#abarth

With the Fiat 500 on the horizon for a North American release, Fiat’s tuning house, Abarth, has released an additional pair of models to showcase what is possible with the hot hatch. The 500C Essesse and Punto Evo Essesse will both be on display at the Paris Auto Show on September 30th, 2010.

The rumored Abarth sports car, based on KTM’s X-Bow trackday car could end up taking a very different form by reviving the legendary Lancia Stratos nameplate.

Along with a new stand-alone coupe and convertible, Fiat sub-brand Abarth will look to expand its lineup of original models with a Lotus Elise rival based on the KTM X-Bow (above). If you’re not familiar with KTM or the X-Bow, the company is best known for building motorcycles and the X-Bow was a limited project to build a track car along the lines of the Ariel Atom or Lotus 2-Eleven.

Fiat frenzy is on the horizon and we’re excited for the Fiat 500 to finally come over to America. We imagine it won’t be too long before Abarth renditions are released, regardless, it’s time to shine the spotlight on Fiat/Abarth tuners worldwide.

G-Tech has taken the already hopped-up Abarth 500 and converted it to a 207-hp, 229 ft-lbs of torque street machine. The 1.4L has been beefed up with a Garrett turbo, larger injectors, new spark plugs and cat-back exhaust system. Considering the stock powerplant puts out a meager 135-hp and 152 ft-lbs of torque, we imagine G-Tech’s RS-S Kitted Abarth 500 is a blast to drive.

In addition to the engine mods, G-Tech outfitted their model with some green accents (not our cup of tea, red would definitely be more fitting), 17-inch wheels from OZ Racing and coilovers to adjust the suspension. The only pricing we caught whim of is $37,745 for the complete car as shown here, but we reckon you can order the parts individually.

Check out the video of G-Tech’s Abarth 500 after the break.

[Source: WorldCarFans]

GALLERY: G-Tech Abarth 500 With RS-S Kit

While there’s a lot of excitement building surrounding the return of Fiat to the U.S. and the launch of the Fiat 500, enthusiasts, auto journalists and car snobs alike have been patiently awaiting word that the Italian automaker will also roll out a line of Abarth branded models. Finally, we can confirm that we won’t have to suffer disappointment and can instead rejoice behind the wheel of the Abarth 500.

A Fiat dealer along Paris’ famed Champs-Elysees will play host to the first side-by-side Jeep and Fiat dealer as the brands seek to integrate themselves in anticipation for anticipation for Chrysler’s European rollout.

Fiat’s Abarth brand has been tuning economical pint-sized Italian runabouts for decades, but under a corporate restructuring the high-performance division is set to expand its expertise. The company’s marketing boss, Antonino Labate has confirmed that select Alfa Romeo products will get Abarth tuning packages. It’s not clear what models will be included, but Alfa does have significant plans to grow its brand, even in North America.

Fiat is taking dead aim at the MINI brand and is set to introduce two new versions, a three-door estate (a long wheelbase 500 modeled after the Clubman) and a proper five-door hatchback with more interior room. Not surprisingly, these versions will be offered in North America, where the increased space and practicality should broaden the appeal of Fiat’s hot hatch.

Hanging out near Ferrari and Maserati we found Fiat’s performance brand – Abarth. With several standard Fiat models set to arrive in North America in the next few months, we can only hope they will be followed shortly thereafter by their modified Abarth cousins.

Fiat’s performance-minded Abarth brand will unveil two new models, based off of Fiat products that were introduced last year. Up first is the Abarth 500C, an upgraded version of the Fiat 500C (the C, standing for convertible). The car isn’t technically a convertible, but rather features a retractable cloth top and retains the roof rails. Power comes from Fiat’s turbocharged 1.4-liter 4-cylinder with 140-hp, allowing for a 0-62 mph time of 7.9 seconds. Also included are upgraded wheels, brakes, a new suspension setup, aero kit and stylish two-tone paint scheme. There’s no official word, but we’re likely to see this model join Fiat’s lineup in North America in the next several years – after the standard 500 and 500C are introduced.

With the Chicago Auto Show just the day before, there’s not a lot of point in covering the Toronto Auto Show, except for the fact that it often allows a much closer look at new and upcoming models. Chicago is already low-key but the media day at the Canadian International Auto Show is sparsely attended at best and so we got the best access we’ve had yet to Fiat’s high-powered Abarth version of the 500.

Standing out in stark contrast to all the Japanese cars, and even the other European models at the Tokyo Auto Salon, were two little toys from Fiat tuner/sub-brand Abarth, a 500 and Grande Punto. The hard-core Abarth 500 is a hoped-up version of the Fiat 500 and this particular Abarth is even more extreme thanks to an Esseesse kit.

Starkly contrasted with the rest of the Chrysler corporate display at the Detroit Auto Show are the booths of Ferrari, Maserati and Fiat. The small Fiat dislay showcased two models set to arrive in North American in the near future: the much talked about Fiat 500 and the relatively unknown Abarth 500.

Chrysler might not be holding a press conference at the Detroit Auto Show in just a few weeks time but the automaker is planning to draw crowds at its booth by showing off a long list of Italian machinery, including several Fiat products that are expected to launch in North America in the near future.

The car that has generated the most publicity out of the Fiat/Chrysler deal is the Italian automaker’s 500 model and now word comes from Fiat’s CEO that four different versions of the subcompact will be offered in the U.S.