Yeah, it looked really good on the track, especially considering you're chasing an 86. I hustled the 500 Sport over Highway 17 (aka The Death Highway) when I had it, but all that driving is ultimately sub-legal speeds... the road is simply too unpredictable (traffic, wildlife, etc.) to go much over 60 or 70 so everything beyond was my imagination.
One thing I was impressed with was that even flogging it pretty hard, the regular 1.4l still returned >30mpg. How is the economy on the Abarth? A friend has a new Fiata with the 1.4 turbo and he's doing pretty well with it, even driving around like an idiot.
Although quick, even a turbo 500 wouldn't be as quick as other cars I've got, so I really need to sell it to myself as a fuel economy move.
