2012 Fiat 500 Abarth makes full U.S. debut, gets 1.4 MultiAir Turbo

Just a couple hours ago before the curtains open on the press days of the 2011 LA Auto Show, Fiat has dropped the official photos and details of the new 500 Abarth, which arrives to the United states with racing traditions that have made it a success in Europe.

“Bringing the 2012 Fiat 500 Abarth to the U.S. enables us to reach out to driving enthusiasts who want Italian performance at an attainable price,” said Olivier Francois, Head of FIAT Brand and Chief Marketing Officer — Chrysler Group LLC. “With its lightweight, track-tuned handling and purpose-built design, the Fiat 500 Abarth brings to life the legendary racing heritage of the brand and becomes the Italian high-performance car for everyday driving.”

Designed for track-day enthusiasts, the 2012 Fiat 500 Abarth is powered by a new 1.4 liter MultiAir Turbo engine that pushes up to 160-hp. Quite some oomph for a small car.

Abarth has also upgraded the suspension and brake system to keep up with the extra power.

Prices will be announced closer to launch date.

– By: Omar Rana