Autoblog

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You have to admire Fiat's spunky rejuvenated Abarth division. Its first model is barely on the market yet, its second model is about to be unveiled, and it's already taking on challengers and shouting "What's next?" At a media preview for the new 500 Abarth in Turin, Italy, Fiat confirmed speculation that an even more powerful version would be offered as soon as November of this year. The 500 Abarth being shown in Geneva is equipped with a 135-hp turbo four, while the "esse-esse" (read: SS) kit will offer a host of performance and visual upgrades to bring the sprightly retromobile up to 160 hp.

The availability of the optional equipment makes sense, since a similar package was revealed for the Grande Punto Abarth, and the 500's kit is likewise expected to be available direct from the showroom, or retrofitted to an existing 500 Abarth up to one year or 20,000 km after purchase. If the 500 Abarth "esse-esse" is to hit the market in November, we could see it unveiled at the Paris auto salon in early October.

[Source: Carscoop]

You knew it was strictly a matter of time. AutoExpress is reporting that Fiat intends to bring a convertible version of its popular 500 micro-car to Geneva in March. The only vehicle that has the potential of challenging the MINI's cuteness and flickability will come with a soft-top that will attempt to keep the bulbous rooflines of the coupe model, complete with a glass rear window and doors that are fully framed. But Fiat isn't stopping there. To challenge the Cooper S, the automaker also plans to unveil the 500 Abarth SS in Geneva, packing a turbo'd 1.4-liter four producing 155 hp. Sales of both models should begin sometime towards the end of the year.

[Source: AutoExpress]

Before you overlook the Fiat 500 Abarth SS as just another sporty hatch that will be sold in a few select European markets, note that it could be sold in the U.S. as well as Asia-Pacific as an alternative to cars like the MINI Cooper. In July, Fiat boss Sergio Marchionne hinted that selling the 500 outside of Europe was a definite option, although nothing has been confirmed.

Abarth is now a performance line for Fiat models and the new 500 Abarth SS and its larger Fiat Grande Punto Abarth SS sibling are set to arrive in European showrooms early next year. These new spy shots depict the Fiat 500 Abarth SS, a hot little hatch with a 1.4L turbocharged engine developing a rumored 180 HP, the same amount as the larger and heavier Punto version. There will also be a sports handling pack to make sure owners can take advantage of the extra bump in power, with stiffer springs and wider tires than the base 500.

To differentiate it from the 500 minicar on which it's based, developers have also added new bumpers with larger air intakes, a set of hood scoops, a roof mounted spoiler and dual exhaust pipes.

[Source: Auto Motor Und Sport]

click above image to view high-res gallery of the Fiat Grande Punto Abarth SS

Fiat has big plans for the resurrected Abarth brand, wasting no time with a 180 HP splash in the body of the Grande Punto Abarth SS. Fiat plans to use Abarth as an in-house tuning and racing concern, and this car demonstrates the kind of tuning they have in mind.

There are two Grande Punto Abarths: the base model comes to the party with "just" 150 HP, but the SS takes it up to 180 HP. The Abarth SS models also get a nice body kit that looks like it came from a Transformers spare parts bin. The interior is clean and basic, but not spartan, and well-laid out. Good luck to anyone who doesn't plan on racing everyone and everything at every stop light. For a small hatch, it's one of the hottest cars out there -- check out the special edition Frankfurt Auto Show wheels -- and the hottest presenters didn't hurt either.

Check out the press release after the jump, and be sure to check out the gallery of hi-res images.

UPDATE: Official Press Release and engine details added

click on either image to enlarge

Back in February, Fiat previewed the look of its Grande Punto Abarth, a high-performance version of its popular hatch wearing the storied Abarth name and scorpion badge. At the Frankfurt Motor Show next month, the automaker will unveil the Grande Punto Abarth Super Sport, or 'essesse'. From what we can tell, the Abarth SS version of the Grande Punto will add a more aggressive body kit to the car on which it's based, including wider fender flares to accommodate a larger wheel/tire package, three large air intakes in the front bumper, new side mirrors, a rear spoiler that integrates with the body and a new rear bumper that wraps around two big tailpipes.

Of course, the new body kit presupposes more power, and Fiat tells us that the SS will have nearly double the power of the base model Grande Punto, which puts out around 90bhp. The SS will produce 180bhp then, around 25-30bhp more than the standard Abarth. Commensurate upgrades to the Abarth's suspension and brakes are included, as well. While Fiat is officially calling the Grande Punto Abart SS a prototype, our boys from Autoblog Spanish indicate that it's likely to see production, if only in limited numbers.

[Source: Fiat]