Next generation Lotus Elise to underpin Abarth sports car
Rumors of a new sports car from Abarth have been circulating for months, and although details are still sketchy, one thing's for sure: a mid-mounted engine is part of the package. Autocar is confirming previous rumors that Fiat's sport division has struck a deal with Lotus to use the next Elise as the basis for the new sports car.
The third generation Elise will debut in 2010, with an all-new aluminum architecture that will be slightly wider and longer than the current model. The Abarth version will feature different composite body panels, and will make use of new 240 hp, turbocharged and direct-inject four-cylinder currently being developed by Fiat. The Abarth roadster will debut in Europe a year after the Elise, and if Fiat's plans of coming to the U.S. are realized, we might even get our own version in the States.
[Source: Autocar]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
notYou 8:02PM (7/29/2008)
Uh oh, it looks like the designers saw the TR2N preview.
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MachinaDC5 8:07PM (7/29/2008)
It kind of looks like a supervillain.
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Talkurt 8:33PM (7/29/2008)
and it will cost $38,000 :/ how about a fun car like this for $20-25k
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RG 8:17AM (7/30/2008)
It sounds like this Abarth, which is based off of the next Elise and will have 240-hp sounds like it will be a better deal than the next Elise, which at most will have the same hp as this Abarth and cost more as well.
Doesn't make sense Lotus, why create low cost competitors for yourself?
duo 8:56PM (7/29/2008)
Wow!
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tankd0g 11:13PM (7/29/2008)
Wider and longer. What new cars have in common with those male enhancement emails I keep getting.
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chuckles 3:03AM (7/30/2008)
Wow! Looks like theyre designing cars in flash now. Red wheels go!
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Sorin 4:36AM (7/30/2008)
This is one hell of a car. All that red is worth everything. I like it. If they used other colour, I don't know if it matches.
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