360HP Fiat 500 Abarth by Romeo Ferraris to Participate in Italian Endurance Race

Romeo Ferraris, as in the Italian tuning firm and racing car builder, has announced that it will take part in the '6 Hours of Vallelunga' endurance race in Italy on November 22 with its specially developed Fiat 500 Abarth competition model. The carbon-fiber bodied Italian hatch with the humongous rear wing packs a heavily modified 1.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produces a whopping 360 horsepower.

The Team Romeo Ferraris Fiat 500 Abarth will be driven Aldo Cerruti, Michela Cerruti and Mario Ferraris.

We remind that according to Chrysler's business plan, the sporty Fiat 500 Abarth is scheduled to arrive on U.S. shores approximately two years after the standard version of the Italian mini, sometime in 2012.

Abarth Takes to the Seas with Special Racing Powerboat Equipped with Three 350HP V8 Engines

Sure, Fiat's rejuvenated motorsport and tuning division is all about cars, but form time to time Abarth likes to extends its reach on other sports also, even if it's only for promotional reasons. The brand with the Scorpion logo has now teamed up with boatmaker Sacs and designer Christian Grande to create the Powershore Abarth SP (Sport Prototype). Based on the Sacs Strider 12S, the racing powerboat is propelled by three 350HP Yamaha V8 outboard engines, specially built for this version.

The powerboat has also been adorned with Abarth racing graphics from the deck to the interior, driving seats, stowage compartments, controls and dashboard.

Powershore Abarth SP - Technical specifications

Length ft: 12.30 m

Width ft: 3.64 m

Propeller draft: 0.7 m

Fuel tank capacity: 900 l

Water tank capacity: 120 l

Wastewater tank capacity: 51 l

Weight with engines: approx. 5.7 t

Sleeps: 2

Engines: 3 x 350 hp Yamaha

V8 – 350 engine - Technical specifications

Power (HP)

Displacement: 5330 cc

Cylinders: V8 (60°)

Valve gear: 32 valves DOCH

Timing: VCT (Variable camshaft timing)

Fuel system: electronic injection (Multi-Point EFI)

Weight: 365 Kg

Hamann Presents Insane Fiat 500 Largo with 265HP at 2009 Frankfurt Show

The Fiat 500 Abarth has certainly caught the attention of the tuning world in Europe. Making its world premiere at the '09 IAA in Frankfurt, the Hamann Largo is one of the most impressive tuning proposals for the Fiat 500 Abarth yet, putting to shame the official 180HP+ Ferrari-badged Abarth 695 special with its heavily modified 1.4-liter turbocharged engine that makes a jaw-dropping 265 horsepower at 5,630 rpm and 348Nm pr 257 lb-ft of torque at 4,200 rpm. Pretty impressive if you consider that the base model makes a mere 135HP and 206Nm.

Hamann has yet to disclose performance figures, but we reckon that 265 ponies in a car the size and weight of the Fiat 500 should a spectacle worth seeing - don't know about driving though...

A sport exhaust system that includes an end muffler with four pipes, a pre-muffler with a metal catalyser and a sport manifold along with a high-performance brake system with internally ventilated brake discs and 4-piston callipers up front and optional 257mm discs at the rear, as well as a sport suspension that lowers the car's centre of gravity by up to 60 mm complete the list of performance mods.

True to Hamann's nature, the Largo features an aggressively styled bodykit with new fender extensions that broaden the car body by 30mm at the front and 35mm at the back, beefy side skirts, front and rear aprons and a diffuser at the back.

The Largo rides on 18-inch alloy wheels wrapped in high-performance sport tires measuring 215/35 ZR18 or optionally, 225/35 ZR18.

As for the interior, changes include but are not limited to, an aluminium pedal set, a door mat set and embroidered logos. Pricing and more details are to be announced at a later date.

Fiat Unleashes 500-Based Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari: Limited Edition Sport Model with Over 180HP

The same Italian supercar maker that's so protective about its name that went as far as to threaten to take legal actions against a Brit that created a 360 Modena limo unless he removed all Prancing Horse emblems, has now given its blessings for the creation of a special edition version of the Fiat 500 Abarth... And unlike last year's special Fiat 500 that is only used as a courtesy car for the Ferrari sales network, the performance-orientated Abarth 695 'Tributo Ferrari' will go on sale.
Fiat said that the new Abarth 695 "Tributo Ferrari" is distinguished by "substantial modifications" developed by Abarth and Ferrari engineers. Starting with the powertrain, the special edition model is fitted with a 1.4-liter turbocharged T-Jet 16v engine tuned to develop "over 180 horsepower".

The four-cylinder unit is coupled to an MTA (Manual Transmission Automated) electromechanical gearbox with race-inspired paddle gearshift that drives the front-wheels.

The hot hatch also gets performance tires that are fitted on 17-inch alloy wheels in a dark finish featuring a Ferrari inspired design. Other upgrades include the more powerful braking system that boasts 284mm multi-section discs Brembo with four-piston calipers and a sportier suspension set up with new shock absorbers.

A "Record Monza" variable back-pressure dual mode exhaust that is designed to improve engine performance and deliver a more sonorous note over 3,000 rpm completes the performance upgrades.

On the outside, the mini is finished in Scuderia Red, with carbon fibre door mirrors and racing stripes, wheels and rear air intakes in 'Racing Grey'. The new Abarth also gets Xenon headlights with dipped and main beam functions.

Inside, special features include the Sabelt bucket sport seats that weight 10 kg or 22 lbs a piece less than the standard seats and are finished in black leather with a shell and seat base in carbon fibre; the black leather steering wheel with red leather inserts and a tricolour hub as well as the new instrument panel specially made by Jaeger and inspired by Ferrari instrumentation.

Other details include the special kick plates, aluminum foot wells and a plate bearing the vehicle series number.

German Tuner gives Fiat 500 Abarth a 200HP Shot of Adrenaline

Karl Schnorr Kraftfahrzeuge, the German tuning firm with the hard to pronounce name, has announced the launch of a sport package with both engine and chassis modifications for the Fiat 500 Abarth that is powered by a 135HP 1.4-liter turbo engibe. Customers can choose between two different engine upgrades. The first kit that costs €950, boosts power by 28HP and 45Nm for a total output of 163HP and peak torque of 251Nm (sport mode).

The second kit, which is priced at €5,050 and includes a remapped ECU, a sport exhaust system and a larger turbocharger, ads an extra 65HP pushing engine output to 200 horsepower - no torque figures were released for the phase two upgrade.

The tuning firm also developed a special coilover kit that drops the ride height by a few millimeters (€1,270). Visual upgrades include new racing stripes and 17-inch OZ alloy wheels finished in red (€1,090).

Fiat 500 Abarth Competizione: Limited Edition Model with a Hefty Price Tag

It's been about a year since Fiat's sporty Abarth firm returned to the Dutch market and to commemorate the event, the brand decided to release a special edition version of the Abarth 500 bearing the Competizione moniker. The model is special in the sense that only 10 will be built with a price tag of €24,995 - that's about $34,800 ahem, ahem... So what will those lucky Dutch buyers get for €3,000 over the price of a standard Abarth 500?

On the outside, the Competizione's features include a black roof top, unique 17-inch alloy wheels finished in black and graphics above the side skirts. Inside, the package adds a set of leather sport seats embossed with the Competizione logo while the standard equipment list now includes a navigation system, climate control, and an upgraded audio system.

In standard form, the 500 Abarth is powered by a 135HP 1.4-liter turbocharged four while Fiat also offers the Essesse kit which boosts output to 160HP.

Via: Autoblog.nl

Fiat Sapor Roadster: Concept Study for a RWD Two-Seater Sports Car

Fiat's link with the Chrysler LLC Group has spurred a wave of speculative reports, product plan forecasts and even design proposals like the Fiat Sapor roadster that was conceived by the crew over at Diseno-Art as an entry-level sports. We see two basic problems with this idea: A. the 500 mini is the only Fiat badged-car set to make it to the States (unless it comes with a Chrysler - Dodge logo) and B. the design itself is very rough, meaning that there's something there, but it definitely needs more work to show its full potential.

According to the designers, the Fiat Sapor's exterior styling is influenced by various Fiat models such as the 124 Spider up front and the X1/9 at the rear. The two-seater features a removable canvas rooftop that stows away into a special compartment behind the rear seats.

As for the roadster's mechanical hardware, the Sapor was designed to feature a front-mounted engine that sends power to the rear wheels. The designers claim that one possible option could be Fiat's 1.4-liter turbocharged four that makes 180HP in the Abarth Grande Punto Esseesse hatch.

Via: Diseno-art

Fiat Releases New Sport Seats for Abarth Grande Punto and Abarth 500

Current or soon-to-be owners of the Abarth Grande Punto and Abarth 500 sport hatchbacks will now be able to enhance their cars with a new set of bucket seats that were created in collaboration with Italian specialist, Sabelt. The lightweight, body retaining sport seats are available in two versions, in Frau black leather with fretworked black Alcantara, or black "F1" technical fabric. Both seats are finished with red thread seams, a distinctive embroidered Abarth name, and the Scorpion Logo on the backrest tilt wheel.

In Britain, the 'Abarth Corse by Sabelt' seats are offered throughout Abarth's 16-strong dealer network and are priced at £2250 per pair (leather) or £1760 per pair (fabric). They will initially be available on the Abarth Grande Punto, followed later in the year by the Abarth 500 version.

Rinspeed's Fiat 500 Abarth E2 with Dual Power Mode

For this year's Geneva Motor Show, Swiss tuner and concept car specialist Rinspeed has developed a modified Fiat 500 Abarth study badged "E2" featuring a dual power mode system that affects the engine electronics. What this system does is, with the touch of a button, it reduces the output of the 500 Abarth's 1.4-liter turbocharged engine, from 160HP to 60HP. The 60-horsepower 'Commuting' mode, which is more suitable for city traffic, helps the 500 Abarth achieve an average consumption of around 4.0 lt / 100 km or 58.8mpg U.S.

Outside the city, the 'Highway' mode frees the 1.4 Turbo engine' 160HP. Fuel consumption in this mode is in the neighborhood of seven liters per 100 kilometers or 33.6mpg US.

"Just like the auto industry has to adjust to the demands of a new era, tuners have to look for new ways to do business as well," said Rinspeed boss Frank M. Rinderknecht.

"I don't believe too much in eco tuning. Many drivers are not willing to miss out on driving fun and don't want to drive a something that announces to the world that they do without. But the number of people who want to use our energy supply responsibly not in the least because they want to protect our environment will grow quickly," he added.

Yamaha FZ1 Abarth Assetto Corse Concept Bike with 150HP R1 Engine

We don't usually post articles on motorcycles but this time we are obliged to make an exception. The 'naked' Yamaha concept bike you see in the picture above was developed in cooperation with Fiat's sport division, Abarth as part of the celebrations to mark the 100th birthday of the Italian firm's founder Karl Abarth (born on November 15. 1908). The prototype model is based on the FZ1 which is powered by a 1,0-liter engine derived from the Yamaha's R1 supersport bike. The 4-cylinder unit produces an output of 150HP at 11,000 rpm.

The FZ1 Abarth Assetto Corso is distinguished by the classic Abarth livery which combines Abarth's Scorpion and Yamaha's three tuning-fork logo. Mechanical improvements on the concept bike include a new Akrapovic exhaust as well as suspension and brake upgrades.

Along with the FZ1 Abarth Assetto Corso, Fiat's sport division marked Karl Abarth's centenary with the release of a limited edition version of the 500 Abarth (click here for details and photos) and a snazzy high performance desktop powered by the new Intel Core i7 Extreme processor (click here to check it out).

Fiat Abarth Powerplay Extreme: Cool Intel Desktop for Videogamers

If gasoline runs in your veins then you're certainly going to get a kick out of this Abarth branded desktop that was revealed by the firm's parent company Fiat. The "Abarth Powerplay Extreme" is the first fruit of a new collaboration between Fiat's sporty subsidiary and Intel that was begun with the aim of developing state-of-the-art products and electronic devices. The particular high performance desktop with its eye-catching design was produced by Italy's Brain Technology Spa and is powered by the new Intel Core i7 Extreme processor which is supposed to be the most powerful microchip ever produced by Intel.

"The decision to create a product designed for videogamers 'emerged from the realization that this market segment is a rigorous test bench for personal computers. Videogamers are some of the most demanding users, able to assess a computer's real performance and to push it to its highest limits," said Fiat's Abarth division in a statement released to the press.

Abarth and Intel intend to present the high-end desktop all over Europe through the "Intel Friday Night Game", a videogame championship recognized by the Electronic Sports League, in which the best videogamers and teams from over 30 countries compete.

The Italian firm has not announced pricing for the Abarth Powerplay Extreme PC or any details concerning its availability.

Fiat 500 Abarth "DA 0 A 100": Special Edition Version in Memory of Karl Abarth

If there's one thing that there's no shortage of in Turin, that's special edition versions of the 500. Fiat's latest creation is based on the sporty 500 Abarth and it has been built to mark Karl Abarth's centenary. Called the 500 Abarth "DA 0 A 100", this particular version is equipped with a modified 1.4-liter turbocharged engine delivering 160HP and a peak torque of 230 Nm. The commemorative model also features different gear ratios helping it to reach 100 km/h (60mph) from a standing start in 7.3 sec. The "DA 0 A 100's" top speed is 211 km/h or 131mph.

Furthermore, Abarth's engineers improved the 500s stopping power by adding perforated disc brakes front and rear and high performance front brake pads. Other modifications include a new air filter "powered by BMC", special low springs and new 17" alloy wheels – with chrome-plated hub covers and Scorpion logo in relief – complete with Pirelli PZero Nero 205/40 R16 ZR 17 tires.

On the outside, the special edition 500 Abarth stands out for its Nuvolari Grey bodywork complemented by the side stripe with a tone-on-tone effect, the chrome-plated identification badges and wing mirror cases as well as the four (...) exhaust tailpipes.

The interior gets the same kind of treatment with special leather seats in 'hide' color featuring silver stitching. The thumb-rests on the steering wheel (the centre is decorated with the Italian flag) are also covered with hide colored leather, while the gear lever knob, the kick plate branded "da 0 a 100" and the special "da 0 a 100" plate with the number of the car are all aluminum. The same "da 0 a 100" branding can be found on the fuel tank cover, the ignition key fob and the car cover.

Fiat hasn't announced pricing yet but the Italians did reveal that only a total of 101 units will be manufactured.

Abarth Gears Up with New Apparel Line

At the beginning of July, Abarth signed a license agreement with Basic Net, owner of Kappa, Robe di Kappa, Superga and K-way brands for the production and sale of Abarth labeled products. Now the Italian automaker has announced that it will reveal its first collection of Kappa apparels at the Paris motorshow in October. The initial lineup will include jackets and long-sleeve t-shirts with sales expected to start in Europe in a few weeks time. -Continued