Turin, Italy -- Hoping to transform a glorious past into a car that generates passion today, Fiat is planning to announce the broadening of the relaunch of the Abarth name as part of a new wholly owned company at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show.
These cars were synonymous with tough, spirited cars, racing victories, challenges, passion and thrills. Abarth is coming back with a new range designed to whet the appetites of all sports car enthusiasts around the world.
The novelty lies in the modern-day interpretation of everything that Abarth used to do in the past - starting with motor-racing, followed by prototypes and vehicle conversion kits, and even fashion accessories representing the Abarth style.
To roll out its expression of the ultimate racing lifestyle the new company will be active on several fronts. It will tackle the world of motorsport, an environment strictly related to competition, one-make trophies and cars prepared for private customers. Abarth will also be found, the enthusiast commercial environment, including tuning – with the production of conversion kits – and won’t ignore the potential for licensing and merchandising operations.
The goal is for Abarth to create a world all of its own, a world that revolves around the core values that led to its great success in decades gone by: innovative design, state-of-the-art materials, and love for detail.
Behind it all is genuine passion for motoring, not to mention the company’s human and technological assets, and the professional pride of the thousands of people – technicians, workers and executives – who have come and gone from the factories, offices and race tracks.
The target of Abarth’s first project, later to be extended to other models, was the Grande Punto – which has been on sale in Italy since September 2007. It will be now be available in other countries over the course of 2008.
Fiat’s team will hardly have time to draw a breath between each launch: between now and the end of 2008, they’ve planned four new product launches. The brand’s development will force it to expand its production capability in the short term, and within a few months, Abarth’s new home will have been completed at the Mirafiori plant. The new premises will group together the company’s manufacturing, design and management divisions.
Distribution network and Abarth service centers
Flagship service centres and workshops
Abarth’s dedicated commercial organization is divided into four levels, each with a specific role and a well-defined image: flagship service centers, dealers, specialised tuners and workshops.
Known as Officine Abarth, there will be four flagships worldwide that will act as a point of reference for the brand in key markets. The Italian center is based – where else? - at the company's historic headquarters in Corso Marche, Turin - proving that Abarth’s bond with tradition is more than just an ideal, but is real and solid. In short, the Abarth brand is being reborn in every sense, and will cover every aspect of the concept of motorsport, even the more exclusive ones: this was true in the 1960s, it is true today, and will be true tomorrow.
The concept for the Abarth service centers was inspired by the famous Abarth “conversion box” made from Thai wood, with the equally famous “Abarth” shield on the front of the entrance. Outside, the corporate colors are distinctive: red and white with grey detailing, enhanced by polished steel elements. The entrance is marked by the backlit Abarth sign and a scorpion made from polished stainless steel, illuminated so that it will be visible at night. Abarth shields adorn the façade, decorated with the indispensable Italian flag, denoting the heritage of this brand which is now famous all over the world.
At floor level, the claws of another scorpion welcome us to the merchandising area (approximately 250 sq m). Once inside the service center, customers can find out about the Abarth world through the array of historic pictures on the wall.
Meanwhile in the merchandising area, steel furnishings alternate with pictures providing inspiration for clothing, and red and white chequered tables. Moving on, we find ourselves in the large display area (450 sq m), where a “car configurator” helps customers choose from the many options on offer. The resin floor, in Abarth red, helps to enhance the white of the cars (their positions are highlighted by black markings detailing their performance).
The room is divided up by suspended reflective partitions made from tinted glass, giving a description of the vehicle on show, while the back wall features the Abarth racing stripe.
The showcase centre is a real novelty: an attractive area of 170 sq m in which the cars will be converted, divided from the display area by large textured glass panels featuring mechanical components.
Finally, for motorsport aficionados, there is an area of 90 sq m used for the sale of kits, the famous conversion boxes, stickers, pedal kits, steering wheels and anything else you might need to customize an Abarth vehicle.
Dealers, specialised tuners and workshops
The second level of Abarth’s distribution network is made up of a small number of dealers (approximately 40 in Italy) who will provide customers with specialized, exclusive service.
Under the name “Abarth assetto corse” (Abarth Racing Set Up), there will be about 40 Abarth tuners in Italy. These will be the only centers authorized to install the kits (starting with the “esseesse” kit), while complying fully with all environmental and safety legislation and completing the certification procedure on the customer’s behalf.
The network will be completed by the Abarth servizio workshops, required to adhere to strict standards in terms of specialization, technology and service. As of September, 60 workshops are already operational in Italy, although the number is destined to rise to over 100 in order to provide more extensive service cover.
Grande Punto Abarth 1.4 turbo (155 hp)
The launch of the Grande Punto Abarth is a tribute to the army of little Fiats from days gone by, that were given a tough, dynamic and sporty edge by the “magic hands” at Abarth: scorpions with a real sting in the tail, igniting the passion of thousands of drivers with a taste for challenge, speed, and Italian flair. Today, the Grande Punto Abarth is aiming to evoke the former glory of those high-performance vehicles by offering the public, especially younger drivers, the chance to enter the world of competitive racing in complete safety, at affordable prices.
The Grande Punto Abarth is fitted with a 1.4 turbo petrol engine, delivering 155 hp. Combined with a 6-speed manual gearbox, the engine gives the car a top speed of 208 km/h, accelerating from 0-100 km/h in just 8.2 seconds. The Grande Punto Abarth is not just a high performing little car – it is also safe, and environmentally friendly.
Safe because the tuning is not limited to the engine and the aerodynamics: the car’s brakes and set-up have also been redesigned to cope with the improved performance. It is also eco-friendly because, despite having far more horsepower than the model on which it is based, it complies with the same legislation on noise and emissions (Euro 4 approved engine).
Developed by Abarth’s designers along with the technicians who produced the Grande Punto Fiat (one of Europe’s most successful cars), the Grande Punto Abarth is factory-built, and is subject to all the regulations and checks applied to standard models.
The raw power and elegance of the Grande Punto Abarth are instantly visible. Compared to a standard Punto, the track has been widened by 6 mm, it has 17” alloy wheels and red stripes bearing the Abarth name along each side. The front bumper is specially designed and houses the main beam headlights set in a black surround, while the larger air intakes, adapted to cater for the new engine’s cooling requirements, are enhanced with an exclusive Abarth design.
Finally, the skirts, the wheel arch rims and black plastic underbody complete the fairing on the lower section, profiled to boost aerodynamic performance and extending as far as the tapered rear bumper. The Abarth badge is of course clearly visible, positioned in the centre of the front grille, the rear hatch and even on both sides, at door handle height.
However, most of the Abarth treatment relates to performance: the engine, brakes and set up. The 4-cylinder 16v engine (1368 cc supercharged with an IHI fixed geometry turbocharger) delivers 155 hp at 5500 rpm with a maximum torque of 206 Nm at 5000 rpm. When “power boost” mode is activated, the maximum torque increases to 230 Nm at 3000 rpm (a good 10% more), and the electric power-assisted steering modifies the setting to give a sportier feel. There are disc brakes on all wheels, and the front brakes are ventilated with a Brembo fixed dual-piston caliper.
The suspension is based on the tried and tested set up of the Fiat Grande Punto (McPherson strut and anti-roll bar, torsion bar suspension at the rear), suitably modified: the anti-roll bar has been widened (diameter 19 mm), the front springs are 20% firmer, and the set up has been lowered by 10 mm. After this treatment, the vehicle will provide impeccable road holding while maintaining a high standard of comfort. Evidence of the importance given to safety when the car was designed (especially for younger drivers), is that the ESP comes as standard and cannot be deactivated.
The Abarth touch is equally apparent inside the car: the charismatic figure of the scorpion on one side of the dashboard, for example, while the “carbon effect” central console is decorated with a textured cube motif. That’s not all: the instrument panel has a sporty design, with the same look for the steering wheel and gear stick, finished in black leather with red stitching. Last but not least, the seats have also been beautifully designed with built-in headrest, lumbar support and two wings providing lateral thigh support (on request, the seats and central dashboard section can be finished in full grain leather).
Technical specifications: Grande Punto Abarth 1.4 turbo (155 CV)
Engine
• 4 cylinders in line, 4 valves per cylinder, 1368 cc
• Power: 155 hp at 5500 min
• Max torque 206 Nm at 5000 rpm (230 Nm at 3000 rpm in “sport” mode)
• Drive-by-wire accelerator controls with no mechanical connection
• Supercharged with IHI RHF3-P10.5 fixed geometry turbocharger.
Transmission
• 6-speed gearbox
• Dual hose external gearbox drive.
Suspension and steering
• Front with McPherson strut and anti-roll bar
• Torsion bar suspension at the rear
• Lowered sports suspension
• Electric power steering with “power boost” mode.
Brakes
• Fixed front caliper: Brembo M4x40, dual piston
• Ventilated front brake disc ø 305 mm x 28 mm
• Rear caliper with piston ø 54 mm
• Rear brake disc ø 264 mm x 11 mm.
Bodywork
• Deepened front and rear bumpers
Wheels
• Aluminium alloys, 7” x 17”
• Tyres: 215/45-17
Grande Punto Abarth “esseesse”
Early in 2008, the Grande Punto Abarth range will be completed with the “esseesse” (Super Sport) kit.
The “esseesse” kit is reserved especially for the Grande Punto Abarth, and can only be installed at the official Abarth service centres. The car can be converted at the time of sale, up to 1 year after purchase, or after 20,000 km on the road. Once the work has been done, the tuner will deal with the administration required to have the vehicle approved: a small service, but one that provides customers with extra security.
With the “esseesse” kit, the Grande Punto Abarth has almost twice the power of the basic Fiat model (a statistic repeated throughout Abarth’s history: the Fiat 500 from 1958 had 13 hp, while the Abarth-modified car reached 26). When fitted with a 1.4 16v engine enhanced to 180 hp (at 5750 rpm) and with a maximum torque of 272 Nm, the Grande Punto Abarth “esseesse” can achieve a maximum speed of 215 km/h, accelerating from 0-100 km/h in just 7.7 seconds.
The kit also offers several exclusive features such as the stickers with the “esseesse” logo, and the chequered flag. The finishing touches include 18” alloy wheels and various mechanical modifications to alter the car’s dynamics, for example the special set up (both the front and rear suspension has been lowered by a further 20 mm compared to the Grande Punto Abarth), and the enhanced braking system (the front discs are perforated and fitted with high-performance pads).
An integrated product, the “esseesse” kit is also safe, since the engine cannot be tuned unless the brakes are enhanced and the set up is modified at the same time. All this will only be possible at Abarth tuning centres.
Merchandising & Licensing
To support the brand’s re-launch strategy, Abarth & C. is working simultaneously on two fronts. On the one hand, a series of license agreements is being developed with leading companies in various lines of business, while on the other, the company is directly involved in designing and producing merchandising items.
Obviously, the distribution policy will reflect the Abarth image.
As far as licensing initiatives are concerned, the company says that various agreements have been signed with top-level partners in sectors ranging from publishing to technical products, performance enhancers and model car building. Finally, other important agreements are envisaged in the short term, related to clothing and the Abarth “total look”.
Racing
A long tradition of records and victories
Founded in 1949 by the Austrian Carlo Abarth, the company made its début in the racing world with the 204 A Roadster (based on the Fiat 1100), which was instantly capable of winning the Italian 1100 sport and Formula 2 championships. The brand became increasingly popular among motoring enthusiasts.
Its progress was unstoppable, and over the years it became a particularly authoritative name, reaching its peak at the end of the 1950s and throughout the 1960s. Carlo Abarth devoted himself entirely to building up the "Scorpion" legend, and his work rate, almost frenetic, revealed the nature of his genius.
This epic success story, almost without equal, forged ahead at a pace that is incredible even by today's standards. A long road, marked by records, victories and ground-breaking ideas that were to change the way people looked at sports cars.
In 1956, in a Fiat Abarth 750 styled by Bertone, Abarth set a lengthy string of endurance and speed records: at the Monza circuit on 18 June, he beat the 24 hour record, covering 3743 km at an average speed of 155 km/h.
Later, from 27-29 June, on the same circuit in Lombardy, he notched up a series of records: the 5000 and 10,000 km, the 5000 mile, and even the 48 and 72 hour records. His success was international, and the influential German magazine “Das Auto Motor Und Sport”, in its issue no. 15 (21 July 1956), even featured the Abarth 750 on its cover. The same car was styled by Zagato in two different versions: the Fiat Abarth 750 Zagato (1956) and the Fiat Abarth 750 GT Zagato (1956). On 11 and 12 May 1957, at the 24th Mille Miglia, there were no fewer than 20 "Scorpions" in the 750 class, of which an impressive 16 finished the race.
In 1958, Abarth achieved nothing short of a masterpiece with the new Fiat 500, completely transforming the small utility car and enhancing its potential to the full.
In the same year, he formed an even closer relationship with Fiat, which agreed to award cash prizes to Abarth according to the number of victories and records set by the team. This event would form the foundations for the impressive roll of honors that followed: 10 world records, 133 international records and over 10,000 track victories.
The Abarth legend kept on growing, and even became part of everyday parlance. The 1960s were the golden age for Abarth, and the name came to mean "speed", “courage”, “performance” and “modification”. The list of vehicles which have helped to engrave the Abarth name deep into motor-racing history is truly a long one: from the 850 TC which won at every international circuit including the Nurburgring, to the Fiat Abarth “1000 Berlina”, right up to the 2300 S which notched up an extraordinary series of records at Monza, despite the adverse weather conditions.
In 1965, Carlo Abarth wanted to set his own personal record. On October 20, 1965, at Monza, with the Fiat Abarth “1000 Single-seater Record” Class G, (105 hp) set the record for acceleration over 1/4 mile and 500 meters. The following day, in a 2000 cc class E single-seater, he set the same records for higher categories. Once again, an anecdote says much about the tenacity of this man, who had to lose 30 kilos before he could fit into the narrow cockpit and take his car to victory - at the age of 57.
From 1971 on, Fiat Auto became the outright owner of Abarth, and the last vehicle in which its founder was to play an active part was the A112 Abarth.
During the 1980s, the story continued with celebrated cars like the Ritmo Abarth and the Fiat 131 Abarth which won the world rally championship no fewer than three times: in 1977 and 1978 with Markku Alen (the father of Anton Alen, currently a driver in the Abarth team) and in 1980 with Walter Röhrl.
Abarth has now inherited the activities of the Fiat Racing Team, and has once again entered the world of rallying on a winning streak. Last year, the Grande Punto S2000 won all the championships it entered: the International, European and Italian Rally Challenges.
Grande Punto Abarth S2000
A competitive car with a racing destiny, through the Racing Division the Grande Punto Abarth S2000 is taking part in the Italian Rally Championship 2007, driven by Giandomenico Basso, with co-driver Mitia Dotta. It is also taking part in the IRC (Intercontinental Rally Challenge) with Anton Alen, Andrea Navarra and Umberto Scandola behind the wheel.
Fitted with a normally aspirated 2000 cc engine (270 hp) and 4-wheel drive, the new Grande Punto Abarth S2000 is the successor to the car which won the European and Intercontinental Rally Challenge in 2006, with Giandomenico Basso and Mitia Dotta, and also triumphed with 7 wins in the 2006 Italian Rally Championship.
It should be remembered that the cars produced to date, approximately 25, have been ordered by various racing teams both in Europe and further afield, to compete in international and national rallies. On the strength of this advanced technology, the new Grande Punto Abarth S2000 is leading the two championships with the same determination.
Claudio Berro, the director of Racing Operations at Abarth & C. Spa, can rely on personnel with extensive motor-racing experience, and a prestigious team of drivers.
Technical specifications
Engine
• 4 cylinders in line, 1997 cc, transversely mounted (developed by FPT Racing)
• Power: 270 hp at 8250 rpm with flange 64 (as per technical regulations)
• Max torque 222 Nm at 6500 rpm.
Transmission
• 6-speed gearbox with sequential control, frontal engagement and cut-off during changes, unique housing and interior for single supply (as per technical regulations).
• Mechanical front, central and rear differentials with ramps and clutches to modify the locking percentages.
• Single-supply rear differential with multi-plate clutch to limit torque
• Specific drive shafts, car-side tripod joints and wheel-side constant velocity joints
• Specific steel propeller shaft with two branches and intermediate chassis support.
Suspension
• McPherson strut at front
• McPherson strut at rear
• Specific front cross member
• Specific rear cross member
• Adjustable dampers.
Brakes
• Monolithic front caliper (4 pistons)
• Front brake disc 355 mm for asphalt, 300 mm for gravel
• 4-piston rear caliper
• Rear brake disc 300 mm.
Bodywork
• Front and rear bumpers widened to a maximum of 1800 mm
• Rear spoiler (dimensions restricted by technical regulations) for enhanced stability by boosting the aerodynamic load.
Wheels
• Asphalt rims 8’’ x 18’’, gravel rims 6.5” x 15 “
• Asphalt tyres 20/65-18, gravel tyres 19/65-15, snow tyres 10/65-16.
Driver profiles - team Abarth 2007
Giandomenico Basso
Born 15 September 1973 in Montebelluna (TV)
1993 Debut
1995 Fiat Cinquecento Trophy 5th overall
1996 Fiat Cinquecento Trophy 5th overall
1997 Fiat Cinquecento Trophy 1st overall
1998 Fiat Cinquecento Trophy (Kit Cars) 1st overall
1999 Fiat Punto Trophy 2nd overall
2000 World Championship Super 1600 Division 5th overall in Fiat Punto
2001 Fiat Punto Trophy 2nd overall
2002 World Junior Rally Championship 5th overall in Fiat Punto
2003 Italian Rally Championship 2nd overall in Fiat Punto
Fiat Abarth Trophy 1st overall
2004 Italian Rally Championship 4th overall in Fiat Punto Abarth
2005 European Rally Championship 2nd overall in Fiat Punto Abarth
2006 International Rally Challenge 1st overall in Fiat Grande Punto
European Championship 1st overall in Fiat Grande Punto
Andrea Navarra
Born 25 February 1971, Cesena
1989 Debut
1992 Fiat Uno Turbo Trophy 3rd overall
1993 Italian Gravel Rally Trophy 2nd overall
1998 European Rally Championship 1st overall
Italian Rally Championship 3rd overall
1999 Italian Rally Championship 6th overall
2000 Fiat Punto Kit Car Trophy 2nd overall
2001 Fiat Punto Kit Car Trophy 1st overall
Italian Gravel Rally Trophy 4th overall
2002 Italian Gravel Rally Challenge 1st overall
2003 Italian Gravel Rally Challenge 1st overall
2004 Italian Rally Championship 1st overall
2005 Italian Rally Championship 2nd overall
2006 Italian Rally Championship 3rd overall in Fiat Grande Punto
Davide Gatti
Born 6 February 1971, Reggio Emilia
1993 Debut in the Fiat Cinquecento Trophy
1995 CSAI Cup Gravel Trophy 1st in Junior category)
1996 2 litre Championship 1st in Group N
2005 Asphalt Rally Trophy 2nd in Super 1600
2006 Fiat Abarth International Trophy 1st overall in Fiat Punto Abarth
Umberto Scandola
Born 5 December 1984, Verona
2003 Debut
2004 ACI CSAI Rally 1st overall
2005 Italian Rally Championship 1st Under 25
2006 International Rally Challenge
Sanremo Rally 6th overall in Fiat Grande Punto
Anton Alen
Born 3 June 1983, Helsinki (Finland)
2004 Debut
2005 Italian championship
2006 Production class of World Rally Championship, Italian Championship and Gravel Trophy
One-make trophies
Promotional trophies are part and parcel of the Abarth story. The first edition of the A112 Abarth Trophy, the first one-make rally championship, dates back to 1977, and featured the Autobianchi A112 Abarth 70HP. A small, agile car, it coped well with the tough, demanding rally stages, bringing success and fame to a great many Italian drivers. It fulfilled this role for 8 years, until 1984. Fiat then continued its policy of supporting young drivers in the Fiat Uno, Uno Turbo, Fiat Cinquecento, Seicento and Punto championships, up until the more recent Fiat Panda Rally Cup, Fiat Abarth Italian and International competitions.
This year, true to tradition, there is a major new development represented by the Abarth Grande Punto ORO DIESEL Trophy, the championship reserved for the Fiat Grande Punto R3D. Ahead of its time, the car is already configured according to the international technical standards due to come into force in 2008.
The star of the competition, the Fiat Grande Punto, complies with the technical specifications of Group R and has a 1900 cc Multijet diesel engine. A conversion kit has been developed for this car, on sale at approximately € 30,000, which includes all the safety and mechanical components required for racing. The car used by competitors can be acquired from the Fiat Italia sales network with a 25% discount.
The 2007 championship is held over 6 stages, all on tarmac, of which 5 are part of the Italian Rally Championship. As always, there is an attractive cash prize of over € 300,000, and the winner will receive support in continuing his racing career.
A one-make trophy was also held in 2007, reserved for Fiat’s other racing models, in particular the Fiat Punto Super 1600 and the Fiat Panda Kit and 100HP. Finally, the most striking piece of news is the new format for the Fiat Panda Trophy, which drivers can enter with their own car and their own team. There is also a substantial prize in this competition: over € 100,000.
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