Monday 28th September 2009

Abarth 500 R3T Rally Car Revealed

180hp and a six-speed sequential 'box for Italian pocket rocket

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This feisty little machine is the Abarth 500 R3T, a car designed to take part in a new promotional rally trophy in 2010.

Abarth 500 R3T looks the part...

The R3T gets a Garrett GT 1446 turbocharger pushing output up to a heady 180hp at 5500rpm from its 1368cc engine. No performance figures have been released but, with the car weighing-in at only 1080kgs, performance should live up to the racy looks. Power is channelled through a six-speed sequential gearbox, and Abarth says the upgraded transmission features a self-locking differential, twin-plate clutch and special driveshafts.

There are Brembo disc brakes all round, ventilated at the front with four-pot callipers, and those great looking 7x17ins OZ asphalt rims are designed for 19/62-17 tyres.

The racing shock-absorbers are adjustable, with coaxial spring and wheel to alter the ground clearance plus special shims to adjust the castor and camber angles.

...and backs up the image with 180hp

You also get a special welded roll-bar integral with the body, all the required safety devices and FIA type-approved seats with six seatbelt anchorage points.

"The Abarth 500 rally version will be type-approved for Group R3T, the category for turbocharged cars up to 1600 cm3 in capacity. This class represents a good compromise between car cost and performance, and is ideal for private drivers and young people who want to show their worth in a true racing car, capable of outstanding performance," says Abarth, although it hasn't yet announced a price.

[MrSpike]

A future classic?

I think it's a fantastic little thing.

Estate agents with fat - knot ties and spikey hair need not apply.

[Fastra]

That's a funky little thing in't it!

[ZesPak]

looks awesome,

now that front look reminds me of some cartoon monster/alien/dinosaur... which??

[Glosphil]

"19/62-17 tyres"?

[leon9191]

Love these little things, not ment to be the best drivers cars in the world but I think the looks would more than make up for that.

180BHP as well bet it won't hang around.

[Forbes82]

Saw a 500 Abarth for the first time in the metal the other week, looked absolutely fantastic.

[Mini1275]

What the new mini should of been like - a cool looking car anyway

[mrben]

Awesome little car ! Future classic for sure , the wife has a new 500 and i think there great

[mccarn]

Had a test drive in the Abarth Punto a few weeks back (the 155bhp) and it fairly flew.. Would like to have a shot in this..

[Gedon]

Is it FWD?

[Cupramax]

Glosphil said:

"19/62-17 tyres"?

PH, typing something just for the sake of it matters...

[jet1987]

166.6 bhp per tonne, looks good and I bet it goes well!!

[Valentin]

Gedon said:

Is it FWD?

But of course it is.

[B10]

Perhaps it should have the 4wd drive system from the Panda. That would be great.

[BoRED S2upid]

I forsee some excellent crashes on Rally stages in this little pocket rocket thats going to roll and roll and roll...

[Emubiker]

"The Abarth 500 rally version will be type-approved for Group R3T, the category for turbocharged cars up to 1600 cm3 in capacity"

Surely then it wont actually be that competitive if it will be up against 1.6 turbo'd cars???

[GranTurismoMan]

Ooh, love these nutty little rally rockets! They look ace and usually sound amazing. The induction noise on the na engined ones is particularly cool! Hopefully the turbo will makes loads of interesting noises on the Abarth.

[CO2000]

BoRED S2upid said:

I forsee some excellent crashes on Rally stages in this little pocket rocket thats going to roll and roll and roll...

Indeed, I like them but can only see it bouncing off the road !

[dwilkie]

Cupramax said:

Glosphil said:

"19/62-17 tyres"?

PH, typing something just for the sake of it matters...

To be fair, I was wondering what size they actually were as well, though I was assuming 195s...

[EDLT]

Emubiker said:

"The Abarth 500 rally version will be type-approved for Group R3T, the category for turbocharged cars up to 1600 cm3 in capacity"

Surely then it wont actually be that competitive if it will be up against 1.6 turbo'd cars???

I think its going in to a one-make championship similar to what they did with the Panda:
http://www.italiaspeed.com/new_models/2006/fiat/pa...