As much as we love horsepower-crazy rear-wheel drive cars, “mini-bombs” have their own appeal; they’re fast, cheap to buy and run (with European standards) and they’re your best bet in moving around densely populated cities. UK magazine Autoexpress is giving us a preview of two of the most anticipated mini GTi’s in Europe: the Fiat 500 Abarth and its first cousin, the 2008 Ford Ka ST. Cousins? Yes casue Ford signed an agreement with Fiat in 2006, under which the Italians will manufacture the new Ford Ka and Fiat 500 at their plant in Tychy, Poland. Both models will be based on a shortened version of the Fiat Panda’s platform. -Read more after the jump
Among the two, the first one to come out in the European market will be the Fiat 500 Abarth which will get a sporty bodykit, and most importantly, a 1.4 T-Jet engine powering the front wheels through a 6speed manual gearbox. While Autoexpress assumes that the Abarth will be fitted with the 150Hp version of the 1.4-litre engine, in our opinion, it’s more logical that Fiat will avoid any perfomance conflicts with the Grande Punto Abarth preferring the 120Hp version.
The Ka ST, which will replace the current SportKa with its normally aspirated 1.6-liter engine, will make its appearance towards the end of 2008. While we’re pretty sure about the 500’s mechanics, there’s little to say with certainty about the Ka ST. Its basic versions will definitely wear the same powertrains as the 500, but there’s no word on whether Fiat & Ford’s agreement includes the top-of-the-range 1.4 T-Jet engine. Then again, is it possible (mechanic-wise and cost-wise) for Ford to put one of its own powetrains –lets say for example, the new 125Hp 1.6-liter, on the 500/Ka platform? We seriously doubt it.
Via: Autoblog.it , Source: Autoexpress
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