These days, Abarth is probably best known in the U.S. for its performance tuned Fiat 500s. This year, the brand will be bringing four specially-tuned units to the 2013 Geneva Motor Show.
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Fiat has unveiled two design studies that will make their official debut at the 2013 Detroit Auto Show tomorrow.
Abarth is no stranger to the Tokyo Auto Salon, being a regular attendee for many years now. At this year’s show the Italian automaker showed off its 595 Competizione and 695 Edizione Maserati models.
The freshly announced Fiat 500 Abarth Cabrio already has a cheeky commercial, focusing on the topless theme of the car by showing off a certain super model, completely topless.
Aiming to broaden appeal for the performance-oriented version of its city car, the Fiat 500 Abarth Cabrio made its U.S. debut on the L.A. show floor today.
As expected, the Fiat 500 Abarth Cabriolet will be making its North American debut at the upcoming 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show.
A pleasant surprise greeted us in the Mopar booth at the 2012 SEMA Show; an SRT Viper modified by none other than famed Italian tuning house, Abarth.
“Do you come with the car?” Sadly, no, but you can now get an Abarth with more accessories than ever before.
At this year’s Paris Motor Show, Abarth will introduce its new personalization service, showcasing the possibilities on an Abarth 695 model.
It didn’t used to be free, but now it is thanks to Fiat – an English/Italian translator app distributed through the iOS App Store.
Abarth will be adding two new models to its lineup in the UK market, with the 595 Turismo and 595 Competizione heading to dealerships sporting a turbocharged 1.4-liter, T-Jet powerplant with 160-hp.
Fiat’s latest commercial, “Immigrants,” gives a cinematic portrayal of the 500 making its journey from Italy to the U.S., but as anyone who watched it will know, several cars were apparently sacrificed in the process.
When it goes on sale, the Fiat Abarth 695 Maserati Edition won’t be available in the U.S. and that’s a good thing because dealers would have to tack “unsellable” onto its laughably long name.
Back at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show, Abarth unveiled its 695 Tributo Maserati, a custom Fiat 500C inspired by fellow Italian automaker, Maserati. The special edition model will now make it to production as the 695 Edizione Maserati.
Catrinel Menghia, the lingerie model who starred in the Fiat brand’s sexy Super Bowl ad is back in several new spots for the Italian automaker.
Helping promote the new Fiat 500 Abarth performance model, the ad was a clear indication of a change in gears from the automaker, after dropping its female US brand boss and its female-targeted J-Lo ads for some sex appeal directed right at a male audience.
Are they as good as the original? Are you going to watch them anyway no matter what we say? Of course you are. So stop reading and start watching below:
It appears that is Fiat will continue to expand its American 500 offerings based on documents filed with NHTSA and the California Air Resources Board (CARB).
Positioned between the standard Fiat 500 and the more powerful Abarth model, the 500T Sport should feature a less powerful version of the turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder currently found in the Abarth 500.
The Abarth model pumps out 160-hp and the standard Fiat 500 with the 1.4-liter has 100-hp, so the 500T Sport should come in at around 130-140 hp. The 500 Abarth in Europe makes 133 hp in its regular trim, so that could be the 500T powerplant American will see.
The document also showed that an Abarth convertible model is on its way to the U.S. as a 2013 model, but that isn’t a huge surprise considering it already exists in other markets. We expect it to be identical to the Abarth coupe but with a power-sliding cloth roof similar to what is found on the 500c seen above.
[Source: Car & Driver]
The Fiat 500 Abarth Venom is the culmination of American and Italian minds working together. Mopar partnered up with Italian parts manufacturer Magneti Marelli to create the Venom variant of the Fiat 500 Abarth model.
The demo vehicle was debuted out in Las Vegas and even had a surprise visit by supermodel Catrinel Menghia that has made her claim to fame in the popular Abarth ads. Between Mopar and Magneti Marelli, the Fiat 500 Abarth Venom features carbon fiber goods for the body – including hood and side mirror housings – that in total drop 200 lbs from the vehicle’s weight. The roof also gets a large scorpion graphic.
Horsepower from the 1.4-liter turbocharged engine gets bumped up by as much as 40-hp (from the stock 160-hp) thanks to a retuned ECU and exhaust system.
Other options include Magneti Marelli 17-inch wheels in black, seats, and upgraded interior trim.
While the Fiat 500 Abarth Venom won’t make its way to America as a complete vehicle, Fiat tuning shops in America are already finding a way to import the parts so that you can build your own. Expect to pay a premium though, Magneti Marelli goods are expensive.
Watch the video – featuring the beautiful Catrinel Menghia – after the break.
[Source: WorldCarFans]
The marketing department has certainly switched gears over at Fiat. From the female-targeted J-Lo ads for the cutsie 500 to the sultry Fiat 500 Abarth spot featuring lingerie model Catrinel Menghia.
Another step in that direction, the Fiat 500 Abarth is back in a new commercial titled “House Arrest” featuring legendary bad boy Charlie Sheen. And don’t worry, Menghia makes a cameo too.
Watch the video below:
Abarth is having a four-car party at this year’s Geneva Motor Show, with a trio of special edition models joining the already mentioned 695 Tributo Maserati.
The three special edition Fiats from Abarth all made their debut back at the Bologna Motor Show in 2011, and the 695 Assetto Corse, 595 Competizione, and Punto Scorpione will make their way to Geneva hoping to garner more sales.
The Punto Scorpione (pictured above) is a limited edition model with just 199 vehicles being made. Under the hood is a 1.4L MultiAir engine with 180-hp and 190 lb-ft of torque. The two-tone Nero Scorpione paint scheme also sports a special matte black paintwork on the hood and roof. Four-piston yellow brake calipers along with suspension upgrades from Koni makes the Punto Scorpione “intended for a more mature audience that wishes to express their sporting spirit more discreetly and elegantly, but with no intention to settle for less.”
The 695 Assetto Corse was designed for track racing with an aggressive front-end design and comes complete with a new aerodynamic spoiler and screen-printed grilles. Powering the Assetto Corse is a 1.4L turbocharged, 205-hp with 17-inch wheels getting the power to the ground. The interior is the highlight of the Assetto Corse, meeting FIA regulations with a roll-bar welded to the body. The factory glass side windows have been swapped out with Lexan counterparts and is 66 lbs lighter than the previous 500 Assetto Corse.
Lastly, the 595 Competizione has a metallic Grigio Record scheme and features 17-inch titanium-colored wheels. Yellow brake calipers contrast the wheels on each corner while the interior sports Abarth Corsa by Sabelt leather and alcantara seats. The 595 Competizione is powered by a 1.4L Turbo T-Jet engine with 160-hp and 170 lb-ft of torque.
See AutoGuide’s complete 2012 Geneva Motor Show preview here.
GALLERY: Special Editions Abarth Models
GALLERY: Abarth 695 Tributo Maserati
Following in the footsteps of the Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari, this year’s Geneva Motor Show will see a 695 Tributo Maserati. The custom Fiat 500C is a special tribute edition for Maserti, with only 499 units to be produced by Abarth.
Powering the 695 Tributo Maserati will be a 1.4L Turbo T-Jet engine with 180-hp paired with an Abarth Competizione transmission. The exhaust will be Abarth’s Record Monza unit with “dual mode” volume control and will sport hexagonal-shaped tips, paying homage to the design found on Maserati vehicles.
On all four corners are Maserati-designed 17-inch Neptun wheels while Brembo brakes reside behind each wheel. Suspension changes include upgraded shock absorbers. Completing the aesthetics on this limited edition Abarth is a three-stage clearcoat Pontevecchio Bordeaux paint with a gray-fabric soft top. Xenon headlights will be standard on the Tributo Maserati.
The interior has been accented with sand beige Poltrana Frau leather and the number 695 has been heat-printed onto the headrests. A matte-carbon look can be seen on the dashboard and shifter trim, which also sports the 695 logo. The black leather steering wheel gets a tri-color treatment of leather inserts while famed timepiece manufacturer Jaeger LeCoultre produced the instrument panel. Of course each vehicle has been numbered.
Last but not least, as with all limited edition Abarth models, the Tributo Maserati will come with the Tramontano Tribute to Abarth Travel Pack, which consists of two gray leather travel bags.
GALLERY: Abarth 695 Tributo Maserati
Sex sells, even if you don’t quite know what that pretty lady is saying.
Luckily we’ve got the subbed version of the popular Fiat 500 Abarth advertisement, right here! This spot, which was proved to be one of the most successful ads seen during the superbowl, was first seen way back in November. That doesn’t really matter, as we can’t get enough of it!
Check out the translations in the video below.
This Fiat 500 Abarth ad hit the spot with viewers, and showed the biggest increase in internet traffic during the course of the Super Bowl.
Edmunds revealed that the commercial showed the greatest increase of traffic to the models page on their site. Using measurements at 7 different points during Sundays game, Edmunds found that the Fiat section of their site had a 138 percent rise in activity at the end of the game.
The effective commercial follows Abarth’s “Small, but wicked” catch-phrase, and is sure to catch your attention in just 60 seconds.
The Abarth is going to be hitting North America some time this year, featuring track-ready performance and small car fuel efficiency.
Check it out in the video below.