The high performance 500 Abarth has take centre stage amongst the fastest and most luxurious car on display at the Autocar Performance Show 2008 in Mumbai, the first time that the relaunched Abarth brand has been seen in India.

The Car of the Year 2008 award winning Fiat 500 was presented in India for the first time in January at the New Delhi Auto Expo, and it finally went on very limited sale across the country over the summer. With a price tag pitched at around Rs 15 lakh, the 500 is well beyond the reach of most Indian consumers and so instead it is being firmly targeted as a 'halo' model, a glamorous lifestyle car, that appeals to the fashion-conscious and celebrities. Last week Fiat India revealed the 41 units of the imported car have been sold already.

Now the dazzling 500 Abarth version has arrived in India, the extreme sports version of the Fiat 500 range taking a prominent position at the Autocar Performance Show 2008. Although there are no plans at present to launch the Abarth brand, which is making its presence felt as it is rolled out across Europe, in India, Fiat India will however examine visitor reaction with an eye to the future.

And feedback will certainly be impressive. At the Autocar Performance Show 2008 the 500 Abarth, in its shiny white bodypaint finish, red Abarth side stripes and bright red leather interior, was clearly the star exhibit, despite the fact that it was surrounded in the halls by a real welter of high-performance machines like Porsches, Ferraris, Lamborghinis, BMWs, Corvettes, Audis and Bentleys, as well as a large display of exotic motorbikes. Throughout the event in Mumbai visitors, enthusiasts, families and children lined up to have their photographs taken with the 500 Abarth.

Autocar Performance Show 2008 bills itself as the most exciting car and bike show to be held India. It is a unique platform which brings both the specialist automotive industry and car enthusiasts of all types together under one roof. For exhibitors, this show provides an exclusive marketing and cost-effective opportunity to display and demonstrate their products to the right target audience.

The Autocar Performance Show 2008 is also a leading auto show for high-performance automotive products. It is used by manufacturers as a platform to launch and display their latest cars, bikes, accessories and other products in India. It is not just another automobile show but the ultimate destination for all serious Indian car and bike enthusiasts. It has already established itself as the Mecca for auto buffs with a passion for performance.

The show featured the entire gamut of performance products. From the most powerful and expensive cars and bikes in the country to purpose-built single-seater racing cars. From modifications that enhance vehicle performance to accessories that make a car look better, the latest sound systems to multi-media technology it was all under one roof.

Competition vehicles from the motor sport world like single-seater racing cars and rally cars along with specialised equipment such as lightweight seats, safety systems, and competition tyres were also on show. For 2008 the Autocar Performance Show 2008 has set a new benchmark with a record number of exhibitors and visitors; with over 100,000 visitors attending the show this year.