01 Aug 08
Abarth roadster
10. Abarth: the future
The Abarth HQ has been moved back to its original facilities at Corso Marche, Turin, and is going back to its roots. Besides the Abarth Grande Punto, 500 and other upcoming new Fiats, a whole range of aftermarket tuning and styling kits, merchandise and accessories is planned, all bearing the scorpion badge. Expect many an exhaust package.
Abarth continues to work on Fiat's rally cars and cars for one-make series, including the Abarth Championships and 5Hundred Cup, but standalone sports cars sold under the brand-name are also said to be on the way.
News is emerging of a mid-engined Abarth roadster, developed with input from Lotus - and perhaps even an Elise-derived chassis, as Fiat is aiming to buy in much, if not all, of the car's structure from an external supplier, with only final assembly at Mirafiori to keep costs down.
This roadster will have an in-house engine, but rumours suggest a new high-power version of the turbocharged 1.4 will be featured. Could this be a modern-day answer to the Fiat X/19? We'll keep you posted.
