Fiat USA Tweets That U.S.-Spec 2013 500 Abarth Will Debut at L.A. Auto Show

July 25, 2011 at 2:42pm by Alexander Stoklosa

Fiat will unveil the U.S.-market 500 Abarth at this year’s Los Angeles auto show in November, the Italian automaker announced today on Twitter. We don’t expect the American 500 Abarth to differ greatly from its European counterpart, which has been on sale for a few years now across the pond. The big question is whether we’ll get the 135-hp 500 Abarth or the 170-hp Abarth Essesse (pronounced essay-essay, as in SS for supersport.) Otherwise, our Abarth will differ from the Euro car in boasting more sound insulation and a U.S.-specific crash structure. We expect that the zippiest of the 500 family to go on sale sometime in 2012 as a 2013 model.

Tags: Fiat, Fiat 500, Fiat 500 Abarth |

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2013 Fiat 500 Abarth Spotted Poking About On Michigan Freeway

May 20, 2011 at 2:17pm by Alexander Stoklosa

One of our readers caught the Fiat 500 Abarth out testing on a Michigan freeway, cleverly disguised as a 500 Sport model. We’ve already sampled the Abarth, so the giveaways were easy to spot, namely the dual exhaust outlets and the blacked-out Abarth front fascia with inset fog lamps, distinct badge frame, and air inlets just ahead of each front wheel. Also, upon noticing our attempts to photograph the car, the 500’s driver engaged in a little game of hide-and-go-seek behind a Silverado pickup.

The hot-roddiest 500 will pack a 135 hp, 1.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, a lowered suspension, 17-inch wheels, red brake calipers, and a slew of exterior badges bearing the Abarth scorpion. It will go on sale here in the U.S. sometime in 2012, but seeing it out and about on U.S. highways this far ahead of its proposed launch is a pleasant surprise, and would seem to confirm that it’s still on track. The regular 500 just lost in a comparison test with the Mini Cooper, but we’ve called the Abarth version “a riot.” We look forward to testing one on our home turf.

Tags: Fiat, Fiat 500, Fiat 500 Abarth |

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