Small But Wicked: the New Fiat 500 Abarth Arrives!

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SMALL BUT WICKED: THE NEW FIAT 500 ABARTH ARRIVES!

Fiat has released the first official picture of the Fiat 500 Abarth, the hot version of the cutest car to be launched in New Zealand in 2008, which will make its world debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March with a New Zealand launch slated for early 2009.

The new car was developed by the Fiat Group Automobiles Style Centre in the spirit of the legendary Fiat 500 Abarth of the 1960s, and will be powered by a Fire 1.4 16v petrol Turbo engine, which delivers a maximum of 99 kW at 5,500 rpm and peak torque of 206 Nm at 3,000 rpm in ‘Sport’ mode, while in ‘Normal’ mode, torque is reduced to 180 Nm at 2,500 rpm). This brilliant, smooth new engine is also a friend of the environment: like the regular Fiat model it is derived from, the new Abarth meets future Euro 5 legislation.

Another interesting feature of the 500 Abarth is the fact that it adopts the new TTC (Torque Transfer Control) system, which improves the transfer of drive torque to the wheels, but, above all, ensures that the car behaves impeccably on bends, making it safer and more entertaining even with a sporty driving style. In other words, it is faithful to the advertising phrase coined for the Abarths of the 1960s ‘small but wicked’.

The standard Fiat 500 will make its Australasian debut at the Melbourne International Motor Show on 29 February, followed by a race track appearance at 2008 FORMULA 1™ ING Australian Grand Prix on 16 March, when it will be raced by Australia’s leading sporting celebrities in the Celebrity Challenge.

New Zealand deliveries will start in April, though demand for the 2008 European Car of the Year has ensured that the first five month’s deliveries already have names against them!

ENDS

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