Just released are the first official pictures of the new 500 Abarth - a high performance version of the Fiat 500 city car which went on sale in the UK last month. The 500 Abarth will make its international public debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March.

The new car was developed by Fiat Group Automobiles Style Centre in the spirit of the legendary Fiat 500 Abarth of the 1960s, and is powered by a Fire 1.4 16v petrol Turbo engine, which delivers a maximum of 135 bhp at 5,500 rpm, and peak torque of 206 Nm (152 lb.ft) at 3,000 rpm in 'Sport' mode, while in 'Normal' mode, torque is reduced to 180 Nm (132 lb.ft) at 2,500 rpm. This smooth and responsive new engine is also environmentally compatible. Like the Fiat 500 from which it is derived, the new 500 Abarth meets future Euro 5 emissions legislation.

The dramatic styling is not a mere exercise in interpretation, as the 500 Abarth optimises aerodynamic behaviour, reducing drag and increasing high speed stability, while the sideskirts also improve the Cd figure. Inside, the 500 features special instrumentation, with the addition of an analogue gauge to measure turbo pressure. An LED telltale that optimises gear changes by lighting up at the appropriate moment, is also incorporated.

500 ABARTH - BRIEF SPECIFICATION

Engine

    * 4 cylinders in line, 4 valves per cylinder, 1368 cc
    * Power output: 135 bhp at 5,500 rpm
    * Peak torque in SPORT mode: 206 Nm (152 lb.ft) at 3,000 rpm
    * 'Drive-by-wire' accelerator control, without mechanical connection
    * Turboboost by IHI variable geometry turbo

Transmission

    * 5-speed gearbox
    * Dual cable external gearbox control

Suspension and steering

    * MacPherson layout at front with anti-roll bar
    * Torsion beam axle with anti-roll bar
    * Ground-hugging sporty stance
    * Dualdrive electric power steering, with SPORT mode

Brakes

    * Floating ZPH 4.1.2 front calliper, piston diameter 54 mm
    * Ventilated front brake discs, diameter 284 x 22 mm
    * Floating CII 34 rear calliper, piston diameter 34 mm
    * Solid rear brake discs, diameter 240 x 11 mm

Wheels

    * Standard: Aluminium alloy rim 6.5" x 16" - Tyres: 195/45 R16
    * Optional: Aluminium alloy rim 7" x 17" - Tyres: 205/40 R17

Almost 43 years after Carlo Abarth drove his last record-breaking car, Abarth is making its racing comeback with the new '500 Abarth Assetto Corse', the ultra-sporty little Scorpion designed by Fiat Group Automobiles Styling Centre and developed by Abarth's team of engineers and designers.

It looks like a true racing car as can be seen from the 1400 cc engine (16 valves and 200 bhp), wide tracking, ultra-light 17' white racing alloys, lowered suspension, racing mirrors and numbers down the sides.

Available in pastel grey with red Abarth side stripes, the '500 Abarth Assetto Corse' has an aggressive front end complete with Abarth badge, below which are the oversized bumper, aerodynamic spoiler and screen printed grilles, replacing the plastic ones on the standard version. On the engine hood, apart from the traditional hooks, we find the two carbon air intakes complete with scorpion. The rear of the vehicle has a white spoiler, Abarth badge and double exhaust. Last but not least, in true Abarth style, down the sides is the sword logo which represents the brand's racing image, and the roof with its red stripe and four white checks, just like the winning Abarth 850TC of the 1960s.

Inside, the Abarth 500 Assetto Corse has a racing-approved roll-bar, hollowed out to make it faster and lighter (the car weighs about 120 kg less than the road going version). The ergonomically-designed seat, special racing steering wheel and carbon door panels make the 500 Abarth Assetto Corse a true racing car - tiny but with a tough character. However, it has something extra: it has been designed to be cheap to run. Abarth has once again made racing affordable by promoting a 'democratic' approach to the sport, demonstrated by the single-make 500 Abarth Challenge Trophy.

500 Abarth Challenge

In the best Scorpion tradition, in 2009 Abarth will be organising a single-make trophy featuring the 500 Abarth Assetto Corse: the car will be produced directly by Abarth and will be sold to drivers 'race-ready', through the dealer network.

The Italian round of the Trophy will be held together with the prestigious Ferrari Challenge: free qualifying, official qualifying and two races each of 30 minutes, the tried and tested weekend racing formula. Meanwhile, abroad, drivers can choose from the trophy competitions in several countries (Portugal, Spain, Germany and Great Britain have already been confirmed), or an international challenge to be held in conjunction with the World Touring Car Championship, according to the same technical and racing regulations as the Italian trophy.

The participants will test each other's skills on the most famous circuits of Europe: Monza, Vallelunga, Brno, Paul Ricard, Imola and Mugello for the series paired with the Ferrari Challenge; Valencia, Porto, Brands Hatch, Brno, Oschersleben and Monza for the WTCC (World Touring Car Championship) series.

At the end of the season, the winners of the national and European series will meet in a grand finale.

The technical characteristics of the car, and the racing formula, have been specifically designed in order to make participation in the trophy extremely affordable.

500 Abarth Assetto Corse technical specifications

Engine

    * 4 cylinders in line, 4 valves per cylinder, 1368 cc
    * Power: 200 bhp (147 KW) at 6500 rpm
    * Max. torque 221 lb/ft (300 Nm) at 3000 rpm
    * Garrett GT 1446 fixed geometry turbocharger
    * Specially reinforced air and water intake covers

Transmission

    * M32 6-speed transmission

Suspension

    * Front: McPherson, special racing shock absorbers, coaxial spring with ride height adjustment
    * Rear: interconnected bars , special racing shock absorbers, springs with ride height adjustment

Steering

    * Racing-calibrated electric power steering

Brakes

    * Brembo 4-piston radial front caliper M4X40
    * Self-ventilated, perforated front brake disc - 305 mm x 28 mm
    * Rear caliper with piston - 36 mm
    * Rear brake disc - 264 mm x 11 mm
    * High-performance racing brake pads

Body

    * Rear spoiler and front bumper splitter

Chassis

    * Reinforced cage structure, welded to bodyshell
    * Lightened interior, Sabelt Racing safety set-up
    * Optimised driving position moved towards the centre of the car

Wheels

    * Painted aluminium alloys, 7" x 17"
    * Tyres: 205/50 ZR17

Weight

    * 920 Kg