Spy Shots: Abarth hatching plans for new hot hatches
by Noah Joseph on Oct 11th 2009 at 6:07PM 
Fiat's Abarth performance division only has two basic product lines, so how many revisions can it possibly have on the burner? Well, two, as reports emerging from Europe suggest.Following hot on the heels of the 695 Tributo Ferrari unveiled in Frankfurt and the rally-spec R3T presented in Sanremo, come spy photos of an Abarth version of the ragtop Fiat 500C. Reports first emerged of an Abarth 500C a couple of months back, but what looks to be a working example has been spied at Abarth's Officine 83 Mirafiori facility. Sources expect a possible debut in March at the Geneva Motor Show.
Meanwhile, there are also more reports of an updated Punto Abarth. The hot hatch is expected to wear cosmetic modifications concurrent with the new Fiat Punto Evo, and the 170hp 1.4-liter MultiAir four from the Alfa Romeo MiTo Quadifoglio Verde is tipped to replaced the existing 155hp engine. Reports also suggest that the Abarth could be one of the first Fiat group products to showcase the company's new six-speed dual-dry-clutch transmission.
While the new Punto isn't expected to make it Stateside, there's a strong chance the Abarth 500 will. However there's no word yet as to if and when the 500 range might get the MultiAir engine and DSG.
[Sources: eurocarblog and jokeforblog]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Flea 6:50PM (10/11/2009)
I've heard veeeery little about FIAT's double clutch tranny, but if they make it cheaper than VW's yet able to handle similiar torque figures, it's going to be awesome for sure.
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MrEllawood 8:08PM (10/11/2009)
Hi, I write from Italy.
For the dual-dry-clutch transmission max 350 Nm torque...
This type of transmission is also good for 2.0 diesel-engine and V6 gasoline-engine...
Shiftright 10:08PM (10/11/2009)
Sign me up for the first Abarth 500 that comes stateside. I'd prefer the cabrio, but I'll take either.
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Kattleox 1:19AM (10/12/2009)
No car has ever given me this bad of wantitis. I like Lamborghinis, Ferraris, Koenigseggs, but for whatever reason the Abarth cars make me so hot I cant think straight.
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larry raines 11:21AM (10/28/2009)
500C Abarth, I am going to put my sleeping bag in front of a dealership this evening
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