Abarth is back in Fiat's baby boom

Fiat is is resurrecting its Abarth high-performance brand

Auto Express Car Reviews

New hot 500 Abarth gets 150bhp turbo unit, and offers pace to match its racy looks

By Sam Hardy

08th February 2007

The bold scorpion badge of the famous tuning arm will appear first on a racy version of the new 500 city car. A company spokesman has revealed the wraps will be taken off this model at the Tokyo Motor Show in October.

The name was first seen back in the late Fifties on Fiat's 595 Abarth, and the company is now ready to reinterpret the classic machine.

As you can see from our picture, the special 500 will certainly stand out from the crowd. Designers will enhance the retro shape with blistered wheelarches, a full bodykit and large alloys. The new hot hatch will feature white bodywork and red stripes complete with Abarth badging - just like the original. Inside, a similar look is expected, with a two-tone finish to the sports seats and steering wheel.

But the Abarth won't be all show; under the bonnet is Fiat's new 1.4-litre T-JET turbocharged petrol engine. Delivering 150bhp, it propels the car from 0-60mph in less than eight seconds and on to a top speed of more than 130mph. A wider track, lowered and stiffened suspension and uprated brakes complete the package.

The bigger Grande Punto will also get the Abarth treatment late this year. A 200bhp twin-turbo petrol engine will help the supermini set its sights on the Renaultsport Clio 197. Sales of both Abarth cars will kick off in mid-2008, while Fiat has also announced a 500 Convertible will arrive in 2009.