The Italians are impatient to see what the next Abarth Punto Evo will look like, perhaps something like the rendering above or the Abarth Grande Punto after the jump. It is only a question of when the new Abarth Punto will be presented, as Sergio Marchionne has already confirmed the Abarth models for 2010: the Punto Evo, the 500C and perhaps even a 500 TC.

The Abarth Punto Evo is sure to have the new Multiair engine with 170 hp, meaning in the future the EsseEsse model will have 200 hp. The 500 TC stands for “Turismo Competizione” and was originally the name given to race cars based on street-legal models.

The big question is why Abarth should focus on just two models and get extreme handling out of the A and B segments represented by the Fiat 500 and Fiat Punto Evo. Frustrated with these tuned versions and lack of style, some Italians are asking where Alfa Romeo is in all this. Alfa represents a true, stylish sports brand with plenty of pedigree, and the Italians want to know why Abarth should be the only brand representing Fiat in the world of racing.

Perhaps Sergio Marchionne knows something we don’t about Alfa Romeo and its future, or perhaps we should wait a little longer and see what comes out of the Alfa-Abarth-Maserati mix. Whatever the case, there’s more than one Fiat/Alfa Romeo fan peeved that the 500 and Punto get the tuned treatment when money could be invested seriously in Alfa Romeo sports style, too. As one comment on Autoblog.it reads: “You can’t ever be a passionate fan of cars until you’ve got yourself an Alfa Romeo.”

Source | Autoblog.it and Caradisiac via Autoblog.com

Continue reading: Abarth 2010 Punto Evo and 500C: what happened to Alfa?

After the launch of the new Fiat Punto Evo, the Abarth Grande Punto also gets an update. Housed in a new look Abarth Punto will be the 1.4-litre Turbo MultiAir engine with 170 hp, soon to debut on the Alfa MiTo Quadrifoglio Verde (or Alfa MiTo clover leaf).

This would suggest that the future version of the Abarth Punto Evo EsseEsse could reach 200 hp, but it also indicates that we may soon see an Abarth with dual-clutch technology. The new Alfa MiTo will feature the new c635 six-speed transmision, built in Italy and having also dry dual-clutch technology. It will appear on the MiTo, future Alfa Milano and probably many other vehicles of the Fiat group. So fingers crossed that we will see an Abarth Grande Punto Evo with this technology - it would be car to test drive!

Source | Autoblog.it

Continue reading: New Abarth Punto and Fiat dual-clutch technology

Abarth has its own independent stand at the Bologna show, in addition to the Fiat offering including Alfa, Ferrari, Maserati, Lancia and Iveco. The first model available to the public is the Grande Punto esseesse - a kind of angry guard dog.

The red colour is in significant array, reflecting the spirit of the company, and the modern cars on display are contrasted with the vintage photos around the walls. Have a look at the gallery to see Abarth in all its glory.

Continue reading: Bologna motor show: Abarth stand

“Scorpian month” has officially opened, a period in which the Abarth brand has many initiatives dedicated to the legend Karl Abarth, born 100 years ago on November 15, under the scorpio zodiac sign.

After the open doors event involving the entire distribution network of Abarth Italy, other events will follow throughout the month, including the 0 to 100 exhibition in Turin, which shows cars, objects and photographs from the life of Karl Abarth. In November another open doors event will take place, dedicated to the “esseesse” kit of the Abarth 500.

In the meantime, at the vintage car show (Auto e Moto d’Epoca) in Padova, an Abarth 500 opening edition was shown at the Alfa Romeo stand, with a 160hp engine capable of producing more than 211 km/hr. See our gallery for pictures of the Abarth party.

Continue reading: Abarth party: celebrating 100 years of Karl Abarth

De Meo has presented their baby to Montezemolo, garnering almost tenderness from the former executive. The idea is to dispel any doubts about the Abarth 500, and with so many interested in finding out about the little scorpion, the Abarth stand at the Paris show was virtually assalted with people.

The Asetto Corse, 200hp version, was also present, with its 1.4 T-jet engine and only 920 kg, along with the EsseEsse with its 211km/hr of speed. This is better than any tuning fest you’ll ever go to.

Continue reading: Abarth at the Paris show: plenty of little grunt with the 500, EsseEsse and Asetto Corse