In the words of Jeremy Clarkson: “160 horse power in the car the size of a shoe - that’s fantastic!” It just about sums up everything you need to know about the Fiat 500 Abarth (SS version), which has just been nominated Top Gear’s best hot hatch.

You would have thought that the Fiat 500 could not have had any more success than what it already has, but it looks like the arrival of the Abarth 500 in UK is already destined to swamp the market. 200 orders online have been received, with Abarth 500 demand not slowing.

Prices start at only 13,500 pounds making it far cheaper than any comparable performance from Mini. This little scorpion has certainly got some sting in its tail. For all the low-down, watch the video after the jump.

Continue reading: Top Gear votes Abarth 500: Best Hot Hatch

She’s small but with some serious grit, as you can see in these spy shots of the Fiat 500 Abarth SS, which can be recognised by the twin exhuasts. If the 135hp from the “normal” version don’t satisfy, the SS kit will update the car with an extra 25 hp and 50Nm more of torque. This will help the little Fiat to reach 210 km/hr of maximum speed and accelerate to 100 km in 7.4 seconds.

The modifications will also give the 500 a new base and brakes to give it more determination in competing with the rest. The “Mini-killer” will make its debut at the Paris show and will commercialised in November. If you want something new and zippy, this could be it.

Soource | WorldCarFans

Continue reading: Fiat 500 Abarth SS: ready for debut

From racing to our everyday roads, but always with a sporty approach. This is the goal behind the debut of the long-awaited Abarth 500, announced for the coming Geneva International Motor Show. The new car was developed by the Fiat Group Automobiles Style Centre in the spirit of the legendary Fiat 500 Abarth of the 1960s, and will be marketed from July through the exclusive Abarth network.

With a strong sporty personality, the new car will be powered by a Fire 1.4 16v petrol Turbo engine, which delivers a maximum of 135 bhp (99 kW) at 5500 rpm and peak torque of 206 Nm at 3000 rpm in Sport mode (in Normal mode, torque is reduced to 180 Nm at 2500 rpm). This brilliant, smooth new engine is also a friend of the environment: like the regular Fiat model it is derived from, the new Abarth will respect future Euro 5 legislation.

Another interesting feature of the 500 Abarth is the fact that it adopts the new TTC (Torque Transfer Control) system, which improves the transfer of drive torque to the wheels, but, above all, ensures that the car behaves impeccably on bends, making it safer and more entertaining even with a sporty driving style. In other words, it is faithful to the phrase coined for the Abarths of the 1960s ‘small but wicked’.

Continue reading: Abarth 500 unveiled

Monday, january 18th, we’ll be in Turin for the unveiling of the new Abarth headquarters. A funny coincidence: the Abarth newsletter sent out friday evening promises that “Monday 18th and tuesday 19th Abarth owns. And you’ll be there”. Attached to the newsletter was the sketch you find above. Enough to hope in the long awaited debut of the 500 Abarth ?

Stay tuned: we’ll be there!

Continue reading: January 18: The Abarth event in Turin