Video: Fiat 500 Abarth Race Track Driving & Beauty Shots

The new 500 Abarth, which was first introduced at the 78th Geneva Motor show earlier this year, is due to go on sale from July 19 in Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Greece, France and the Netherlands. Aside from the base 135Hp version, Fiat has also introduced a limited production variant called “Opening Edition” that squeezes 160Hp from the 1.4-liter turbocharged engine (click here for details and 42 high res images). Follow the jump to see the video that includes driving footage on the race track as well as exterior and interior shots. -Continued

Exclusive: Fiat 500 Abarth Opening Edition with 160Hp plus 42 High-Res Images

If the standard Fiat 500 Abarth with its 135Hp strong 1.4-liter turbocharged engine doesn’t do the trick then you ought to take a look at the “500 Abarth Opening Edition” that will be produced in a limited number of units with the Italian market receiving just 100 cars.

First of all, the 500 Abarth Opening Edition is fitted with a revised version of the stock 1.4-liter turbo engine that produces 160Hp at 5750 rpm and a maximum torque of 230 Nm at 3000 rpm. Combined with a 5-speed gearbox the Opening Edition can go from 0 to 100km/h (62mph) in just 7.4 sec and on to a top speed of 211 km/h (131mph). That’s compared to the standard 500 Abarth’s 7.9 sec & 205 km/h.

Other mechanical upgrades include the adoption of front and rear perforated disc brakes, high performance front brake pads, a special ‘powered by BMC’ air filter, special low springs and 17" alloys painted white or titanium complete with 205/40 R16 ZR 17 Pirelli Pzero Nero tires. -Continued

On the outside, the 500 Abarth Opening Edition is distinguished by the red brake callipers and privacy windows. Inside, distinctive features include leather upholstery, a plate with the car serial number on the central tunnel, two aluminium badges bearing the wording ‘500 Abarth Opening Edition’ positioned on the faring while the gear knob is in glossy anodised aluminium with red engraved gears. Other features unique to the 500 Abarth Opening Edition include a grey or white fuel cap and key cover.

Buyers can choose between two colours (Campovolo grey or pearlised White) while there’s also the option of special stickers including a red chequered flag on the roof (exclusive to the Campovolo Grey shade) that pays homage to the numerous sporting victories of the Abarth brand. Finally, just to make it a tad more special, Fiat delivers the car with a cover bearing a period Abarth 595 design.

Fiat 500 Sells For Nearly $400,000 or €250,000!

By far this is the most expensive Fiat 500 in the world as it was sold for a jaw dropping £200,000 or about $400,000 / €250,000 at a fund-raising charity auction in London last week. Even though the particular Fiat 500 entitled ‘Dark, Dark, Dark’ was one of four special examples of the supermini designed and painted by acclaimed English artist Tracey Emin, $400k is a lot of money.

However it is comforting to know that all the proceeds will go ARK, a charity organisation made up of financial institutions, including City hedge funds, and personal donors that raises millions of pounds every year for good causes in areas such as tackling HIV in Africa, children in care in Eastern Europe, and inner city education in the UK. -More pics after the jump