If Fiat's 500 retro re-make didn't get you turned on at the official launch in Turin's Murazzi del Po area back in July, Fiat is developing a sportier 'Abarth SS' model to mark the return of its Abarth tuning division, named after Carlo Abarth's racing car make from 1949. Following the release of the 180 bhp Grande Punto Abarth Concept SS in Frankfurt, we expect the 'Cinquecento' Abarth SS, standing for Super Sport, to be powered by the same 1.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, but whether it will get the full 180 bhp is still up in the air.
Earlier, we unveiled spy pictures of the 135 bhp 500 Abarth, but these latest pictures of the 'Abarth SS' show that Fiat has chosen to give its 500 model range some more muscle. Visual changes can be seen on the front bumper, where additional air-intakes channel more cooling air to the brakes and the engine. New side skirts wrap around to a new rear bumper housing fat dual-exhaust pipes. Meanwhile Fiat's standard 500 Abarth models have only a single exhaust set-up, the Abarth SS dual-pipe set-up promises more power.
While some sources state that the Abarth SS will get roughly 150 bhp, we expect the Abarth SS to get the 1.4-litre turbocharged with the full 180 bhp found in its big brother 'Grande Punto'. Fiat has made it no secret that it wants a share of the premium super-mini car segment that MINI has presidingly dominated for the past five years and a 180 bhp Fiat Abarth SS might be just the perfect challenger for Mini's top-of-the-range Cooper S. Stepping on MINI's home turf, Fiat's Abarth SS would claim the crown of the most powerful supermini! Stay tuned for more information! How do you think that the Abart SS would compare to a Cooper S?
Fiat 500 Abarth SS
Copyright by KGP Photography / Spy Photo of Fiat 500 Abarth SS
A "Cooper S" Killer?
By Alexander
September 18, 2007 12:47 AM
Filed Under: European, Fiat, Spy Photos
Comments
tommybluesky
September 18, 2007 10:28 AM
Well, probably it will get the 180hp engine, it can not permit that a 207 RC or a Polo GTI has more power... But what about JCW's Mini as a threat? Would be pumping up a Fiat 1.4-litre engine to more than 200hp to much?
alexander
September 18, 2007 1:26 PM
You're right about the 207 RC and the Polo GTI, but it would undoubtedly cannibalize the sales of a potential Grande Punto Abarth SS, unless they tune up the power in the GP. But I sure hope that the 500 Abarth SS comes with 180 hp! Sure JCW's Mini would be a faster ... but all things considered, the majority of sales come from the the standard 500 (battling with Mini One/Cooper), which in itself is already a very capable car!
Hako
February 19, 2009 12:55 AM
I would be thrilled with a 500 Abarth regardless of available horsepower. The 135 bhp would be more than adequate for everyday fun, the 150 bhp more than enough for me. Just bring it to the States, in ANY form, as soon as possible please. I would purchase one today, along with thousands of others, if it were available. If it turns out that the 500 Abarth doesn't arrive by spring of 2010, I would get the Fiat 500 anyway, cuz it's a very nice little car on it's own. Come on Chrysler, get some of those Fiats and Alfas Stateside.....before you slip totally under the waves.
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