At the end of July we reported that Abarth is working on its very first car: a sports car that will use Elise’s platform. And today AutoExpress revealed the first rendering of the car. The lightweight two-seater will have a very different shape to the other cars in the Abarth line-up, but familiar will be the scorpion badge, plus a full bodykit and distinctive white and red paintjob.

Under the hood Abarth will place Fiat’s next-generation turbocharged engine, delivering in excess of 200bhp. This should propel the lightweight 900kg package from 0-60mph in less than five seconds.

The Abarth 'Elise' will make its world debut in 2011 after the Lotus Elise will be unveiled in 2010.

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