The Abarth Punto Evo and Abarth 500C were the only models occupying the Abarth stand at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show, but we think the Punto Evo and the SS certainly make up for the lack of anything else. The Punto Evo is equipped with the 1.4-litre Multiair ’standard’ engine with 165 hp, while the Abarth Punto SS model has 180 hp and more aggressive styling, including 18-inch alloy wheels and brake cooling outlets. The Abarth Punto Evo also debuts with new “manettino” feature in front of the gear stick, which manages the engine, brakes and steering modes in Sport and Normal.

The Abarth 500C is one very chic, hot little cabrio for your city ride, equipped with the 1.4 T-Jet with 140 hp. It’s on show in a black-white colour combo, which is the only alternative to the grey tint seen in the official Abarth 500C pics. It comes with two transmission options: the ‘Abarth Competizione’ five-speed gearbox, or the MTA electro-automatic with steering wheel paddles. According to the press conference, the Abarth 500C will also get its own SS version, but no further information was available. The Punto Evo and 500C will both be available on sale from May this year.

2010 Abarth Punto Evo live pics Geneva

Continue reading: Abarth Punto Evo and 500C live at Geneva

Move over Nick Reilly, there’s a new auto blog in town, this time from the guys at Neubauer. That’s right - you can get all your drooling done for Fiat group and Abarth models at the NDF Paris wordpress site, currently featuring a Fiat Punto Evo video and some lovely pics of a new Alfa Brera on the showroom floor.

In the pics here is an example of what we last saw from the guys - the Abarth 500 SS Speed Grey version. It has the impressive Abarth Essesse tuning kit with 165 hp and a special grey tint. They’ve probably already run out of these as only ten were planned for production, but check out the Neubauer blog for other news.

Continue reading: Alfa and Abarth on the Neubauer blog

Here’s a peek at the Abarth 500 and Abarth Grande Punto models presented at the Abarth Race Day, which was held earlier this month. Other special and historic models which were also present included the 595 and 695 Essesse, 850 and 1000 TC, 124 Abarth Sport Spider, Ritmo Abarth and Autobianchi A112 Abarth.

Participants had the opportunity to see the finals of the Abarth Selenia trophy, with its Abarth 500 Assetto Corse models, and take a couple of turns around the track, meeting official drivers like European champion Giandomenico Basso, Luca Rossetti and Umberto Scandola. Check out the Abarth tuned models in the gallery.

Source | Autoblog.it

Continue reading: Abarth Race Day pics: Assetto Corse on the track

As the car world waits for the plan of the Fiat-Chrysler deal to be revealed, it looks as though a new Chrysler logo could be revealed. You might wonder why, if the brand is going to disappear from Europe, but it could be a show of faith from Fiat that Chrysler will get a revival in its own market of North America.

The new logo is quite sexy, definitely modern and hopefully marks the dawn of a new era for America’s beloved Chrysler. So far the Fiat-Chrysler plans have been sketchy and mostly include the arrival of the Fiat 500 or Abarth 500 on the US market, the appearance of the Alfa Giulia in the US, but perhaps not the Milano or MiTo, and the retaining of the Jeep brand on the European market. It looks as though Dodge will go niche, including an electric car in its line-up, and that we will see Lancia-badged Chryslers, particularly the new 300c already spied, in Europe. All will soon be revealed. Stay tuned.

Source | Autoblog

Continue reading: New Chrysler logo: Fiat to save Chrysler or not?

This splendid version of the well-tuned Abarth 500 SS comes from French firm Neubauer and is called Speed Grey. It’s a perfectly kitted version of the Abarth 500 SS with Maserati Grey tint, Abarth Corsa leather seats and of course, the Essesse tuning of 165 hp. Only ten of these will be produced so when we say limited edition, we mean it. See the gallery pics of the Abarth 500 SS Speed Grey for a closer look.

Limited Edition Abarth 500 SS Speed Grey Neubauer

Source | Abarth Neubauer via Unica Strada

Continue reading: Abarth 500 SS Speed Grey limited edition from Neubauer

We already knew that the Fiat 500 would be the first Fiat to hit the US market, and had reckoned that the retro chic model would meet likely success in North America. It seems that Fiat is not quite convinced that the 500 has what it takes, in its current form, and so has decided to pull out the big guns on this model, and take the Abarth 500 instead.

It’s unclear though, whether the Abarth 500 will be a kind of teaser, limited edition model to raise interest for the following standard Fiat 500 version, which could turn up in showrooms next year as a 2011 model.

According to reports, Fiat expects to sell about 25,000 models of the Abarth 500, with pricing at between 18,000 and 19,000 US dollars. Whether this will actually kill off any chance the standard 500 has is anyone’s guess, but the Abarth model should certainly prove successful in itself. Fiat should be releasing more details in the coming week as to its US plans, which should hopefully put an end to the speculation.

Source | LeftLaneNews

Continue reading: Abarth 500 first Fiat to US

More from our friend Theophilus Chin with this rendering of the Fiat 500 roadster. The Fiat 500 is successfully continuing its evolution, after the standard model was developed into the Abarth 500 and the Fiat 500C. Coming in the future will also be the Abarth 500C, and the much-expected US debut of the Fiat 500 in 2011.

The Fiat 500 in the US will be assembled at Fiat-Chrysler facilities in Mexico, which will also produce the 500 Giardineria, or 500 station wagon version. The Fiat 500 is aiming for further competition with the Mini and the broadening of the range will go blow-for-blow with the new Mini Coupe and Mini Roadster concepts presented at Frankfurt.

Source | Autoblog.it

Continue reading: Fiat 500 Roadster rendering

Here’s the first spy shot of the Abarth 500C, which keeps most of the design of the Fiat 500C, proving it to be a successful car that only needed a little tuning to make it faster. The Abarth 500C will be equipped with the 1.4-litre T-Jet engine, with 135 hp (not Multiair) and, for the SS or Essesse, 160 hp. The Abarth 500C will most likely exceed a price tag of 20,000 euros and will be officially presented at the 2010 Geneva motor show.

Source | Autoblog.it

Continue reading: Abarth 500C spy shot

Renault Sport will be directly involved in building the Renault Gordini revival, a first model of which will be made at the Dieppe workshop of the company. The first Gordini to be built will be based on a Renault Sport Twingo model and should make its appearance soon.

Renault Sport will build the Gordini Twingo with the classic blue livery and white stripes, to bring back a tuning version that should rival Abarth and John Cooper Works. The Gordini Twingo model is likely to include far more than just an external paint job, but there’s no news on what technical innovations may be coming our way.

Initial reports had indicated that a Gordini Twingo would be available in 2010, with the full revival of the Gordini brand occurring by 2012. We’re getting a little twitchy at the idea of another nifty European city car getting the tuning treatment. Move over Abarth 500!

Source | LeBlogAuto

Continue reading: Renault Sport Twingo Gordini revival

This Fiat Abarth 500 Ferrari tribute will be presented at the Frankfurt motor show as the “695 Tributo Ferrari”. The bright red Abarth 500 is equipped with a 1.4-litre turbo with more than 180 hp and six-speed sequential transmission with steering wheel paddles.

The red bodywork is “Rosso Scuderia”, and other features include new suspension and braking systems, and 17-inch alloy wheels with special design. No news is available on whether there would be a limited production run in the future.

Source | AutoExpress via Autoblog

Continue reading: Abarth 500 Ferrari tribute

After the Fiat 500 and the Alfa Romeo MiTo, the Abarth 500 is now ready for Japan, and is already on sale for 2,950,000 yen, which is just over 21,500 euros. The Abarth 500 is available with the 1.4 litre T-Jet engine at 135 hp with ESP, alloy wheels, air conditioning, sports seats and audio system as part of the price.

The Japanese Abarth 500 will have a few differences compared to the European model, with the instrument panel including turbo indicator. Other features on the dash include a gear change indicator in circular style.

Via | Es.Autoblog

Continue reading: Abarth 500 arrives in Japan

The Trofeo Abarth 500, or Abarth single-brand trophy race, will take place at Monza on Saturday March 28 and Sunday March 29, with the smaller 500 Assetto Corse at 190hp as protagonists.

The Monza Abarth race is the start of six events that include free trials, a 25-minute qualification session and two races of about 50 km each. Many of these events will take place in collaboration with the Ferrari Challenge, moving to Mugello and Imola in May, Magione in June, Mugello again in September, with the grand final at Vallelunga on October 11.

Continue reading: Abarth 500 trophy starts in Europe