| Further details | 2008 Paris Motor Show | 2009 Fiat 500 Abarth |
First seen at the
Geneva Motor Show earlier this year, the new Fiat 500 Abarth will soon be available in selected left-hand drive markets ahead of the UK and other right-hand drive countries.
Visual changes over the
regular 500 include modified front and rear bumpers. The rear item accommodates a new twin outlet exhaust system. At the front, to make room for the turbocharger, the front panel has been revised and extra air intakes added. Two styles of alloy wheels are offered: 16-inch eight-spoke and 17-inch five-hole designs.
Inside, the Abarth's steering wheel, gear lever and handbrake are leather covered. The seats are high-backed with integral head restraints and trimmed in leather or cloth. Compared with the standard 500 the Abarth's instrument panel gains an additional boost pressure gauge and a gearchange indicator light.
All the expected modern safety systems are fitted including traction and stability control, emergency brake assistance as well as a hill hold function to prevent the car rolling back on a hill start. In addition the 500 Abarth has Torque Transfer Control (TTC), which transfers torque to the wheel with the most grip by use of the braking system rather than a mechanical limited slip differential.
The engine is Fiat's 1.4-litre turbocharged T-jet four-cylinder unit. Maximum power is 136bhp and maximum torque is 152lb.ft at 3,000rpm in Sport mode; in normal mode torque is limited to 133lb.ft at 2,500rpm. Performance claims are 0-62mph in 7.9 seconds and a maximum speed of 127mph. On the combined cycle 52mpg is possible.
The Fiat 500 Abarth will go on sale from July 19 in Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Greece, France and the Netherlands, with the on sale date for Britain and other countries yet to be announced.
John Lambert - 9 Jul 2008