In Frankfurt next month
Abarth will show a special series model that aims to
promote elegance and style: the Abarth 500 "Cabrio
Italia" comes in a special Blu Abu Dhabi livery - a
tribute to Italian design in the year of the 150th
anniversary of Italian unity - combined with an
electrically operated black top and tinted rear windows.
Born with a strong "Turismo" vocation, it will accompany
the 2011 Automotive Giro d'Italia after the world debut
in Frankfurt. This is a legendary sporting event that
returns after 110 years since the first epic edition to
celebrate the 150 year anniversary of Italian
Unification, travelling more than 1,500 km, just like
the Abarth Limited Edition.
Distinguished by a special chrome "500 Cabrio Italia"
plate with satin effect, 150 cars will be produced with
a 1.4 Turbo T-Jet engine that delivers an impressive 160
HP (118 kW) and maximum torque of 230 Nm at 3,000 rpm in
Sport mode.
The engine is a 1,368 cm3 4 cylinder 16 valve unit
(turbocharged with a fixed-geometry IHI turbocharger)
that delivers exhilarating performance. Top speed is 211
km/h while acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h takes place
in just 7.4 seconds. This is partly achieved by the over
boost function, activated by the "Sport" button that
modulates control unit mapping and turbo pressure in
addition to load on the steering wheel. Yet this
typically Abarth performance comes with very frugal fuel
consumption: 6.5 l/100 km over a combined cycle. For the
first time combined with the 160 HP engine, the Abarth
500 "Cabrio Italia" also offers a 5-speed manual gearbox
that exalts personal driving style through a more direct
relationship with the car. In terms of safety, the
Abarth 500 "Cabrio Italia" follows the Abarth 500C
standards.
In addition, as on all the other Abarths, it offers
standard the TTC (Torque Transfer Control) device that
by improving the transfer of drive torque to the wheels,
enhances the car road holding without compromising the
fun to drive it. Finally, this new special series is
equipped with the "esseesse" brake system - consisting
of perforated self-ventilated front brake discs and
fixed four-piston caliper - which makes this car even
safer, higher performing and more fun than ever before.
This special series is equipped with Xenon headlights
with dipped and main beam functions for improved light
emission and excellent efficiency under all weather
conditions. These elements deliver three times the light
intensity and duration of standard halogen lamp
headlights.
The "Abarth Corsa by Sabelt" seats in natural leather
with backrest in carbon fibre embellish the new Abarth
500 "Cabrio Italia". Thanks to this, these seats offer a
perfect blend of racing characteristics - light weight
(10 kg less than the standard seat) and the ability to
restrain the body against lateral and longitudinal
forces, thanks to body support strip elements filled
with mono-layer padding - with the ergonomics and
comfort of road seats. The interior is embellished by
pedals and gear lever knob in Alutex aluminium glass
fibre material and running board in carbon fibre with
dedicated "Cabrio Italia" graphics. The dashboard is the
same Blu Abu Dhabi shade as the body and a chrome plate
with the same graphics is housed on the central console
with sequential numbering to demonstrate the exclusive
Limited Edition version.
Moreover, an Abarth Blue&MeTM MAP satellite navigation
unit with a telemetric function developed in conjunction
with Magneti Marelli is integrated in the dashboard.
Steering wheel in black leather with double stitching
and the mirror covers in the shade of magnesium complete
the aesthetic features. The 10-spoke 17" rims with
diamond effect, also magnesium in colour, are
embellished by the yellow Brembo front callipers.
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