Fiat has finally announced the pricing on their 500 Abarth model for the American market, starting at $22,000 and will include a segment-exclusive, full-day Abarth driving experience.

The 500 model that’s been “designed for track-day enthusiasts and driving purists who want the ultimate high-performance small car at an attainable price,” the 500 Abarth is powered by a 1.4L MultiAir Turbo engine with 160-hp and 170 lb-ft of torque. The rest of the vehicle has also been tweaked for a truly sporty driving experience, including Abarth-tuned suspension, brake systems, dual exhaust, turbo-boost gauge with integrated LED shift light and 16-inch wheels.

Fiat will throw in an Abarth Driving Experience for new owners, offering them the opportunity to attend a segment-exclusive driving experience at no additional charge. The Abarth Driving Experience features a full day of driving training with instructors from the Richard Petty Driving Experience in a safe and structured setting.

GALLERY: Fiat 500 Abarth

It appears that the Japanese have also embraced Italy’s compact Fiat 500, but this was hardly what we expected from a Japanese tuner. Office-K out in Japan got their hands on a limited edition Fiat Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari and figured it’d look a whole lot better in chrome.

The Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari comes in its own Scuderia Red finish, but Office-K didn’t really care for that shade. They wrapped the entire compact in chrome vinyl while applying racing stripes in Italy’s infamous colors. Surprisingly nothing else was done to the vehicle, leaving the upgraded 1.4L turbocharged four-cylinder with 180-hp.

Abarth’s 695 Tributo Ferrari features its own aero package, 17-inch wheels, Brembo brakes, carbon mirrors, “Record Monza” dual exhaust and suspension upgrades as well. On the inside, Abarth outfits the Tributo Ferrari with a pair of carbon fiber bucket seats, flat-bottomed leather steering wheel with red inserts, and carbon fiber trim.

Check out a video showing off the shiny, chrome Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari after the break.

[Source: Carscoop]

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Pricing for the Fiat 500 Abarth model has finally been announced, starting at $22,000 making it cheaper than the Volkswagen GTI, MINI Cooper S and (presumably) the Hyundai Veloster Turbo.

Though the comparisons with the other models aren’t exactly apples to apples on paper, Fiat’s 500 Abarth has the most impressive power-to-weight ratio compared. With 160-hp and 170 lb-ft of torque in a 2,533-lb body, the Abarth, in a way, provides the best bang for the buck.

It’s powered by a race-inspired 1.4L MultiAir Turbocharged engine and also features Abarth-tuned suspension, brake systems, dual exhaust, turbo-boost gauge with integrated LED shift light and 16-inch wheels. The interior also gets some race-inspired amenities with performance seats featuring a one-piece design with large side bolsters and racing-harness pass through with accent stitching. It’ll come standard with BLUE&ME Handsfree Communication, Bose premium audio and steering-wheel mounted audio controls.

GALLERY: Fiat 500 Abarth

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Slow sales by Fiat are causing layoffs for workers in Chrysler‘s Global Engine Manufacturing Alliance Plant in Dundee, Mich., responsible for building the 1.4-liter FIRE engine used in the 500.

The actual numbers behind the layoffs are, however, in dispute. Tom Zimmerman, the plant’s unit chairman for UAW Local 723, said in an interview with Automotive News that more than 25 percent of the plant’s 400 hourly workers were laid off.

Jodi Tinson, a Chrysler spokesperson, said that only 30 people had actually been laid off, and that another 35 were assigned different jobs in the plant.

Regardless of which figure is accurate, there is no denying that Fiat sales failed to meet expectations in the U.S. The company originally projected 50,000 units annually, but had sold less than 32 percent of that by October 31.

Chrysler will unveil the North American version of the Fiat 500 Abarth at this week’s Los Angeles Auto Show, featuring a 160-hp turbocharged version of the 1.4-liter engine.

Gallery: 2012 Fiat 500

[Source: Automotive News]

Romeo Ferraris is clearly looking to offer a street-legal version of their widebody race Abarth 500, and now the Italian tuning firm has released some photos of their Abarth 500 Stradale. Not many details were packaged with the photos, but Romeo Ferraris was quick to announce the 1.4L turbo engine will pack 300-hp.

The 500 Stradale also transforms the stock Fiat body to a more aggressive and wider stance, further accented by vents on the hood, a rear diffuser and a subtle roof spoiler. New wheels completes the package while the interior features a mix of leather and Alcantara with carbon fiber goodies. The race inspiration continues inside as well, with the rear seat bench tossed out for a roll cage, while the driver and front passenger gets treated to a pair of bucket seats.

No pricing was announced or when it’ll be available, but Romeo Ferraris did confirm that it’ll be a limited production model.

[Source: Carscoop]

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GALLERY: Romeo Ferrris Abarth 500 Stradale

Abarth showed off its 695 Competizione at this year’s Frankfurt Motor Show and the Fiat 500-based Competizione is track ready packing over 180-hp with a roll cage. Abarth began by stripping the rear seat from the 500 and in its place is the rear bracing for a roll bar. And while we find Abarth’s claim that the 695 Competizione is a street-legal race car a bit of a stretch, we have to admit the extra performance and race-inspired interior does the Fiat good.

The 1.4L turbocharged 4-cylinder in the 695 Competizione produces over 180-hp according to Abarth and is put to the wheels through a five-speed automatic transmission. The transmission features two modes, an automatic Street and a full manual Track. The stock exhaust is nowhere to be seen, instead Abarth outfits the 695 Competizione with its Record Monza, two-mode system that opens up past 3000-rpm. 0-62 mph is rated at less than seven seconds with a top speed of 140-mph.

Modifying the suspension is a set of Koni shocks while braking performance has been enhanced with Brembo four-piston calipers. On the outside, the only difference the 695 Competizione features is a set of 17-inch wheels from the Tributo Ferrari and the Grigio Competizione Opaco livery. On the inside, the racing seats up front are reupholstered in leather and Alcantara while the instrument cluster was specially made by Jaeger. Accessories include a carbon-fiber dash panel and aluminum pedals with Abarth’s scorpion logo.

GALLERY: Abarth 695 Competizione

Abarth is looking to make a real impression at this year’s 64th Frankfurt International Motor Show, scheduling three world debuts at their booth. We’re teased with photos of the three models that will be at the show, the Abarth 500 Cabrio Italia, Abarth Punto SuperSport and the Abarth 695 Competizione. These three specialty models, in Abarth’s eyes, embody the sportiness, heritage and undisputed racing spirit essence of Abarth.

With Abarth 500 Cabrio Italia will have a limited production of just 150 units, featuring a 1.4L Turbo T-Jet engine with 160-hp and 170 lb-ft of torque. It will also be offered in a five-speed manual transmission – the first time it has been combined with the 160-hp powerplant. Inside, the special model has been outfitted with Abarth Corsa by Sabelt natural leather seats with a carbon fiber backrest. On the outside, the car features a unique Blu Abu Dhabi paint scheme, a tribute to the 150th anniversary of Italian unity.

Next up is the Abarth Punto SuperSport, that features a two-tone paint scheme accented by its matte black hood and roof. 18-inch wheels adorn the special edition which is powered by a 1.4L Multiair engine with 180-hp and 199 lb-ft of torque. Suspension is also enhanced on this sporty model, with parts from the Esseesse Abarth Koni kit with the front featuring oversized four-piston red brake calipers. The inside also features Abarth Corsa by Sabelt seats in black leather with red and yellow stitchings.

Lastly, the 695 Competizione is Abarth’s first “street legal” Scorpion racing car. Inspired by the Abarth 500 Assetto Corsa, the exterior features an exclusive Grigio Competizione Opaco livery with 17-inch wheels and Brembo brake calipers. Under the hood is a 1.4L Turbo T-Jet 16v engine with 180-hp combined with the Abarth Competizione gearbox. A Record Monza dual mode exhaust system gives the vehicle a sporty tone while improving performance. The inside seats are also Abarth Corsa by Sabelt, this time in black leather with Alcantara red inserts.

All three models are dressed to impressed and we can’t wait to see them in person.

GALLERY: Abarth Frankfurt World Debuts

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For any car guy worth his mettle, the one Fiat to look forward to hasn’t been the cabriolet, the electric one, or even the Gucci edition—it’s been the fire-breathing Abarth, the one we thought would only be sequestered in the Italian boot.

But we Yanks are indeed getting the Abarth, and we’ll get a glimpse of our version at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November.

The American Abarth will get a 1.4-liter Multiair engine that will give it more power than its MINI Cooper rival—175 horsepower, to be exact. Fiat made the official announcement via its Twitter account, and just like on the elementary school playground, there’s no takesies-backsies after this.

Aznom’s Abarth 500 seems unsuspecting from the outside, with a fancy set of wheels and upgraded brakes being most noticeable. But closer inspection reveals this Abarth 500 packs 230-hp thanks to a powerplant no longer housed under the hood, but rather a transparent box in the middle of the vehicle. Yes, Aznom’s Abarth 500 is called Motore Centrale R230 for a reason: it packs 230-hp and is a mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive vehicle.

Perhaps it’s a tribute to the classic original 500, but Aznom rearranged the entire setup of this Abarth 500 while tuning the 1.4L turbocharged powerplant to 230-hp and 243 ft-lbs of torque. In addition to the entire drivetrain and powertrain modifications, Aznom also outfits the Abarth 500 with Bilstein dampers, upgraded brakes, wheels and Kumho tires. It’ll be interesting to see if Aznom offers this conversion to the general public down the road.

GALLERY: Aznom Motore Centrale R230 Abarth 500

[Source: Topspeed]