One of the Abarth stand’s protagonists will be the brand-new Abarth 695 “Tributo Ferrari”, a special, limited and numbered series celebrating the Italian racing tradition, passion for performance, attention to detail and technical innovation that both brands express. The special Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari on display in Frankfurt next week will “race” on a platform coated with a special resin that evokes the atmosphere of the racetrack, the natural habitat of Abarth cars. Abarth and Magneti Marelli engineers have developed a range of exhaust systems designated “Record Monza”. “Record Monza” exhausts are variable back-pressure systems capable of improving the performance and the sound of the engine and making it more characteristically “Abarth”. Designed for competition on the track, the Abarth 500 “Assetto Corse” comes in full racing style, as embodied in its 1400 cc, 16 valve, 190 HP engine, wider track, white 17” light alloy racing wheels, lowered suspensions, and racing mirrors. Photo: Emanuele Moncini on his way to victory in the opening race of the most recent round of the Trofeo Abarth 500 Europe which was held at Oschersleben in Germany last weekend. The Brescian driver went on to make it two wins out of two by winning Sunday's second race in the double header and thus close up in the championship standings with just one round remaining. The new “Abarth Corse by Sabelt” seat is a technically evolved product jointly developed by two Italian companies sharing similar technological and sporting values. In Sabelt, Abarth has found an ideal development partner, and one that shares Abarth’s determination to take products that are functional in terms of performance and safety from the world of racing and make them accessible to all its customers.

Inspired by the world of racing, Abarth’s original stand at the Frankfurt Motor Show will be displaying all the winning products – standard cars, performance kits and race ready cars – that have helped Abarth achieve commercial success in Italy and abroad. One of the stand’s protagonists will be the brand-new Abarth 695 “Tributo Ferrari”, a special, limited and numbered series celebrating the Italian racing tradition, passion for performance, attention to detail and technical innovation that both brands express. Abarth and Ferrari are two great names that have contributed, with conviction and dedication, to the legend of Italian racing that is known around the world.

The car on display “races” on a platform coated with a special resin that evokes the atmosphere of the racetrack, the natural habitat of Abarth cars. After all, it is from the world of motor racing that Abarth takes the technology and values that it transfers to the production of its road-going cars and performance kits.

The same philosophy has led to the development of the other two cars on display at Frankfurt: the new Abarth Grande Punto “SuperSport” and the Abarth 500 “Assetto Corse”, the small supersport designed for racetrack competitions, built directly by Abarth, and sold "race ready" to drivers via the “Abarth Racing” network that also provides technical assistance and transport services. The technical characteristics of the Abarth 500 “Assetto Corse” and the race formula itself have been carefully selected to facilitate participation in competitive racing at an extremely low cost. This is yet another practical application of Abarth’s mission to “democratise” motor racing.

This practical approach confirms Abarth’s racing spirit and applies the same philosophy that has identified Abarth for fifty years: the transfer of racing experience to the market in order to facilitate access to the world of racing. In less than two years, this strategy has led to the introduction of two cars – the Abarth Grande Punto and the Abarth 500 – as well as two performance kits. The same spirit has gone into the creation of an exclusive sales network, staffed by experts capable of providing ideal solutions to an informed and demanding public. In keeping with this philosophy, Abarth has increased its involvement in motor sport competitions and entered into agreements with partners of excellence.

Proof that the direction taken by Abarth is the right one comes from the statistics. These announce quite clearly that the brand is experiencing continuous growth. From 2008 to the present day, Abarth has sold over 15,000 cars, with 6,300 Abarth 500’s and 2,100 Grande Punto’s sold in 2009 alone, to say nothing of 2,500 performance kits, proving that one Abarth 500 in three is fitted with an SS kit. On top of these extraordinary sales figures, the number of dealers and official performance centres is also growing rapidly, improving distribution on existing markets and continuing expansion into strategic markets like Germany, France, the UK and Japan. The Abarth distribution network is already unique, boasting 120 showrooms, 132 official performance centres and 220 service centres in Europe. On top of this, a new level called “Abarth Racing” has been introduced into the Abarth performance network. Abarth Racing centres offer customers exclusive assistance via the “Racing Service” that provides a privileged entry to the world of Abarth motor sport.

Visitors to the Frankfurt show will also be able to see the latest additions to the “Abarth Car Accessories” catalogue, developed in conjunction with prestige partners. New accessories include the “Record Monza” exhaust systems developed with Magneti Marelli and “Abarth Corsa by Sabelt” seats. In the area of collaboration with other companies, two unique and exclusive products will mark Abarth’s entry into two areas that share the same racing spirit: boat racing, with the development of the first Powershore Abarth SP (Sport Prototype), and motorcycle racing, with the Yamaha FZ1 Abarth Assetto Corse concept bike.

“Record Monza” exhaust systems

Abarth and Magneti Marelli engineers have developed a range of exhaust systems designated “Record Monza”. “Record Monza” exhausts are variable back-pressure systems capable of improving the performance and the sound of the engine and making it more characteristically “Abarth”.

These thoroughly innovative exhausts also embody one of the most authentic traditions of the Scorpion marque. Thanks to the racing experience and genius of Karl Abarth, the 1960’s saw the introduction of the famous Abarth performance kits whose key feature was an exhaust based on a simple but clever idea: these exhausts featured a central pipe of constant section with side passages through the fibreglass, and the elimination of all diaphragms to minimise exhaust gas compression. This simple but innovative system gave Abarth exhausts a clear advantage in terms of performance, and an unmistakable sound. In only a few years Abarth & C. achieved a global dimension: in 1962 the company’s staff of 375 people produced 257,000 exhausts, 65% of which were destined for export. Faithful to this history, Abarth is offering the new range of “Record Monza” exhausts, with variable back pressure 'dual mode' design that improves the sound of the engine above 3000 rpm. “Record Monza” exhausts can be mounted on the Abarth 500 , the Abarth Grande Punto, and on petrol versions of the Fiat 500, and come in a matt black finish, with chromed tail pipes sporting the Abarth logo in relief.

“Abarth Corsa by Sabelt” seats

The new “Abarth Corse by Sabelt” seat is a technically evolved product jointly developed by two Italian companies sharing similar technological and sporting values. In Sabelt, Abarth has found an ideal development partner, and one that shares Abarth’s determination to take products that are functional in terms of performance and safety from the world of racing and make them accessible to all its customers. Designed by Sabelt’s Style Centre, under the supervision of the Abarth Style Centre, the new seats apply the same philosophy that inspired the creation of racing seats for the Abarth 595 and 695 in the 1960s. These monocoque seats with a clearly sporting character were designed and produced by Roberto Fusina, and featured rounded lines and pronounced body support elements that made them ideal not only for racing but for touring use too. The new “Abarth Corsa by Sabelt” seats offer a perfect blend of racing characteristics – light weight (over 10 kg less than the standard seat) and the ability hold the body steady against lateral and longitudinal forces, thanks to body support elements filled with crush-resistant foam – with the ergonomics and comfort of road seats. The seats are fitted with a tilt release lever; the headrest is incorporated in the backrest with a characteristic slot for routing a four point racing harness. The shell (with the innovative load-bearing backrest) and seat base are moulded in a white composite material made from structural polyester resins reinforced with 1” glass fibres, and are manufactured using advanced SMC (Sheet Moulding Compound) technology. Available in two versions (in black Frau leather with perforated black Alcantara or in “F1” black hitech fabric), “Abarth Corsa by Sabelt” seats are embellished by details like red stitching around the stylish folds, the characteristic Abarth logo, and a silver finished Scorpion logo on the backrest reclining knob.

The Powershore Abarth SP (Sport Prototype)

Abarth makes its entry into powerboat racing with its first “Powershore” boat, designed in typical Abarth style and with the sort of performance you would expect from the marque of the Scorpion. Abarth has taken the Strider 12S built by SACS and transformed it into the Powershore Abarth SP (Sport Prototype), a maxi rib inspired by the world of powerboat racing and powered by three special edition Yamaha engines. Propelled by over 1000 horsepower, and specially prepared for this exclusive version, the boat offers thrilling acceleration and speed and can deliver on the water the same emotions that a racing car or bike can on the land. The design, by Christian Grande and the Fiat Group’s Centro Stile, is even more aggressive than the already stunning standard version. Special graphics combine with elements in pure racing style to enhance every aspect of the “Powershore”, from the deck to the cabin, driving seats, stowage compartments, controls and instrumentation. The “Powershore Abarth SP” is a true expression not only of luxury and exclusiveness, but also of performance and power, to be enjoyed in complete safety and with great ease thanks to the boat’s stability and its tubular buoyancy compartments. The new boat is offered as a “factory” product, prepared with special components in true Abarth style to allow enthusiasts to own a unique and totally uncompromising machine.

Technical specifications: Overall length: 12.30 m – Overall beam: 3.64 m – Draft at screws: 0.7 m – Fuel tank capacity: 900 l – Water tank capacity: 120 l – Sewage tank capacity: 51 l – Displacement with engines: approx. 5.7 t - Sleeps: 2 people.

The Yamaha FZ1 Abarth Assetto Corse

Modifying material with the force of passion. This philosophy, which is close to the Yamaha and Scorpion brands, has inspired the creation of a unique Concept Bike, on which ideas of exclusiveness and beauty add value to the standard product. Yamaha and Abarth are currently examining the possibility of transforming the concept into reality by giving life to the Yamaha FZ1 Abarth Assetto Corse in a special limited series. The FZ1 which, at 150 HP is the most powerful naked 1000 on the market, has been embellished with parts in carbon fibre, aluminium and titanium, fully adjustable suspensions, monobloc brake calipers and a Brembo variable radial master cylinder, aeronautical braided hoses, and two 320-mm, SK profile, floating wave type front discs. The special edition also boasts Ohlins suspensions, Marchesini gold anodised wheels derived from MotoGP racing and a Two Tone microfibre anatomic seat.  Thanks to materials and technical solutions that have been experimented on circuits all over the world, the FZ1 Abarth Assetto Corse takes the riding experience to a higher level.

The Scorpion gets a new website

Once again Abarth stands out by taking another step in the direction of brand democratisation, offering customers and enthusiasts the chance to play an active role in the life of the Scorpion via the new Abarth.it internet platform. The new site is packed with tools, news and exclusive content like the community wall, car configurator, competition world, blog, newsletter and much more besides. The aims of the new site are to boost brand and product awareness on all markets, to facilitate sales, to increase participation, to create a common platform for all markets, and to promote dialogue between the company and its customers. The web is already home to many fans, as the widespread presence of Abarth in numerous blogs, community and social networks shows, but this new official site will serve as the reference point for everybody seeking to find out more about Abarth and to share its racing soul and spirit of innovation. Abarth serves a very young market, and has consequently decided to focus on virtual media as well as traditional communication tools to satisfy its requests. This approach is also in keeping with Abarth’s attitude to technological development. In true Abarth spirit, technology has to be transformed into performance, participation and preparation. All these elements are found in the new site, which is structured in five main areas – content, products, the world of racing, customers and brand extension – and invites users to play an active role and to help promote the growth and development of the brand in line with customer needs.

The most important new addition to the site is the “community wall”, a tool that lets visitors view official Abarth content and to share photos, videos and links with other fans. The space will be built and continuously expanded by contributions from users. Users can post links to content from other sites on the wall, enriching and bringing the site closer to the wishes of the many fans of the Scorpion. Users will also be able to configure their own Abarth car using a 3D car configurator, stay informed about the latest product news and racing results, take part in discussions on the blog, and buy official merchandise from Abarth Store. The abarth.it website has been on-line since May. Sites for the other markets in which Abarth is active will go on line between September and the end of the year.

The Abarth 500 “Assetto Corse” and the Abarth 500 Trophy