Geneva 2008: Fiat 500 Abarth

[Overheat]

The Fiat 500 Abarth gets a comprehensive sporting-up, with large alloy wheels, side skirts, fat bumpers, wider front wings, twin exhausts, a cheeky roof spoiler, red-capped mirrors, a red-trimmed interior with bucket seats, and eye-catching decals.

Living up to its looks, the 500 Abarth gets a 135bhp version of the turbocharged 1.4 16v petrol engine, with two-mode operation: a 'sport' mode gives up to 152lb ft of torque, peaking higher at 3000rpm, compared to the 'normal' mode's 133lb ft at 2,500rpm. Features also include Torque Transfer Control (TTC), a system to enhance the transfer of torque to the wheels which, says Abarth, 'ensures that the car behaves impeccably in bends, making it safer and more entertaining even with a sporty driving style.'

Abarth promises that the new car is 'faithful to the phrase coined for the Abarths of the 1960s - small but wicked.' And whilst 135bhp might not sound too devilish, we suspect that 'Assetto' and 'Essesse' upgrade kits, as offered with the Grande Punto Abarth, may well follow this initial launch of the 500 Abarth.

Fiat is setting up Abarth as a dedicated performance division, and it has just opened new premises at the Mirafiori complex near Turin. This facility will house the Abarth Racing Team (moved from Chivasso) and all the Abarth design, manufacturing and management activities.

The Abarth Racing team will start the 2008 season with the Intercontinental Rally Challenge, in which two Grande Punto Abarth S2000s will compete, and then the Italian Rally Championships. Abarth Championship races - a one-make series for the Grande Punto R3D - will also take place.