Fiat has revived the former cult brand Abarth - fun and tradition

How fate sometimes plays. Almost in the famous Italian tuning company Abarth German spoken. After all, racing driver Karl Abarth lived in Vienna. When South Tyrol came to Italy after the war, his dad, who lived in Merano, opted for new citizenship, the son moved across the Alps, and Karl became Carlo. The young tinkerer with the zodiac sign Scorpio then moved to Bologna and created the company with the crawling animal in the company logo. Abarth and Scorpio have almost been forgotten since the 70s. The rights to the name, which is considered to be typically Italian, have long belonged to the omnipotent Fiat Group, which was rather half-hearted about the cult brand.

Now Abarth has risen again. Of course, all models with the yellow and red logo are well-known Fiat creations. The cuddly 500 had to undergo a strength test four times in the newly created sports studio in order to be able to call itself Abarth. The title of nobility is a number at the rear, the name Fiat is nowhere to be found on the sheet metal dress. Since Abarth is now taking care of the engine compartment again, the small car quartet is not stingy with its powerful performance and racing technology. The basis is always the 1,4-liter turbo engine, which, depending on the version, sends between 107 kW / 145 PS and 140 kW / 190 PS to the front wheels. The latter is currently the end of the PS flagpole, called 695 Biposto (two seats), is 230 km / h fast and at least 39.900 euros expensive. From the Autodromo di Monza or the Nürburgring directly in public transport.

For some time now, the Fiat 500 alias Abarth 595 has been trying to revive the Abarth myth
For some time now, the Fiat 500 alias Abarth 595 has been trying to revive the Abarth myth

However, the other offshoots of the everyday car are not children of sadness either, but they play in a different price league than the bully mentioned: between 18.290 and 24.790 euros are enough to treat yourself to a car that hardly a neighbor has in the garage. All lead the number 595, which are supplemented by additions such as "Turismo" or "Competizione". All are also available as convertibles. After all, the German Fiat subsidiary managed to convince 1.886 Germans to buy such an Abarth last year. In the first nine months of 2016, there were already 1.626 new customers. A success story that gradually ensures the presence of the traditional brand on the roads between Flensburg and Upper Bavaria.

At the end of this month, Abarth will ignite the next stage of reincarnation. A completely different announcement than the Liliput guard. The two-seater Abarth 124 Spider roadster is the sports version of the Fiat of the same name, is built by Mazda in Japan and is an Italian-Japanese co-production, but ultimately a Mazda MX5, whose dress, at least on the front, differs significantly from the successful model from the Far East. The neat topless speedster also relies on the 1,4-liter four-cylinder engine, which develops 125 kW / 170 hp in the Spider. The fun mobile costs 40.000 euros, is quite fully equipped and offers a pleasantly short list of surcharges. The LED headlights in a package with various sensors for parking or automatic switching on in the dark are the most expensive goodies at 1.890 euros.

Mini with maximum performance: The top model of the 500 Abarths is the 695 Biposto, which throws 190 hp into the propulsion
Mini with maximum performance: The top model of the 500 Abarths is the 695 Biposto, which throws 190 hp into the propulsion

The beautiful Spider, up to 232 km / h afloat if necessary, will continue to publicize the Abarth name and drive sales up significantly. Carlo Abarth, who was laid to rest in a Viennese cemetery, will look down on the earth from the tuner heaven with alpine satisfaction. (Peter Maahn / SP-X)

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