Fiat 500 Abarth: Scorpion Sting

Motoring Channel Staff - 19/February/2008

Turin, Italy — While 99kW of power may not sound like much (135hp sounds like more), it's not the power that will make this Italian pocket rocket fun to drive.

Launching at the 2008 Geneva Motor Show in Switzerland, the Fiat 500 Abarth will deliver 206Nm of torque @ 3000rpm from its fuel efficient 1.4-litre turbo petrol engine, which will give the miniature performance car plenty of punch.

The 'Abarth' version of the upcoming Fiat 500 is the performance model, the HSV of the Commodore range to use a local parallel.

Though it's 1.4-litre petrol engine doesn't sound very powerful with just 99 kilowatts, the car itself doesn't weigh very much which means the power to weight ratio doesn't suffer terminally.

Fiat hasn't released official figures on how fast the hot Italian hatch will accelerate from zero to 100km/h, but it is expected to be more than 8.0 seconds.

Fiat's small but responsive turbo engine already adheres to the Euro 5 emissions legislation (meaning it's a clean engine) and kicks out 99kW @ 5500rpm and 180Nm @ 2500rpm.

However, when driven in 'Sport' mode the engine pumps more turbo pressure, boosting peak torque to 206Nm @ 3000rpm.

Though larger in size, the upcoming Fiat 500 Abarth's main rival will be another iconic car, the Mini Cooper S. That has a larger 1.6-litre engine and consequently is more powerful with stronger acceleration.

But the difference is that every man and his dog has a Mini these days, and the Abarth Fiat 500 model is expected to be highly sought after.

Helping the cause is the new body work, which includes a bolder front apron design that sits closer to the ground, plus side skirts and a lower rear apron. 

Abarth stickers adorn the flanks, and an Abarth badge floats within the grille, showing off the scorpion motif.

Retro/newtro alloy wheels fitted snugly underneath flared wheel arches provide the tiny Italian with a road-hugging stance, and Fiat claims that it will indeed hug the road thanks to a new Torque Transfer Control system, or TTC.

According to Fiat, the TTC "improves the transfer of drive torque to the wheels, but, above all, ensures that the car behaves impeccably on bends, making it safer and more entertaining even with a sporty driving style."

While the new Fiat 500 is selling fast before it's even arrived in Australia, the Abarth performance model has a good chance of coming Down Under due to the base car's popularity. But this probably won't happen for another year at least.

Furthermore, Abarth is believed to be developing a Fiat 500 Abarth 'SS' model, which could pump out an extra 35kW, taking the figure to 134kW (180hp) and output around 250Nm of torque. This vehicle would be a more serious threat for Mini Cooper S, but isn't expected to break cover until after the 500 Abarth breaks cover in Geneva.

The new car was developed by the Fiat Group Automobiles Style Center and pays homage to the spirit of the legendary Fiat 500 Abarth of the 1960s and will go on sale in Europe from July 2008.

Related articles:
- Fiat 500
- Fiat Grande Punto