The original Fiat 500 Abarth was an early giant killer competing on European race tracks in the 1960s.
Drawing on this racing heritage to bolster the company image, Fiat has been developing a modern-day version based on the new, front-wheel drive 500 released late last year (more here) and will enter competition events in 2009.
Tweaked by engineers at Fiat's reborn Abarth subsidiary, the 500 Abarth Assetto Corse will produce 147kW of power and 300Nm of torque from a turbocharged 1.4-litre four-cylinder engine, driving through a six-speed manual transmission to the front wheels.
With a weight 180kg lower than that of the standard road car, the Assetto Corse should fly, but it will keep in contact with the road through 205/50 ZR17 tyres on 17x7-inch alloy wheels. Four-piston Brembo brake calipers and high-performance pads at the front clamp down hard on ventilated disc rotors measuring 305x28mm. At the rear, the brakes comprise single-piston calipers and solid disc rotors measuring 264x11mm.
Identifying features of the 500 Abarth Assetto Corse include: lowered suspension, sports mirrors and revised styling with an Abarth badge at the front. The cars will be finished in pastel grey, with red stripes along the sides. Further Abarth badging appears at the rear of the car, along with a white spoiler and twin exhaust outlets.
Inside the car, Fiat has welded to the body a hollow, integrated roll-bar suitable for track days. Anatomical seats are mounted slightly closer to the centre of the car for what Fiat describes as an "optimized driving position".
Standard features include a sports steering wheel and carbon door panels.
The Fiat 500 Abarth Assetto Corse comes with a set of overalls, helmets, gloves and shoes, emblazoned with the 'Assetto Corse' logo and packed in a leather bag.
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