Island Automotive Chat Victoria to Port Hardy and everything in between
For all your island car related talk. |
 | 
01-08-2009, 06:33 AM
|
#1 | | I answer every Emotion with an emoticon
Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Langvista
Posts: 7,936
Thanked 73 Times in 19 Posts
| Fix It Again, Tony!
Fiat's Abarth division is going rad again: http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/au...-pictures.html Quote:
Small, fast and efficient… Say hello to the Abarth Coupe, the most exciting performance car of 2010! Our exclusive pictures show how the sporty two-seater will shape up should Fiat put it into production, giving Abarth a three model line-up to make its assault on the performance car market.
The revived brand is riding high following the raucous reception for the 500 Abarth, which goes on sale in February, while the Punto Abarth was launched earlier this year. And with increasing numbers of buyers downsizing to smaller and more fuel-efficient cars, there’s never been a better time to introduce a model like this. But can it succeed where the Smart Roadster failed?
Based on the 500’s platform, the Coupe will use a simple front-wheel-drive, front-engine layout to minimise costs. It will also mimic Ford’s conversion of the Ka into the Street Ka, by carrying the majority of components and switch gear straight over from the 500.
A lightweight aluminium chassis and low-slung stance should ensure that it retains the go-kart-like handling synonymous with Abarth models of the past. While the compact dimensions make it perfectly suited to twisting European roads and small enough to be threaded through town traffic.
If Fiat looks to the past there’s no shortage of inspiration for the new Coupe’s design. Models such as the 1959 Abarth 750 Zagato Coupe employed a similar philosophy to the newcomer with a lightweight aluminium body, two-seater layout and extravagant good looks. And as always with Italian sports cars, style is high on the agenda for the Coupe, too.
Sloping headlights and huge front air-intakes give it a snarling face, while vents in the bonnet and behind the front wheels are a sign that there’s pace to match the car’s looks. Just like the Smart Roadster, a removable roof panel allows occupants to get the open-air experience without the need for an expensive and heavy folding top. And lastly, the trademark Abarth white and red colour scheme with distinctive decals mark the car out from other traffic.
The racy theme continues in the cabin, with turbo pressure gauges and Abarth Scorpion logos a plenty. Expect sculpted racing seats and a flat-bottomed steering wheel, too.
Driving enthusiasts will enjoy Fiat’s Torque Transfer Control (TTC), which mimics a front limited slip differential to maximise traction in the bends, while LED flashing lights on the dash alert the driver at the optimum moment to change gear – either to extract maximum performance or boost fuel economy.
Carlo Abarth, the company’s founder, was famous for wringing impressive levels of performance from small-capacity powerplants, and the Abarth philosophy has stayed true to this day. The most likely candidate for the Coupe is the 1.4-litre turbocharged unit from the 500 Abarth, kicking out 135bhp and 180Nm of torque – although an ‘esseesse’ (pronounced essay essay) version with 158bhp and 230Nm of torque, but still returning 45mpg at the pumps, could also make it to production. With the car weighing in at little more than 1,000Kg, expect a 0-60mph time of around eight seconds for the lower-powered version and seven seconds for the ‘esseesse’.
The Smart Roadster’s downfall was its extortionately high price. But it seems Fiat isn’t about to make the same mistake. Prices for the Abarth Coupe should start from around £12,000 - undercutting the cheapest Smart Roadster by £1,500. Fiat is staying tight-lipped about it’s production plans for the Abarth Coupe, but if it does make it to showrooms, expect the care to break cover in 2010 and go on sale in 2011.
|  
__________________
Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana. | 
|  | |
01-08-2009, 06:41 AM
|
#2 | | I answer every Emotion with an emoticon
Join Date: Sep 2002
Posts: 7,655
Thanked 443 Times in 188 Posts
|
Yes Please!
__________________ Quote:
Originally Posted by MajinHurricane  who would ban me? lol. Look at my post count. | | |
| | |
01-08-2009, 07:30 AM
|
#3 | | Guest |
Oh my crap... Me wants... now. Like right now. Today.
| |
| | |
01-08-2009, 07:38 AM
|
#4 | | Head Mod yo
Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: 250
Posts: 8,803
Thanked 7 Times in 4 Posts
|
Abarth has always been rad 
Seen the 500?
| |
| | |
01-08-2009, 09:06 AM
|
#5 | | Captain Happy Bubble is my Homeboy
Join Date: May 2005 Location: Victoria
Posts: 301
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
|
Looks like the Pontiac Solstice's homosexual and effeminate little european brother.
| |
| | |
01-08-2009, 09:19 AM
|
#6 | | Island Mod
Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Victoria
Posts: 6,179
Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post
|
I love the front end!
__________________
1993 Civic Si - b18c1
| |
| | |
01-08-2009, 09:38 AM
|
#7 | | B&S Sexy mod
Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Victoria
Posts: 7,522
Thanked 12 Times in 7 Posts
|
Too bad we wont see it over here, i hate the north american market
| |
| | |
01-08-2009, 11:35 AM
|
#8 | | I contribute to threads in the offtopic forum
Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Victoria
Posts: 2,670
Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts
|
Well, it looks nice but it's driving the wrong wheels, has less power than a Miata with a top that doesn't go down, and yeah, Fix It Again Tony. Meh :/
| |
| | |
01-08-2009, 01:01 PM
|
#9 | | Rs has made me the man i am today!
Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Victoria
Posts: 3,336
Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts
|
Interesting, basically an updated Fiat X 1/9
__________________
*2003 White Ford F350SD XLT Crew Cab Diesel
*1972 Ford Gran Torino Sport (351C)
| |
| | |
01-08-2009, 04:57 PM
|
#10 | | I answer every Emotion with an emoticon
Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Langvista
Posts: 7,936
Thanked 73 Times in 19 Posts
|
For reference:
[youtube]-AQP8Wl9ur4[/youtube]
[youtube]Ee9-45kPJls[/youtube]
__________________
Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana.
Last edited by Black SC2; 01-08-2009 at 04:59 PM.
| |
| | |
01-08-2009, 09:18 PM
|
#11 | | Rs has made me the man i am today!
Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Hicktoria
Posts: 3,259
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
|
Front end looks nice and aggressive.... the rear looks horrible though, and doesn't match the front at all IMO.
__________________
1995 Pontiac Trans Am - LT1, A4, Polo Green, T-tops.
2010 Ford Ranger - stock, and will stay that way.
| |
| | |
01-08-2009, 10:40 PM
|
#12 | | Crafter of Light
Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Earth
Posts: 585
Thanked 4 Times in 3 Posts
| Quote:
Originally Posted by Black SC2 For reference:
[youtube]-AQP8Wl9ur4[/youtube]
[youtube]Ee9-45kPJls[/youtube] | That Top Gear is HILARIOUS!
| |
| | |
01-09-2009, 02:58 AM
|
#13 | | Even when im right, revscene.net is still right!
Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Victoria, B.C.
Posts: 1,322
Thanked 112 Times in 15 Posts
|
It looks cool! I want one too!
But it look like a baby from a S2000 and DelSol.
__________________
Graphite Grey '07 Triumph Daytona 675 (SOLD)
Premium White Pearl '04 Acura RSX-S
Inca Pearl(Gold) '01 Honda Civic Si Coupe (RIP)
§[]D€€Š Š€[\/]Ö|\| 4 L I F E! My CarDomain My Honda Showoff | |
| | |
01-09-2009, 09:03 AM
|
#14 | | I contribute to threads in the offtopic forum
Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Victoria
Posts: 2,670
Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts
|
I love Top Gear videos.
| |
| | |
01-09-2009, 03:20 PM
|
#15 | | Ready to be Man handled by RS!
Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Victoria
Posts: 75
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
|
I prefer 5th gear. Who is that fat old man?
| |
| | |
01-09-2009, 03:24 PM
|
#16 | | Guest | Quote:
Originally Posted by rob76 I prefer 5th gear. Who is that fat old man? | Jeremy Clarkson? He's actually not that old, and he's not fat.
| |
| | |
01-09-2009, 03:27 PM
|
#17 | | I answer every Emotion with an emoticon
Join Date: Sep 2002
Posts: 7,655
Thanked 443 Times in 188 Posts
| Quote:
Originally Posted by rob76 I prefer 5th gear. Who is that fat old man? | You must be joking.
lol
__________________ Quote:
Originally Posted by MajinHurricane who would ban me? lol. Look at my post count. | | |
| | |
01-09-2009, 08:46 PM
|
#18 | | RS.net, where our google ads make absolutely no sense!
Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Victoria
Posts: 925
Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post
| Quote:
Originally Posted by sixthgear Interesting, basically an updated Fiat X 1/9 | That's what I was thinking, but unfortunately this one is FWD
__________________
1990 Z24 - DSP bottom feeder
1994 Golf GL - "her" car
Victoria Motor Sports Club - President
| |
| | |
01-27-2009, 09:34 PM
|
#19 | | To me, there is the Internet and there is RS
Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Nanaimo
Posts: 16,008
Thanked 7,383 Times in 3,465 Posts
| Quote:
Originally Posted by stevo911_ Too bad we wont see it over here, i hate the north american market |
Fiat is coming to America under the Chrysler name.
__________________
Until the lions have their own historians, the history of the hunt will always glorify the hunter. | |
| | |
Posting Rules
| You may not post new threads You may not post replies You may not post attachments You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
| | |
All times are GMT -8. The time now is 11:17 AM.
|
You are currently viewing our boards as a guest which gives you limited access to view most discussions and access our other features. By joining our free community you will have access to post topics, communicate privately with other members (PM), respond to polls, upload content and access many other special features. Registration is fast, simple and absolutely free so please, join our community today!
The banners on the left side and below do not show for registered users!
