IAB Report - Fiat India confirms local assembly for Abarth, Abarth 500 to launch in H2, 2014

14/02/2014 - 14:21 Fiat Abarth 500, Fiat Karthik H

The Fiat 500 Abarth shown at the Auto Expo last week, would be launched in India in the second half of the year.

Fiat 500 Abarth front three quarters at Auto Expo 2014 — The Fiat 500 Abarth was showcased at the Auto Expo last week.

While Fiat India has confirmed to IAB that initially, the Abarth 500 would be a CBU, it did not specify if local assembly for the Abarth 500 is planned, though it said "Abarth will be assembled" with kits coming from Europe. A locally assembled vehicle attracts a considerably lower tariff compared to a CBU, which can be passed on to the customer through price adjustment.

The Abarth 500 is a thoroughly revised version of the Fiat 500, which isn't available for sale in India anymore.

Fiat 500 Abarth gear lever at Auto Expo 2014 — Fiat has confirmed its launch for the second half of 2014.

The Abarth 500 is powered by a four-cylinder 1.4-liter T-JET engine, the one that also powers the Linea T-JET, which can deliver anywhere between 135-140 hp, depending on the calibration. The engine produces a peak torque of 206 Nm, enabling the Abarth 500 to accelerate from 0-100 kph in 7.9 seconds, with a top speed of 205 kph.

Fiat 500 Abarth front seats at Auto Expo 2014 — The Abarth 500 uses the same 1.4-liter T-JET engine found in the Fiat Linea.

Compared to the regular Fiat 500, the Abarth version gets gas discharge headlights, sunroof, cross drilled brake discs on all four wheels, sports seats, turbo-boost gauge, 7 airbags, lowered suspension with uprated springs, 17-inch alloy wheels, twin exhausts, ABS, EBD and hydraulic brake assistance, apart from spoils such as a Hi-fi music system.