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Fiat 500X Abarth could pack 200 horsepower

Enticing as some of its products might be, Abarth has been rather limited. Fiat revived the name to serve as its performance sub-brand in 2007, tasking it with producing hot versions of the 500 and Punto. The Punto never even made it to America, and isn't even offered overseas anymore, either. But don't think that Fiat Chrysler is just going to let the Scorpion marque skate by on just one model for much longer. Abarth is expected to offer its own performance version of the upcoming Fiat 124 Spider that's based on the Mazda MX-5 Miata. But that's not all. According to Alfredo Altavilla, FCA's COO for Europe, Africa and the Middle East, the company is closely evaluating a performance version of the 500X (pictured here with Mopar accessories). "Besides the 124 and 500, we are thinking about an all-new addition to the line-up," Altavilla told Auto Express. "The 500X is one of the options being considered." If approved for production, the 500X Abarth would target the likes of the Mini Countryman JCW and Nissan Juke Nismo. It may be too early to make the call on powertrain options, but we could be looking at a retuned version of the adaptable 1.75-liter turbo four in the Alfa Romeo 4C that's also tipped to power the Abarth 124, with around 200 horsepower. That'd put it right in line with the 197 hp in the Juke Nismo, 215 hp in the Juke Nismo RS, and 208 hp in the Countryman JCW. This isn't the first time we've heard the prospect of an Abarth 500X brought up. The last time was the better part of the year ago, when we we hoped the project would lead to an amped-up Jeep Renegade as well. The Italian-American automaker has no intention of phoning it in with the Abarth 500X. "We went a bit too far with the Punto Abarth. Now our customers won't buy a fake. If the 500X becomes the addition to the Abarth line-up, it will be everything but a family version," said Altavilla. "Any new version of an Abarth car should deliver some sort of a performance enhancement, otherwise it is useless."

Fiat teases upcoming new 124 roadster

Enthusiasts have been waiting for some time for the debut of the Fiat 124. And we've had some pretty good glimpses at what to expect along the way. But now Fiat has dropped the first official teaser images to prepare us for the arrival of its upcoming new roadster. The model tipped to revive the number 124 represents Fiat's version of the program that has already given us the new Mazda MX-5 Miata. The Italian counterpart was originally slated to wear the Alfa Romeo badge, but concerns that customers wouldn't welcome an Alfa made in Japan led FCA to repurpose the program as a Fiat. That brand already produces its vehicles in locations around the world, including the 500 in Poland and Mexico, the 500L in Serbia, and the upcoming Tipo in Turkey. Another Fiat made in Japan, then, wouldn't be as much of a stretch as it would be for Alfa Romeo, which manufactures exclusively in Italy. As we were able to see from the most recent spy shots, the Fiat 124 will adopt similar (if not identical) proportions and layout to the MX-5, but with its own unique sheetmetal. And that, as you can see from these line drawings, will include a prominent belt line melding into a muscular rear haunch. Expect FCA's own engines to slot in under the hood, including the turbo four from the Fiat 500 Abarth and the more potent one from the Alfa Romeo 4C. Given Fiat's timing in releasing these teasers, we have a good feeling the 124 could debut at the LA Auto Show later this month. The SoCal auto expo always proves a good setting at which to unveil a new convertible – especially one as vital to a brand's US presence as the 124 will be for Fiat. So watch this space.

2016 April Fools' Day: Morgan digs at Tesla, Mini's scissor doors, more

Every year automakers go out of their way to come up with gags for April Fools' Day. Sometimes the jokes fall flat, but occasionally a company really nails it with an idea that we'd actually love to see. Rather than scouring the Web for all of these stunts, you can find some of our favorites right here. Morgan MOGrod The Morgan Motor Company's MOGrod is one of our favorite April Fools' jokes so far this year because it's a car we wish could be real. The company says on Twitter that the retro hot rod uses a 3.7-liter Ford V6, and there are already 250,000 preorders, which is a play on the huge number of reservations for the Tesla Model 3. Morgan took the joke even further by sketching a landspeed record version for the Bonneville Salt Flats. Mini Scissor Doors The people at Mini apparently have a lot of free time because the company has two gags this year. The first is the scissor door option. The idea cleverly plays on the myriad ways customers can customize their Mini, but this solution doesn't look like anyone could easily enter the car due to the way these doors open. Mini Hipster Hatch There's also the Hipster Mini, which is a much funnier idea. This fictional hatchback would be perfect for fashionable Millennials thanks to features like Instagram-filter windows and a fixed-gear drivetrain, which limits the top speed to 25 miles per hour. The interior uses stonewash denim upholstery and packs a twin-deck cassette player. Skoda Dog Umbrella People love dogs, and owners know that a wet canine can be a mess. Skoda is ready to tackle this problem with an umbrella for your mutt. Made from unobtainium, the gadget hides in the door when not in use, but when raindrops start falling, people can keep their pup dry. Skoda Snowman Skoda's Facebook page also teases us with a very cool vehicle. The Snowman is a 396-horsepower plug-in hybrid snow machine. With its tracks, the company's newest model would never have to worry about getting stuck in the winter. Opel Adam C Sure, electricity and hydrogen are cleaner forms of fuel than gasoline or diesel, but Opel has a way to make your car even more environmentally friendly – muscle power. Wind up the crank at the rear for 15 minutes, and the Opel Adam C is good for 125 miles. GM's European division also claims that owners get a great workout because a full winding session burns 400 calories. You wouldn't feel guilty about picking up that pizza after cranking up this hatchback.