Fiat’s tuning workshop Abarth has released things for two new performance kits for the Grande Punto Abarth: the Assetto and esseesse (read: SS, for Super Sport) kits.

Starting surrounded by the median 155-horsepower 1.4-liter turbocharged Grande Punto Abarth, both kits can be ordered subsequent to the occurence and installed by professional Abarth muses making centered in markets accessible the world. The Assetto package includes an upgraded brake kit in on cross-drilled discs front and rear and beefier brake pads, additonally high-performance coil springs the current go down the suspension an a larger amount of 15+ mm and special 18″ grey alloys providing 215/40-ZR18 Pirelli PZero rubber. Customers who opt for the esseesse kit additionally get a ideal Garrett turbocharger, a BMC Carbon Dynamic induction kit, twin consume in chrome-tipped tail pipes, and a remapped ECU, increasing fuel up to 180 hp.

The kits are hitting the economic in Italy their weekend for €2,500 and €4,500 respectively, and coincide providing a concerted new Abarth selling campaign and the opening of the Abarth performance driving school.

[Source: Italiaspeed]

Last year, Fiat launched the compact new 500 and now the Italian automaker is attempting an still dwindled machine. The pithy Topolino is due to debut in 2010 at that tad it might take on the likes of the SMART ForTwo, Toyota iQ and Volkswagen up!. AutoExpress has made a issuing of how the Topolino may check like. The new micro is supposed to replicate the pattern of the SMART and VW in on a rear-mounted engine driving the rear wheels. Motivation will be able to appear on Fiat’s new 900cc two-cylinder the was confirmed in the Aria thinking at the persist Frankfurt Motor Show. In normally-aspirated craft in the Topolino it when and if submit virtually 65hp the is able to be approved within a double clutch gearbox. The Topolino may accomplish additional as opposed to 67 mpg (U.S.) and undergo CO2 emissions of smaller as opposed to 90g/km. A comprehensive hybrid approach may furthermore be in the plans in addition to the normal start-stop system. The Topolino is inherent to be manufactured at the Zastava factory in Serbia which Fiat simply purchased.

[Source: AutoExpress, thanks to Justin for the tip]

Fiat has proven it is planning to be taking a convertible version of the 500 and in the face of a launch date has yet to be announced, Fiat type styling director Roberto Giolito revealed who the exemplary is on its way… at a couple of point.

Giolito furthermore announced such a the 500 cabrio serves to feature a fabric roof, and not a retractable hard-top, citing upgrades in resources the remove multitude of of the drawbacks associated in cloth roofs. The overall Fiat board performs not input any hard-top convertibles, even though a large number of experience continued reported to be in the works, as well as the coming up Ferrari California. However, the greater number of costly MINI convertible, that the 500 cabrio will be able to invariably objective in the marketplace, furthermore uses a fabric top.
 [Source: just-auto.com - sub. req'd]

Fiat is in attendance the present week at the known Mille Miglia in Brescia, Italy and it brought amongst it a whopper of a pithy car to impress the crowd. On hand is the Fiat 500 Abarth Asetto Corse, a thorough race version of the tiny iconic car this sports a screaming 200-hp turbocharged 1.4L four-cylinder which as well produces 220 pound-feet of torque. Power is routed over a six-speed gearbox on its way to a set of 17-inch track grey ultralight racing wheels the completely watch the part. Make no mistake, this is a true race car and a special one-make championship line is making designed so may put it on the a good number of legendary race tracks every where in Europe consequently year. Only 50 should be made, however, so entry is exclusive.

While we do not know the levels yet, your bag of Euros should get you a 500 that is kitted out in on an aerodynamic package the present adds a front spoiler, big rear wing, fender flares at all two corners and two new hood-mounted air intakes to feed the turbo. The interior has been heard stripped to save weight, that now stands at only 2,050 lbs., and a racing roll bar has carried on installed to cover the driver who now sits closer to the core of the car to raise weight distribution and driving feel. The Asetto Corse becomes big Abarth badges all across and a pastel white among red striping livery. The one on hand at the Mille Miglia is No. 00/49 and a pre-production prototype, so there are nonetheless loads left for people who have presistently wanted a 500 race car.

 [Source: World Car Fans, Italiaspeed]

Yes, these numbers are topped by the upcoming 500 Abarth (quite dramatically, in fact — the Abarth makes 155 lb-ft at 3,000 rpm), and the factory hot hatch probably makes more sense for new shoppers looking to combine the 500’s looks with better power the moment they drive away from the showroom. with the Novitec mods, however, early adopters who grabbed the huggable little hatchback as soon as it arrived now have some power options of their own, too.

[Source: Novitec]

Creating a factory in Mexico will not only solve Alfa Romeo’s problem but at the same time it will help Fiat cope with the growing demand in South America as the company needs more production for the region. Mexico’s strategic position is considered ideal as it will help balance Fiat’s needs in North and South America.

Via: AN