Currently reading: 'No bespoke model' for Fiat's Abarth brand

Marco Magnanini, chief of Abarth, outlines the brand's future model range plans

Abarth chief Marco Magnanini has told Autocar there will be no bespoke model for the marque in the medium term.

2010's Abarth 'Speedster' sketch had been said to preview roadster and coupé derivatives of the Fiat 500.

Read our review of the all-electric Abarth 500e electric hot hatch

Magnanini put thoughts of an Abarth Fiat Panda or Fiat 500L to rest, too (calling the latter "inconsistent with the brand"), leaving Abarth to focus on its existing 500, 500C and Punto models.

Abarth is also unlikely to add more power or supplement its 1.4 turbos with larger Fiat Group powertrains like Alfa Romeo's 1750 TBi: "We like to have the perfect ratio between power and weight," said Magnanini.

The Abarth 500 and Punto ranges currently peak at 178bhp.

Join the debate

Comments
5
Add a comment…
Harvey56 30 October 2013

New Abarths

I disagree with C2_Matt, regarding a Panda Abarth, it doesn't sound right for a start !!! I believe they should develop "new" models obvisously based on Fiat cars, but not to roll out an Abarth just for the sake of it, keep the product exclusive. Perhaps the forthcoming 500X would be an ideal choice. I've recently changed my Punto Abarth esseesse for a Juke Nismo, which is in the stage of being remapped & chipped to 250bhp by the m/f because Abarth doesn't have that type of car, pity.

C2_Matt 28 October 2013

Fiat Coupe

With the new Alfa 4C taking the company spotlight, Fiat probably have little interest in making their own marquee coupe for now which more than likely been the basis of the 'Abarth Speedster'.

I'm surprised by the lack of interest in making an Abarth Panda when the Panda 100HP of the last generation sold well, was well received (I don't think I've read a negative article on the 100HP) and putting an Abarth badge on it instead of the Fiat one would've added a bit more prestige to the model and allowed them to (probably) raise the list price.

MikeSpencer 28 October 2013

No more power?

Better start shedding the pounds then... what about a superleggera 500? Would it be called an Abarth 500 SL (Esseelle)? Whatever, a sort of Italian Mini JCW GP does sound kind of fun.