When Fiat officially launched the 500 in July, they announced that a Abarth version will also be unveiled this October at the Tokyo motor Show. The 500 Abarth will go on sale on the Europeans market starting 2008 and will also be available on the US market starting 2010.

2008 Fiat 500 Abarth

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2008 Fiat 500 Abarth

The 500 Abarth will be a fast and affordable city cars offering giant-killing performance. Compared to the standard 500, the Abarth version will have a more muscular look featuring lower side skirts, inspired by the classic 595 Abarth. The Fiat logo will be replaced by the Abarth badge on both front and rear.

The front bumper will be specially designed and houses the main beam headlights set in a black surround, while the larger air intakes, adapted to cater for the new engine’s cooling requirements, will be enhanced with an exclusive Abarth design. The skirts, the wheel arch rims and black plastic underbody complete the fairing on the lower section, profiled to boost aerodynamic performance and extending as far as the tapered rear bumper.

But most of the Abarth treatment will be related to it's performance. The 500 Abarth will be powered by a 1.4-litre turbocharged engine delivering around 150 hp. The 0 to 60 mph sprint will be made in about 8 seconds.

Inside the driver will also feel the Abarth touch. The charismatic figure of the scorpion will be found on one side of the dashboard, the instrument panel has a sporty design, with the same look for the steering wheel and gear stick, finished in black leather with red stitching.

The 500 Abarth will also get a SS version, more powerful and sporty. The 1.4 liter turbocharged will have an output of 180 hp, the same power as in it's bigger brother Grande Punto. The 500 Abarth SS will compete with Mini Cooper S.

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History

The first Fiat 500 developed by Carlo Abarth was the "500 Derivazione Abarth", unveiled in September 1957 at the Torino Auto Show. The model was based on the standard Fiat 500, featuring Abarth special customization. The 500 Abarth became famous in February 1958, when the car was used to establish a record speed on the Monza automobile race track. The car drive uninterruptedly for seven days, with an average speed of 108 km/h.

In 1963 a hot version of the Fiat 500 became available, tuned by Fiat specialists Abarth. Based on the standard 500 the Abarth featured uprated suspension and a more powerful version of the 594cc twin cylinder 500 engine. Externally the Abarth featured sports wheels and some unique body styling.

The 595 unveiled in 1963 remained in production until 1971. The car was not only designed by Abarth, it was also mounted by the company; in fact, Abarth received from Fiat incomplete cars and mounted their special pieces and sold the cars under the Abarth badge. The 595 had two different series: one built between '63 to '65 and based on the new Fiat 500 D, and one built from '65 to '71 and based on the 500 F.

Starting 1964, Abarth began to built other cars based on the 500. The cars built from '64 to '65 were based on the 500 D, the next ones were based on the 500 F, and the Lusso models were based on the 500 L.

  • 595 SS - built between 1964 and 1971; it was powered by the same engine as the 595, but had 32 hp DIN;
  • 695 - built between 1964 and 1966; it was powered by a 689,5 cc engine with 30 hp DIN;
  • 695 SS - built between 1964 and 1971; powered by a 689 cc engine, with an output of 38 hp;
  • 695 SS Assetto Corsa - built starting the end of '65 to the end of '71. Same engine as the 696 SS.
  • 595 Lusso - built between 1969 and 1971; same engine as the 595. 
  • 595 SS Lusso - 1969-1971;  same engine as the 595 SS.
  • 695 SS Lusso - 1969-1971; same engine as the 695 SS.
  • 595 Competizione - 1970-1971; same engine as the 595;
  • 595 Competizione Lusso     - 1970-1971; 595 engine;
  • 595 SS Competizione - 1970-1971; 595 SS engine;
  • 595 SS Competizione Lusso - 1970-1971; 595 SS engine;
  • 695 SS Competizione - 1970-1971; 695 SS engine;
  • 695 SS Competizione Lusso - 1970-1971; 695 SS engine.

Abarth stopped the production in 1971.

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Competitors

Mini Cooper

The highly successful MINI produced by BMW starting with the year 2000 will come as a 2007 model with a completely new skin, but perfectly maintaining the original appeal and charisma of the previous installment. Without fail improved and polished in design, the new MINI presents an all-new drive-train technology for even superior agility.

The 1598 cc naturally aspirated power unit in the MINI Cooper offers a maximum output of 120 bhp at 6,000 rpm. The engine torque reaches 103 lb-ft at just 2,000 rpm, peaking at 118 lb-ft once the engine reaches 4,250 rpm. Due to the extended range of useful engine speed, this compact power unit combines superior driving pleasure with equally superior fuel economy.

This ultra-modern R4 engine features a new fully variable valve control system based on the BMW Group’s unique VALVETRONIC, innovative valve management adjusting intake valve lift and opening times within fractions of a second to current power and performance requirements. The big benefit of this arrangement is that it substitutes the conventional throttle butterfly serving on “normal” engines to translate movement of the gas pedal into rising or falling engine speeds.

The MINI Cooper come as standard with a six-speed manual gearbox. Moreover, is also available as an option with automatic transmission again featuring six gears. Automatic transmission also enables the driver to shift gears manually whenever he wishes by means of paddles on the steering wheel, just like in Formula 1. The big advantage is that the driver is always able to leave his hands on the steering wheel when shifting gears, thus keeping his car fully under control in every situation.

Volvo C30

A sporty design, two doors, four individual seats, and a glass tailgate give the C30 a unique character that will attract new Volvo buyers. “The new C30 is a cool car. A car that aims for a group of young singles, or couples, with an intense urban lifestyle. These people prioritise excitement in design and driving characteristics, and this car is designed to suit their taste and lifestyle,” says Fredrik Arp, President and CEO of Volvo Cars.

The new Volvo C30 has a wide selection of engines, ranging from a 100 hp, four-cylinder 1.6-litre petrol engine, a clean and efficient four-cylinder, 1.6-litre diesel with 109 hp to the five-cylinder D5 and T5 turbo engines, providing 180 and 220 hp respectively.

All engines have four-valve technology and double overhead camshafts, which contribute to the quick response and good high-speed characteristics. The most powerful petrol engine (T5) is turbo charged, and has very high and even torque from low to high engine speeds (320 Nm from 1500 to 4800 rpm). This makes the Volvo C30 very responsive, with willing acceleration.