[Merc1]

A Fiat 500 Abarth? Seen that before…

Yes you have, and we scooped it back in May. But this isn’t a 500 Abarth. This is the super-hot Super Sport version with more power and a few mods to make it a more serious performance hatch. Dubbed ‘SS’ this car is still over a year away, but it’ll be proper pocket-rocket when it arrives.

And expect the full list of customisable options to be available too, letting Abarth owners personalise their new toy.

So just how quick will it be?

There are no official figures yet, and Fiat officials aren’t even being drawn into talking about the regular 500 Abarth. But we do know that the regular Abarth will run a 1.4-litre turbocharged engine turning out around 135bhp.

These spy shots show the SS's larger front bumper and two additional air intakes to help cool the higher-powered engine. In the Grande Punto Abarth the same engine has 150bhp, and in the SS version it’s good for 180bhp. Expect somewhere between 165bhp and 180bhp for the hottest 500.

What else is new?

These pictures show the 500 Abarth SS has a distinctly jutting front bumper, much larger than on the regular 500 Abarth. And through the disguise you can make out the larger radiator needed to cool the higher-power engine. Also visible are the deeper and less-rounded side skirts.

This prototype is being used to test the engine rather than the suspension: that's why it runs regular 500's wheels.

What are the other clues that this is a Fiat 500 Abarth SS?

Those tailpipes. Both the Grande Punto Abarth and 500 Abarth run twin tailpipes but only on one side of the car. The Grande Punto Abarth SS and the 500 Abarth SS shown here both have two separate pipes positioned on either side.

Oh, and FYI it’s not a Fiat either. Fiat says that no Fiat badging will appear on the Abarth cars.

So does that mean the Abarth brand is being re-launched?

Spot on. It’ll start with the launch of the Grande Punto Abarth in October next month. That’s for the Italian market, but we won’t get it in the UK until summer 2008.

Fiat is on a roll. A few years ago it was all-but-bankrupt and having a messy divorce from GM. Now it’s back on track and building some of the best small cars on the market. Let's hope the sportier 500s perform as well as their more mundane, cheaper siblings.


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M

[cawimmer430]

Continuing the tradition.

[Tarek]

Still would take a Mini S instead!

[Giannis]

Fine, it's a cute little car, but there is no need for a 135hp engine! This car is smaller than my oven, for christ's sake!

[ateekt]

Originally Posted by atuv

Still would take a Mini S instead!

Hell yeah ...!

[MikeJ]

I'd love one... and definitely would choose one over the ubiquitous Mini any day.

[Centurion]

Give me the standard version. I want it to look cute and not like a TechArt Cayenne wannabe.

[Bartek Sikorski]

Exclusive pictures of hot 500
Our spies have caught the fastest Fiat 500 out testing. Check out these exclusive images of 2008's most eagerly anticipated arrival.



The hot Fiat 500 might have been delayed – but as our exclusive
pictures show, the Italian firm's engineers are working furiously to get it ready. The Abarth 'esseesse' city car was originally expected to make its debut at the Tokyo Motor Show last week. However, the project has taken longer than expected, so it will now star at the Geneva Motor Show in March.
Thanks to these revealing image you don’t have to wait until then to see what’s in store, because our spies have caught the hottest version out on the road. They show how the high performance model will look when it arrives in UK showrooms late next year.

Technical details have yet to be confirmed, but expect at least 180bhp from the 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol motor. Our sources are working hard to gather more information, so check out the October 31st Issue of Auto Express for the full story.
500 Abarth SS | Spy Shots | News | Auto Express

[Bartek Sikorski]

Ultimate 500 guns for MINI


Fiat’s 155bhp flagship Abarth SS gets ready to outmuscle Cooper S

Meet the hottest 500 ever built! This is the Abarth SS – a pocket rocket with an engine that’s the brainchild of the man behind the formidable V10s in Ferrari’s Formula One cars.

Legendary motorsport figure Paulo Martinelli has been credited with fine-tuning the four-cylinder in this model, which will hit the UK’s roads in the summer. Described as the ultimate incarnation of the Fiat-based Abarth 500, the top-of-the-range Super Sport, or SS, delivers enough performance to rival MINI’s flagship Cooper S.

The newcomer follows in the foot­steps of its older brother the Abarth Grande Punto SS, promising an uprated 1.4-litre turbo engine and racy looks.

As you can see from our images – which have been produced using a combination of information from our insiders at Fiat and spy shots of the forthcoming model – the Abarth SS will get an aggressive bodykit. What’s more, it is likely to be rounded off by a low front splitter, deep air intakes and twin bonnet vents.

At the rear, there are twin chrome exhausts, as well as a diffuser-style lower bumper. The white paintwork and contrasting red wing mirrors and side stripes are complemented by Abarth’s famous scorpion badging, which features on the wheels, grille and bootlid. Inside, the model has sporty instruments and figure-hugging bucket seats. But what will make the SS a truly special machine is the turbocharged unit under the bonnet.

While the standard Abarth 500’s engine produces 135bhp, the SS has an even more powerful version that delivers 155bhp. With a kerbweight of around 1,000kg, the 500 pro­mises to be a sensational performer: it will complete the sprint from 0-60mph in only 7.5 seconds, and reach a top speed of 130mph. A torque output of 230Nm will ensure superb in-gear acceleration – although changing rat­ios will be a joy, as the car has the same slick-shifting six-speed manual transmission as the Abarth Punto.

To ensure the SS handles just as well as it accelerates, engineers have lowered the suspension, uprated the dampers and springs and fitted larger brakes. What’s more, as with the flagship Grande Punto, customers will be able to choose from an impressive and exclusive line-up of Abarth-branded components. These will include further suspension options, lightweight carbon fibre body parts and bigger brakes, all of which will be available from the UK’s 10 Abarth dealers.

Rumour has it that a special tuning kit is set to be offered as well. It has yet to be officially revealed, but is likely to take peak power to 180bhp – which would give a 0-60mph time of less than seven seconds.

The regular Abarth 500 will make its world debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March, while the SS is set to be launched just before the summer. They are likely to be priced at £13,500 and £15,000 respectively. All Abarth models, including those equipped with after­market tuning parts, will be fully covered under warranty by Fiat.
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/autoexpressnews/214497/ultimate_fiat_500.html

[The Artist]

OMG i want that car on those PS shots BAD..
pray to god it turns out like that