.1 bar rear at medium load, or 2.6 bar front and 2.4 bar rear at full load, and also above 160 km/h. The Abarth 500 can easily fit wheels from 16 inches to 17 inches for those looking for aftermarket wheels without major adjustments. Stated configurations should, however, keep a close rolling diameter to prevent interfering with the ABS and traction control systems.
| Model | Bolt Pattern | Hub Bore | Offset | OEM Wheel | Aftermarket Wheel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 Abarth 500 | 4x98mm | 58.1mm | 35–38mm | 16–17 Inch | 16″ to 17″ |
| 2009 Abarth 500 | 4x98mm | 58.1mm | 35–38mm | 16–17 Inch | 16″ to 17″ |
| 2010 Abarth 500 | 4x98mm | 58.1mm | 35–38mm | 16–17 Inch | 16″ to 17″ |
| 2011 Abarth 500 | 4x98mm | 58.1mm | 35–38mm | 16–17 Inch | 16″ to 17″ |
| 2012 Abarth 500 | 4x98mm | 58.1mm | 35–38mm | 16–17 Inch | 16″ to 17″ |
| 2013 Abarth 500 | 4x98mm | 58.1mm | 35–38mm | 16–17 Inch | 16″ to 17″ |
| 2014 Abarth 500 | 4x98mm | 58.1mm | 35–38mm | 16–17 Inch | 16″ to 17″ |
On aftermarket wheels, fans sometimes choose the 16-inch wheel with the 195/45 R16 tire for a little more comfort, or stay with the 17-inch setup for a sharper look and firmer handling. This keeps the fender rubbing away and offers a clean stance. The offset range needs a little care: the handbook lists ET35 on the 16-inch wheel and ET38 on the standard 17-inch wheel, while the dealer-fitted Esseesse kit used a 17×7 ET35 wheel with the same 205/40 R17 tire, so both ET35 and ET38 are correct factory offsets depending on which 17-inch wheel your car has. Check the ET stamp on your existing wheel before ordering. Always confirm clearance, particularly if you are switching to bigger brakes, and match all four tires by make, type, and size.
Special Considerations
Although the Abarth 500 allows several wheel choices, make sure your selected wheels and tires fit the factory suspension. The Esseesse kit, available from late 2008, also lowered the car and fitted larger cross-drilled brake discs, so Esseesse cars need extra care with brake clearance and should keep the 17-inch wheel size. Lowering springs or coilovers on any Abarth 500 could call for changes to stop rubbing. After any wheel modification, alignments should also be reviewed to preserve the best handling. Check the tire placard on the driver’s-door jamb for your exact car, because tire pressure can differ by market and load, and remember that warm tires read about 0.3 bar higher, so always recheck them cold.
General Tips for Abarth 500 Wheel Fitment
A good fit with the Abarth 500 depends on knowing bolt patterns and offsets when choosing wheels. The Abarth 500 has a 4x98mm bolt pattern, hence the wheels have four bolt holes set in a circle with a 98 mm diameter. This is the Fiat small-car standard, hence finding suitable aftermarket wheels is simpler if you search by this pattern rather than by model name alone.
A wheel’s offset sets its distance from the hub of the vehicle. Positive offsets, that is, 35mm to 38mm, found on the Abarth 500 suggest that the wheel mounting surface is nearer the outside of the wheel. Selecting an offset outside the advised range could cause problems including rubbing against suspension parts or stretching too far past the fender.
Check the hub bore size always as well. With 58.1 mm as the Abarth 500 standard, the hub will fit snugly without requiring centering rings. Hub-centric rings can aid in keeping stability if utilizing larger bore wheels.
Common Fitment Issues
One of the most often occurring problems when switching to bigger wheels or reduced offsets is rubbing. Think about the following to help avoid this:
- As you upsize, keep a similar rolling diameter to avoid ABS faults and speedometer mistakes.
- Wheel spacers should be used carefully since they change the offset and stress the hub bears.
- Make sure, particularly on Esseesse cars with bigger brakes, aftermarket wheels clear the brake calipers.
Conclusion
Selecting appropriate wheels for your Abarth 500 is about maintaining the performance and safety integrity of your car, not only about appearance. Knowing specifics like wheel diameters, offsets, bolt patterns, and hub bores guarantees a flawless fit whether you drive a 2008 launch car or a late 2014 model.
With advice for both OEM replacements and aftermarket enhancements, this guide has led you through the fitment of the Abarth 500’s single generation. Remember how your wheel selection affects general ride quality, brake clearance, and suspension geometry. See a wheel fitment specialist in doubt to identify the ideal fit for your requirements.
Your Abarth 500 is deserving of the best; you may improve its appearance, feel, and performance with the correct wheels. Having all the information now, it’s time to make a wise choice and get your Abarth 500 the upgrade it deserves!
Ryan Mitchell is a wheel and tire fitment specialist with over 10 years of hands-on experience in the automotive aftermarket. He has helped thousands of drivers find the right wheels, tires, and offsets for their vehicles, and writes in-depth fitment guides covering bolt patterns, hub bores, OEM wheel sizes, and tire specifications for every major make and model.