Abarth expansion rumors quashed
Thu, 31 Oct 2013
Abarth has made a lot out of very little. Its entire lineup is based on the 500 and (in markets other than ours) the Punto. But that isn't about to change anytime soon.
Rumors had been circulating that Abarth could make a performance version of the new Fiat 500L, but the latest reports indicate that's off the table. Which makes some degree of sense, considering that the 500L is already available with the 500 Abarth's 1.4-liter turbo four, and that its more bulbous form don't exactly lend themselves towards a performance model – whatever Mini and its John Cooper Works performance sub-brand have to say about the Countryman.
Nor is a Panda Abarth in the cards, either. That was another rumor that made the rounds, suggesting that Fiat's performance brand could be charged with developing a more potent successor to the much-loved Panda 100HP.
As were rumors of a stand-alone Abarth model, which was tipped years ago to raise the brand's profile and take on the likes of the Lotus Elise. Whether it was ever considered for Abarth or not, that role has clearly fallen instead to the Alfa Romeo 4C.
By Noah Joseph