Speculations: Abarth Roadster set to Hit the Streets?

by Clinton Deacon
July 15, 2008 7:00 PM
Filed Under: Artist Renderings, European, Fiat, Rumours

This sexy little roadster would be well suited to fit on the roads of Europe and could fill a gap left in the market after the monumental failure of the Smart roadster. We aren't holding out much hope at the moment, but this little rendering helps stimulate our imagination.

We would expect to see a low displacement engine hiding under the hood, a good contender to occupy this space would be the 1.4-liter engine from the 500 Abarth, possibly slightly detuned from the 135bhp it currently possesses. A Lightweight body construction and Abarth sports components will add to the driving dynamics of the vehicle.

Target price for the Roadster would be in the region of £12,000 and should Abarth press ahead with its development we could expect to see it arrive on the market around 2013.

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Comments

Handling over Power ftw. I really like these kinda cars like Lotuses. Shows how you don't need Big engines to go fast, and they look cute.

Woah, £12k? If this is gonna be made, this could sell like hotcakes!

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by Tuner_mad | July 15, 2008 7:50 PM

but it's a fiat, how on earth is are they planning to make it look sporty? They just don't know how to do sporty.

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by joe_limon | July 15, 2008 11:09 PM

Fiat doesn't make sporty cars because Ferrari does those for them...

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by Kepe | July 16, 2008 2:28 AM

I said sporty, not super exotic.

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by Joe_Limon | July 16, 2008 8:14 AM

Fiat have a history of making stunning coupes/roadsters. Their last one, the Barchetta, had a 1.8L and retailed for 17K Eur I believe.

Until this day I don't know why the smart roadster failed. It was a beautiful car that handled like a classic. I suppose it all comes down to the bottom line.

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by LMS | July 16, 2008 9:24 AM

Are you high? Fiat INVENTED the small sporty car. You've obviously never driven a Fiat 127, 128, 125, 131 Racing, 124, 124 Coupe, 124 Spyder, Uno Turbo, Ritmo Abarth etc etc etc.

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by Lutzie | July 31, 2008 3:28 AM

oh yes... forgot the X1/9, 128 sport coupe, 128 3P as well

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by Lutzie | July 31, 2008 3:30 AM

Nice concept, but I wouldn't expect too much until I hear more details from FIAT. That said, it'd be nice to see a new Barchetta!

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by insomniac | July 15, 2008 11:44 PM

@kepe man u should really think before u post such a stupid comment. this wont be fiat, it will be abarth, something like lexus and toyota. basically totally different car and 50yrs ago when fiat 500/600 abarth came they were the best on all competitions. so yes, fiat(abarth) DOES make sporty cars. btw, alfa doesnt do sporty cars too since ferrari does it for them too?

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by darko2301 | July 16, 2008 2:40 AM

when i mentioned lexus/toyota i didnt mean they make sporty cars, just the relation between companies

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by darko2301 | July 16, 2008 2:42 AM