Wednesday 9th September 2009

The Tributo Ferrari: Fiat 500 Meets Prancing Horse

Limited-edition Fiat 500 'Ferrari' revealed

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More Prancing Pony than Prancing Horse

Is this the fastest Fiat 500 yet, or the world's smallest Ferrari? Actually, it's a bit of both. It's called the Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari and it's a limited-edition 500 Abarth.

The idea is similar to the Aston Martin Cygnet concept - to attract existing Ferrari owners who want a small everyday car to complement their supercar.

The Tributo Ferrari differs from the Cygnet idea in two significant ways, however. Firstly, it isn't a stand-alone model with bespoke bodywork, but a spiced-up limited-run version of an existing model. More crucially, it's not a city car, but a pukka hot hatch with serious performance credentials.

Tributo Ferrari comes in red only, naturally...

The 1.4-litre turbocharged motor from the standard Abarth 500 has been tweaked to produce around 180hp. The suspension has also been sharpened up, while four-pot Brembo brake calipers help bring things to a halt.

But the most intriguing mechanical tweak is the Ferrari F1-style six-speed electromechanical paddle-shift gearbox.

Visually, there are plenty of cues to link the Tributo Ferrari to its more glamourous cousins including quad tailpipes, red-only paintwork, carbon mirrors, and 17-inch alloys that we reckon ape those on the old 360 Challenge Stradale. There are no actual Ferrari badges as far as we can tell, however.

There are no prices or on sale dates as yet for the Tributo Ferrari, which has been jointly developed by Abarth and Ferrari engineers.

[Staffy1984]

Cant wait see the performance stats, 180bhp should make this fly.

[GTRene]

I'm not a fan of the Fiat 500, but I must admit this one looks really good...
well done.

[stifler]

I can't wait for the tosser to start saying that they have a "baby Ferrari".

Yet more bullst.

[Garlick]

Looks great, but Ferrari? Really?

[russellwatson17]

Cant wait till one of theese come on the used market so people like me who want a fast fiat can get one instead of it being a shopping car for someone who drives a ferarri!

[mylesmcd]

love it!!

not in red thoo, black.

bigger riot than beruit in the late 80's!!

[Justayellowbadge]

Already been done, though.

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/1215313.htm

[Dr S]

OMG is this naff. Why do Ferrari get away with this marketing bullsh*t? Imagine the flaming Porsche would get for a "Tribute to Porsche" VW Polo...

[evenflow]

Grr I posted this 8am yesterday morning. Sub-forums don't really work.

http://www.pistonheads.com/xforums/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[evenflow]

Justayellowbadge said:

Already been done, though.

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/1215313.htm

That's just a normal 500, not a breathed on Abarth though.

[AndrewW-G]

Justayellowbadge said:

Already been done, though.

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/1215313.htm

Werent they supposed to be dealer only, to be used as courtesy cars?

[Justayellowbadge]

AndrewW-G said:

Justayellowbadge said:

Already been done, though.

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/1215313.htm

Werent they supposed to be dealer only, to be used as courtesy cars?

Yep. All got sold at a premium in, ooh, about 7 nano-seconds, predictably.

[TheOrangePeril]

Dr S said:

OMG is this naff. Why do Ferrari get away with this marketing bullsh*t? Imagine the flaming Porsche would get for a "Tribute to Porsche" VW Polo...

Yeah but the polo doesn't exactly have the charm/style of the 500... Considering this is what most Ferrari owners' daughters will be driving anyway, it's not a bad idea!

[Eviltad]

Justayellowbadge said:

AndrewW-G said:

Justayellowbadge said:

Already been done, though.

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/1215313.htm

Werent they supposed to be dealer only, to be used as courtesy cars?

Yep. All got sold at a premium in, ooh, about 7 nano-seconds, predictably.

Ferrari Leeds also have one for sale currently.

[snorkel sucker]

TheOrangePeril said:

Dr S said:

OMG is this naff. Why do Ferrari get away with this marketing bullsh*t? Imagine the flaming Porsche would get for a "Tribute to Porsche" VW Polo...

Yeah but the polo doesn't exactly have the charm/style of the 500... Considering this is what most Ferrari owners' daughters will be driving anyway, it's not a bad idea!

indeed - you can knock it for its vulgarity, but as a marketing ploy its absolutely genius and a guaranteed source of revenue. Do I like it....?? hmmmm....yes because it seems like its had some nice, useable mods.

[rayb74]

More reliable than a ferrari !

[Stu_00]

snorkel sucker said:

TheOrangePeril said:

Dr S said:

OMG is this naff. Why do Ferrari get away with this marketing bullsh*t? Imagine the flaming Porsche would get for a "Tribute to Porsche" VW Polo...

Yeah but the polo doesn't exactly have the charm/style of the 500... Considering this is what most Ferrari owners' daughters will be driving anyway, it's not a bad idea!

indeed - you can knock it for its vulgarity, but as a marketing ploy its absolutely genius and a guaranteed source of revenue. Do I like it....?? hmmmm....yes because it seems like its had some nice, useable mods.

Granted some previous models is just marketing, but this with the gearbox and upgrade on power is going in the right direction !

Just imagine the potential, 500/ or Grande Punto Abarth with F1 gearbox, V8 and RWD!
!
But this seems like an more interesting concept than crap AM came up with !

[FreeLitres]

Need quad exhausts for a 1.4 litre engine? Really?

[HAB]

How utterly tragic.

Style bar marketing w@nk bolloks for the masses.

[angus54]

A car that would make you look a complete CHAV - people would think you'd stuck it altogether to look like a Ferrari.

That is if people didn't know about this special edition which I guess is very very few.

How sad.