Abarth just the thing for clean getaways

Fiat's new 500 not only revives the classic 1960s Bambino -- it also revives a classic 1960s tuner logo.

After months of speculation and spy shots, Fiat has released the first official image of its keenly anticipated 500 Abarth, which makes its world debut at the imminent Geneva motor show.

We'll see the garden-variety 500 here at next week's Melbourne motor show, but the Abarth version isn't due here until early 2009.

The new baby Fiat isn't the first 500 to benefit from Abarth attention: the 500-based Abarth 695 from the 1960s was a preposterous mite that delivered more track action than it had any right to do.

For those who came in late, Abarth is the tuning firm (founded in 1949) that's been synonymous with go-faster Fiats for the past half century. The company became a subsidiary of Fiat in 1971, and its venerable scorpion badge is still applied to the marque's high-po offerings.

You'll notice the scorpion logo appears on the nose and wheels of the butch-stanced 500 Abarth, and the pint-sized hatch wears an aggressive front bumper/spoiler comprising an XXL air intake and brake cooling ducts.

Aficionados of the 500 will also notice the nicely executed side-sill extensions and subtle rear spoiler. In addition, there's a twin-exhaust system that protrudes through the rear diffuser.

Further distinguishing the Abarth from lesser Cinquecentos is a set of black, scorpion-emblazoned 'telephone-dial' wheels (vaguely similar to those offered on the VW Golf GTI).

The newcomer was honed by the Fiat Group Automobiles Style Centre "in the spirit of the legendary Fiat 500 Abarth of the 1960s", and it's propelled by a 'Fire' 1.4-litre turbo engine that ekes out a perky 99kW at 5500rpm and peak torque of 206Nm at 3000rpm in 'Sport' mode. In 'Normal' mode, torque is wound back to 180 Nm at 2500rpm. As per the standard 500, the new Abarth meets future Euro 5 legislation.

Fiat claims the 500 Abarth benefits from a new TTC (Torque Transfer Control) system that improves the transfer of torque to the wheels. The Italian carmaker says "the car behaves impeccably on bends, making it safer and more entertaining even with a sporty driving style."

We're eager to find out for ourselves whether the Abarth 500 delivers dynamics that are a match for the entertaining Mini Cooper S. Although the Fiat 500 Abarth is discernibly smaller than the latter (its catchcry is "small but wicked"), it's not likely to be hugely cheaper.