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Abarth trim of Fiat 124 Spider reportedly debuts in Geneva

Keep your eyes open for the possible debut of the high-performance Abarth version of the Fiat 124 Spider at the Geneva Motor Show, which opens March 1. Alfredo Altavilla, FCA's chief operating officer for Europe, told Italian newspaper Corriere Della Sera the hotter droptop would debut in Switzerland, according to Road & Track. Unfortunately, he simply said the convertible would be there and didn't offer any details about its upgrades. Rumors paint a fairly complete picture about what to expect from the Abarth 124. European models would likely make 170 horsepower from a tuned version of the regular one's 1.4-liter turbocharged engine. However, there would also be an even hotter EsseEsse trim, which the US would get, with around 220 horsepower. Achieving that much power might require a new engine, and it's possible the convertible could borrow the 1.75-liter turbo unit from the Alfa Romeo 4C. Spy shots show the Abarth has a more aggressive look to match its extra performance. The body features larger front takes, bigger side sills, and dual-exit exhausts at each corner of the rear. Reports also suggest Fiat would borrow from the classic 124 Spider by offering options like a removable hardtop and blacked-out hood. During the standard 124 Spider's debut at the LA Auto Show, Olivier Francois, global head of the Fiat brand, said the company plans to market the new convertible as a relatively affordable but distinctly Italian sports car. A Ferrari might be out of a buyer's reach, but a Fiat is attainable. The Abarth's extra performance seems like a perfect way to further that message, and we can't wait to see it. Related Video:

FCA CEO Mike Manley will run Americas for Stellantis after PSA merger

DETROIT — Fiat Chrysler CEO Mike Manley will run operations in the Americas when his company merges with FranceÂ’s PSA Peugeot early next year. FCA Chairman John Elkann announced ManleyÂ’s new post on Friday in a letter to employees. ManleyÂ’s role in the merged company had been a mystery. PSA CEO Carlos Tavares will run the overall company, to be named Stellantis. Shareholders of both companies will vote on the merger Jan. 4 to seal the deal creating the worldÂ’s fourth-largest automaker. The merger is expected to be completed by the end of March. PSA will get six seats on the new companyÂ’s 11-member board, which will be chaired by Elkann. The Americas, especially the U.S., are key to the new companyÂ’s success. Fiat ChryslerÂ’s Jeep and Ram brands are highly profitable, and Tavares has long wanted to sell PSA vehicles in the U.S. Manley has been the Italian-American automakerÂ’s CEO for 2 1/2 years, taking over when Sergio Marchionne died in 2018. Stellantis will have the capacity to produce 8.7 million cars a year, just behind Volkswagen, the Renault-Nissan alliance and Toyota. Related Video: Hirings/Firings/Layoffs Chrysler Dodge Fiat Jeep RAM Citroen Peugeot Mike Manley Stellantis

Fiat 124 Abarth spied looking sporty

Fiat isn't wasting any time. Mere weeks after the Italian brand introduced the new 124 Spider, we've captured our first spy shots of the Scorpion-badged Abarth model undergoing testing somewhere in Europe. The biggest giveaway that this is the hotted-up 124 are the four pipes sticking out of the rear bumper. While we can get a good look at the new exhaust arrangement, camouflage conceals a new bumper with bigger front intakes, meatier side sills, and of course, bigger wheels. As for the matte black hood – a touch that would be inspired by the Abarth 124 of yore – we simply can't spot anything to indicate that it's here (or that it's not, for that matter). You can check out this render for an idea of what the body mods will end up looking like. While our spies are reporting that the 124 Abarth will only get 170 horsepower in standard trim, that shouldn't disappoint you. Like the 500, the European 124 Abarth will likely come in two power levels, with the US market Abarth getting the higher output as standard. Our spies expect the EsseEsse model to produce 210 to 220 hp, which will probably sound a bit more palatable to US enthusiasts. There's no telling when the 124 Abarth will debut right now – it's still a bit too early in the process – although either Geneva or New York, both of which take place near the beginning of convertible season, would probably be safe bets.