In what represents a
small but significant change of direction for the reborn
Abarth brand, in a fortnight's time at the Frankfurt
IAA, Fiat will launch a 500 TwinAir version that comes
with an optional Scorpion-branded styling pack.
Since its high-visibility
relaunch by the now-departed Fiat brand boss Luca De Meo,
Abarth has rigorously pursued a standalone positioning,
with separate facilities to the Fiat network rump. This
strategy never made for a viable business case and
Abarth is too niche to contribute to Fiat's bottom line,
while at the same its separation loses the showroom
'halo' effect which is the primary function of any
limited production high performance model. This new
"Pack" is, significantly, the first time since the
revival that Abarth components will have been used on
any Fiat product while retaining the Fiat badging, in
this case the Abarth components are being added to the
distinctively positioned "TwinAir" line.
Available both for the
saloon and convertible versions, the dedicated new
TwinAir trim level combines the revolutionary
two-cylinder engine with a distinct look. Already today
one 500 out of three sold in Europe is equipped with the
TwinAir engine.
On the outside,
harking back to the look of the Fiat "competition"
series of the 1970s, the 500 TwinAir offers high impact
details such as special burnished "anthracite" trim, a
"piano black" (optional) roof and matt black wheels as
standard. inside, there is a "Total Black" environment
with sports seats and burnished dashboard fascia. It
comes with "Blue&Me - TomTom 2", the latest development
of the Blue&Me infotainment system that not only manages
telephone, navigation, media player and all information
required for driving by means of a colour touchscreen,
but "Live" technology as well, which updates - in real
time - maps, traffic conditions, local searches and
weather directly on the device.
Now to add a more
sporty and dynamic feel to the 500 TwinAir, range Fiat
has created the new "Pack by Abarth". The customisation
kit, developed in close collaboration with Abarth, is
characterised by the "Total Black" 16" special alloy
wheels with Abarth hub caps, side skirts, rear spoiler,
racing graphics on the bonnet and a sporty pedal unit.
The new "Pack by Abarth" will be available from October
as an option combined with the Pasodoble Red and
Crossover Black exterior colours.
