One of the most prestigious brands in world motorsport is being reborn at the Johannesburg International Motor Show - its badge is a scorpion...
....and its name is Abarth.
Abarth has always been synonymous with assertive cars, competitiveness, passion and excitement, and the brand will return to South Africa early in 2012 with a new range that will appeal to all lovers of motorsports.
Abarth’s first interpretation of the Fiat 500 will be on the runway at JIMS, the first step in an initiative that will later involve other models.
The new 500 Abarth was developed by Abarth engineers in the spirit of the legendary 500 Abarth cars of yore. It is a heady mix of technology, performance and safety that finds its roots in the experience and passion of the world of racing, while remaining faithful to the saying coined for Abarths of the 1960s – “small but deadly”.
SCORPION TRADITION
Under the hood the Abarth is powered by a 1.4 1petrol turbo engine producing 99kW at 5500 rpm and 180 Nm at 2500 rpm. Engaging the Sport mode driving are treated to 206 Nm at 3000 rpm.
Top speed is 205 km/h while its capable of rocketing form 0 - 100 km/h in 7.9 seconds. This is partly achieved by the overboost function, activated by the ‘Sport’ button that modulates control unit mapping and turbo pressure in addition to load on the steering wheel. Yet all this typically Abarth sportiness comes with a frugal fuel consumption figure of 5.4 l/100 km over a combined cycle.
In keeping with the Scorpion tradition the Abarth is kitted out with a number of special styling additions such as the bumper, aerodynamic extractor, twin exhausts and a rear roof spoiler. A scorpion logo is printed above the silencer, just as on the early Abarth exhausts. The new model sports 16-ince alloys with 17-ince rims available as an option.
Inside the 500 Abarth motorsport heritage continues with its’ sporty gauges and graphic features on the dash. A three-spoke steering wheel incorporates molded grips.
Aluminium pedals with rubber inserts reveal a racing vocation, as does the leather gear knob.
Read more reports on the Johannesburg International Motor Show here!
....and its name is Abarth.
Abarth has always been synonymous with assertive cars, competitiveness, passion and excitement, and the brand will return to South Africa early in 2012 with a new range that will appeal to all lovers of motorsports.
Abarth’s first interpretation of the Fiat 500 will be on the runway at JIMS, the first step in an initiative that will later involve other models.
The new 500 Abarth was developed by Abarth engineers in the spirit of the legendary 500 Abarth cars of yore. It is a heady mix of technology, performance and safety that finds its roots in the experience and passion of the world of racing, while remaining faithful to the saying coined for Abarths of the 1960s – “small but deadly”.
SCORPION TRADITION
Under the hood the Abarth is powered by a 1.4 1petrol turbo engine producing 99kW at 5500 rpm and 180 Nm at 2500 rpm. Engaging the Sport mode driving are treated to 206 Nm at 3000 rpm.
Top speed is 205 km/h while its capable of rocketing form 0 - 100 km/h in 7.9 seconds. This is partly achieved by the overboost function, activated by the ‘Sport’ button that modulates control unit mapping and turbo pressure in addition to load on the steering wheel. Yet all this typically Abarth sportiness comes with a frugal fuel consumption figure of 5.4 l/100 km over a combined cycle.
In keeping with the Scorpion tradition the Abarth is kitted out with a number of special styling additions such as the bumper, aerodynamic extractor, twin exhausts and a rear roof spoiler. A scorpion logo is printed above the silencer, just as on the early Abarth exhausts. The new model sports 16-ince alloys with 17-ince rims available as an option.
Inside the 500 Abarth motorsport heritage continues with its’ sporty gauges and graphic features on the dash. A three-spoke steering wheel incorporates molded grips.
Aluminium pedals with rubber inserts reveal a racing vocation, as does the leather gear knob.
Read more reports on the Johannesburg International Motor Show here!