Fiat 500 Abarth to be launched at Rs 22-24 lakh

The Abarth brand is one of the most highly anticipated launches of the year and as Fiat begins preparations to launch its flagship brand in India, details about pricing have slowly started to trickle in. The Fiat 500 Abarth will be the first Abarth badged car to be launched in the country later this year and is all set to be priced at a mouth watering Rs 22-24 lakh. Sources indicate a launch window around October or November, which would also coincide during the Indian festive season.

The Fiat 500 Abarth is essentially the tuned, sportier version of the regular Fiat 500. The Fiat 500 Abarth is equipped with a 1.4-litre, turbocharged, 4-cylinder petrol engine making either 137PS or 163PS depending on the state of tune that the customer selects. Although engine options that Fiat will bring to India and not confirmed, we expect the standard car to be powered by the 137PS option and the higher spec ‘Essess’ model to get the more powerful 163PS state of tune. The 2014 Geneva Auto Show also saw an even more powerful 193PS Fiat 500 Abarth ‘Bipostso’ unveiled to the world but that version is unlikely to come to India anytime soon.

The Fiat 500 Abarth features the same retro modern interior that the Fiat 500 became so highly acclaimed for in 2008 when it was originally launched. The 500 Abarth will feature sportier seats, a sporty leather wrapped steering wheel and an assortment of Abarth badges that replace the Fiat badges everywhere on the car. The 500 Abarth comes with a set of sporty 17-inch alloy wheels giving the car an incredibly well planted look. The Fiat 500 Abarth, just like its regular version comes loaded with an assortment of customisable options like a host of decals and racing stripes to a never ending wheel and interior trim options.

The Fiat 500 Abarth, harking back to the glorious racing heritage that the brand will bring to India will certainly be well received if priced between Rs 22-24 lakh. Expect many enthusiasts to jump at the opportunity to own a no-nonsense hot hatch at that price point. With competition like the Mercedes-Benz A-Class, the BMW 1 Series and of course, the Mini Cooper range to deal with, Fiat needs to get the Abarth experience spot on. With 105 new dealers in 11 months and 45 more planned by the end of the year and three more launches planned for 2014, Fiat India seems to be showing all the right signs for the future.