500 abarth

[heisthegaffer]

Dear all

Autocar now have details of the forthcoming 500 Abarth. Looks great...

http://www.autocar.co.uk/News/NewsArticle/AllCars/...

I can't wait to see pictures of the interior, if the standard versions are anything to go on it will be great.

[riwiho]

Is anyone able to provide any more details on the technical side as there seems to be lots of rumor and little fact out there (this may actually be the current situation).

Also when is this due to be released? Any info would be great.

[TCEvo]

[pixelpimp]

Standard car comes with 130 bhp, you can up grade with an officially supplied kit consisting of wheels, brakes, suspension and re map which gives you 160bhp. All official upgrades have to be fitted by Abarth dealers. You also can't have the 160bhp with the rest of the kit.

Edited by pixelpimp on Thursday 21st February 08:04

[riwiho]

pixelpimp said:

Standard car comes with 130 bhp, you can up grade with an officially supplied kit consisting of wheels, brakes, suspension and re map which gives you 160bhp. All official upgrades have to be fitted by Abarth dealers. You also can't have the 160bhp with the rest of the kit.

Edited by pixelpimp on Thursday 21st February 08:04

Sounds good. So its an offical upgrade similar to the Works pack on a Cooper S?

I do like the whole idea of this car but with a weight of 860KG in the current 500s I would love to see perhaps a further 60-100KG reduction to really make it a rapid beast, any chance this can be expected?

Also I seem to have read Fiat plan to install their own version of a LSD in the Abarth, is this true and can anyone point me in the direction of some further details or reading material on the matter?