fiat 500 abarth performance sports car

soon to be available in the united states is a more powerful model of the ‘abarth’, the performance version of the ‘fiat 500’

at the LA auto show this november 18th through 27th, chrysler will officially announce the US version of the ‘abarth’, the performance model of the ‘fiat 500‘, set to be available beginning in february 2012. already available in europe, the car is modeled after karl abarth’s 1960’s racing vehicles, coined under the phrase ‘small but wicked’.

with its turbocharged 1.4L ‘multiair‘ engine, the vehicle attains 160-horsepower, in contrast to the 135-horsepower of its european counterpart. an add-on ‘tuner’ option is expected to raise this value by ten to twenty horsepower. the company’s ‘multiair’ system reduces fuel consumption and cuts carbon dioxide emissions by 10 to 25 percent.

the vehicle will be available with 16-inch or 17-inch wheels. inside, racing style seats open unto a centrally-mounted console containing the 5-speed drive shaft as well as climate and audio controls.

keep posted for updates in the coming weeks as chrysler reveals more information about the ‘fiat 500 abarth’.

3/4 rear view

interior view image © fiataly, via fiat500abarth.us

closer view of cockpit image © fiataly, via fiat500abarth.us

rear view of a test model of the vehicle image © fiataly, via fiat500abarth.us

the ‘abarth’ crest