Fiat's Abarth brand to create its own sports car

[cawimmer430]

Fiat's Abarth brand to create its own sports car



While Fiat's in-house tuning brand appears to be intensely occupied tweaking Punto Evos and 500Cs for the European market ? and supposedly a 500 Abarth for us as well ? Abarth also has an eye on its own sports car. According to Autocar, this wouldn't be a microwave job on a Fiat, but a unique creation to serve as a halo car.

We've heard this rumor a number of times, with the most recent reports indicating Abarth has been working with Lotus, perhaps using the next-generation Elise chassis as a base. Apparently, that idea has been nixed. However, the specs being discussed are quite Elise-like: two-seater, mid-engine, 200 horsepower, around 2,000 pounds. Whatever it is, Abarth's head of marketing said it will arrive within two years.


Link: http://www.autoblog.com/2010/06/23/fiats-abarth-brand-to-create-its-own-sports-car/

[Colin]

As the Forums' only genuine Abarthisti (well, I do own one now!), this is very exciting news.

Mind you the rumoured Abarth Tributo Ferrari 695 coming later this year looks awfully tempting, as well!