UPDATE 1: Pictures Removed Upon Fiat's Request
UPDATE 2: Fiat Released One Official Image Along With Initial Technical Details -click here
Just as we where getting ready to call it a day, a reader of ours dropped us an e-mail that included the first official images of the all-new Fiat 500 Abarth that’s set to be unveiled in Geneva next month. If you liked the standard 500’s appearance then you’re definitely going to fall in love with the 500 Abarth.
The sport version of Fiat’s hugely popular minicar has been fitted with an aggressive bodykit that included new bumpers, side skirts, a rear diffuser, wider fenders that house larger alloy rims, a roof spoiler, red mirror caps and Abarth decals. Add the twin exhaust outlets in the rear and this is one 500 that you won’t call cute. There are no images of the interior, but it apparent from the ghost sketches that Abarth has equipped the sporty 500 with a pair of red bucket seats.
Sorry to say, we don’t have any technical details in our hands yet, but we’re guessing that the 500 Abarth will be equipped with Fiat’s 1.4-liter turbocharged engine developing between 120 and 150 HP. –More images after the jump
Thanks for the pics CC!
Awesome!
Truly hot!
wow, an '89 CRX, but without the 160hp b16a option...
Thanks kiwi kung fu for your gross ignorance.
The original Fiat 500 Abarth was introduced when Honda was still in nappies.
And how on earth could you draw a conclusion with a CR-X? If you're saying they look similiar, well get your eyes checked immediately.
looks like rendering to me, but i could be wrong.
From a marketing stand point, IMO, they need to play with the bhp number a bit so on paper it matches the cooper S's figures.
Personally, i like this much more than the mini.
I drove the standard 1.4 Sport on launch and felt that it was definitely i. a bit too girly and ii. lacking in power by about 30 or 40bhp (it sounded great but had no 'go' for s small car).
The Abarth - which looks great -seems to have fixed those reservations, although I would prefer it to have 150bhp for around £14k, with an option to upgrade to 180bhp for another £1500.
Despite the previous comments, this isn't really a competitor for the MINI in terms of size (that would be the Punto Grande Abarth), but on style it IS a competitor and so Fiat must make the price a good deal lower than the MINI. In other words, if I was spending £16k/ £17k and perhaps considering a 500 Abarth SS, I would just go for the safer bet, the Cooper S.