
click above for more high-res images of the Fiat 500 Abarth
The slow progress being made towards the full reveal of the Fiat 500 Abarth is nearly complete, but a few more loose lips have revealed official specs that look more than promising. The 500 Abarth will pack more hotness per cubic inch of hatch than most other three-doors in Europe thanks to a 1.4L turbo four-cylinder producing 135 bhp at 5,500 rpm and 152 pound feet of torque at 3,000 rpm in Sport mode. In Normal mode, Fiat has the 500 Abarth producing 133 pound feet of torque at 2,500 rpm. The car also gets Fiat's new Torque Transfer Control system, which sounds like a fancy solution to the torque steer that would otherwise send a car like this veering towards the telephone poles.
What's interesting is that the larger Grande Punto Abarth also uses a 1.4L turbo four-cylinder, though tuned up to produce 155 bhp. This suggests that tuners will easily be able to turn up the wick on the 500 Abarth's engine for havoc-wreaking hatchback hotness.
[Source: Carscoop]













Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
clinton @ Feb 18th 2008 3:08PM
its not a leak, its official
Ilya @ Feb 18th 2008 3:08PM
De-tuning sucks.
lovice @ Feb 18th 2008 3:31PM
If by detuning, Fiat can keep the price down. Then I think it's a good thing for most hot hatch consumers. Coz it leaves space for people to either tune it back to the original form (155bhp&180bhp), or to their preferred level.
Enok @ Feb 18th 2008 3:30PM
Maybe this model won't be found under pine needles in people's back yards, like every other Fiat.
Matt Keller @ Feb 18th 2008 3:54PM
You all do realize that this is the one that's coming to the US right?
bepsf @ Feb 18th 2008 4:06PM
I'd be happy with a turbodiesel 500
Jason Bird @ Feb 18th 2008 4:40PM
If I can fit...I'll buy one...if they ever come back to the US.
Bancho @ Feb 18th 2008 5:52PM
Send one over in base trim with the turbodiesel and I'll buy one right away. Hell, I'd probably be more than happy with the 1.2 or 1.4 normally aspirated gas engines as well. Just send some 500's our way...please!
Ilya @ Feb 18th 2008 11:57PM
You're right in a way, but how does detuning help to keep the prices down? It's not like the detuned ECU costs more...
Ilya @ Feb 18th 2008 11:58PM
My comment went to lovice. Something is wrong with the reply button once again.
79Nik @ Feb 19th 2008 3:38AM
In september will start the selling of the SS version with the 160 hp engine. I think it's enough power for a such small car
MikeInNC @ Feb 19th 2008 10:18AM
If they could deliver one of these by December of 08 to me, I'm not joking when I say I'd put down a deposit right freakin now.
Punkcrisis @ Feb 19th 2008 7:43PM
If only they made car's like this in Canada!