Abarth will be present at the 81st Geneva International Motor Show with a stunning stand where major world débuts mingle with tried and tested models to underscore – yet again – the brand’s unique position on the international motoring stage.

The Abarth 695 “Tributo Ferrari” is in the spotlight – on display for the first time with Abu Dhabi Blue and Titanium Grey livery – the fastest and highest performing road-going 500 ever, arising out of joint venture between Abarth and Ferrari, based on shared values that include a passion for performance, a racing soul, attention to detail and Italian style. Over the last two years, both brands have worked even more closely together, which has led to the development of the Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari, an exclusive car that on the one hand allows Abarth to expand its range, thus entering the luxury sports car segment, and on the other offers Ferrari customers a small, lively car for all mobility requirements, including practical and urban mobility. This numbered and limited special series has been marketed from July and has already notched up more than 1000 orders; more than half of which are from countries such as United Kingdom, France, Germany and Japan.

Bolstered by the success of the recent conversion kits (one Abarth 500 in three is converted using the official kit), Abarth is presenting the “esseesse” kits for the Abarth 500C again at Geneva. These are designed to improve their performance, handling and safety without having to renounce the car’s low emission and fuel consumption level. Visitors to the stand can admire an Abarth 500C “esseesse” that perfectly illustrates the spirit of Abarth tuning, encapsulating substance and unassuming good looks: in accordance with brand tradition and market requirements, Abarth cars are a mix of sporty yet elegant looks and safe driving experience yet always with sporty performance levels.

The Abarth 500C “esseesse” on the other hand, comes with an elegant Campovolo grey and Pista grey two-tone livery with a white chromatic liner, an element that divides and at the same time combines the two souls of the car: the elegance of a cabriolet above and the out-and-out sporty performance of the “esseesse” kit below. The 500C “esseesse” is exhibited with an original “Record Monza” exhaust silencer (dual mode with variable counterpressure) that enhances the engine sound above 4000 rpm and, as on the Punto Evo, with an Abarth Blue&MeTM MAP satellite navigation system with telemetrics. The prestigious setting of the Geneva International motor show also presents the occasion to make an advance announcement to the general public of the commercial launch, expected during the second quarter of 2011, of the manual five-speed gearbox on the Abarth 500C, combined with the 135 HP 1.4 T-Jet engine. This novelty permits an expansion of the Abarth 500C range, teaming the “competition” robotised gearbox with steering wheel paddle as standard with a manual gearbox which is specifically designed to appeal to those customers looking for a more direct relationship with the car and deem this solution to be the most suitable for their driving style.

There is also space for a Formula Aci-Csai-Abarth model that this year took part in a championship reserved for this single-seater made by Tatuus on a carbon fibre body, an FPT Racing 1.4 Fire Turbo engine developing 180 HP based on the engine used in the Abarth 500 Trophy and Sadev transmission with a sequential six-speed gearbox. This Aci Csai and Abarth single seater trainer is destined to hone the skills of talented young drivers until 2014, serving as their career launch pad towards the higher formulas. It is the heir to the Formula Azzurra car that introduced the Csai “Young Drivers Project” in 2005. In this sector too, Abarth boasts a long tradition, dating back to the 1970s and 1980s, with the Italia and Fiat Abarth formulas that made it possible for drivers of the calibre of Michele Alboreto, Riccardo Patrese and Alessandro Nannini to make their names.

The Geneva Motor Show is also an opportunity to take a look at the two pillars of the Abarth business model: roadgoing cars and the world of racing. To date, approximately 1800 Abarth 500C and nearly 1400 Abarth Punto Evo cars have been sold from the launch in July 2010: these numbers bear witness to the warm welcome extended to these two cars and will certainly contribute to the already excellent results recorded since the brand was relaunched. Suffice it to say that since 2007 the brand has enjoyed continual growth, as evidenced by sales of more than 28,000 for the Abarth Grande Punto and Abarth 500 models in addition to approximately 6000 performance kits designed for the two models. These sales successes have been partly made possible by the extraordinary network of dealers and official tuning shops, an organisation that is unique in its field and is extending to other international markets such as Israel, Rumania, Cyprus, Lebanon, Finland and Australia.

In addition to its sales successes, in 2010 Abarth achieved important results in sports activities as well, in both rallies and on the track in Italy and Europe, as the victory of Luca Rossetti and Matteo Chiarcossi aboard an Abarth Grande Punto S2000 in the 2010 European Rally Championship exemplifies. Rossetti also took the place of honour in the Italian Championship Drivers classification, in which his team-mate Giandomenico Basso, paired with Mitia Dotta, came in fourth. Again speaking of rallies, the first edition of the Abarth 500-Selenia Trophy was raced with the Abarth 500 in the R3T version in the limelight. The absolute winner was the expert Roberto Vescovi, but a large group of Under 25 drivers fought it out behind him, and they took the most prestigious awards. Not counting the large number of foreign drivers who raced in their national championships behind the wheel of the Abarth 500 R3T personally prepared by Abarth for the competitions.

Track activities have also met with great success. The tried and tested single-make Abarth 500 Selenia Italia and Abarth 500 Selenia Europe trophies, both won by Nicola Baldan, and Abarth 500 Selenia GB, won by Ben Winrow, have been joined this year by a championship reserved for single-seater Formula Aci-Csai-Abarth cars with the intention of allowing young drivers to show their mettle at the wheel of a experience-building single-seater car at an accessible price. Divided into 7 events consisting of 2 races each on Italy’s leading race tracks, more than 40 drivers competed in this championship. Many arriving from abroad and all very young, they made the competitions highly spectacular and hard-fought. For the record, the victory went to Frenchman Brandon Maisano, 17, member of the Ferrari Driver Academy, Ferrari’s breeding ground.

The stand at Geneva

The scene-stealing stand provides an ideal setting for the world debuts and current production cars.

The design idea that inspired the space is simplification: the architecture does not use a language to interpret the brand but acts as a substrate to enhance its values. Abarth and its world take centre stage and the brand exhibits itself to the public in all its pureness and simplicity, in its maximum essence.

The result is a great space with four areas of light under which the car is positioned: this is the stage, which plays out and narrates the world of Abarth.

A sheet of glass standing in the centre of the space supports the recognisable Abarth icon; a large LED display acting as the central element of the scenery forms an ideal backdrop for the cars.

The lines of the entire stand are symmetrical, straight and right-angled. The materials are similarly neutral and intangible: white structural elements and extensive use of transparency helps remove all the visual “noise” to focus attention on the content.

Technical drawings of Abarth engineering are ideally exhibited under a glass floor, visible to all, as used to happen with cars when their rear bonnet lids were partially raised.

Intangible elements such as light, sound and digital content are not accessories in this case but work in a holistic and synchronised manner, acting out different scenes to create an impression that the stand is always in movement. The neutral and minimal physical space is coloured and filled by scenes that recount the Abarth values in sequence: challenge, passion, ingenuity, Italian flair, participation, determination and authenticity.

Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari

The Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari is the exclusive Abarth 500 that confirms the consolidated links between Abarth and Ferrari – links based on many shared values that include a passion for performance, a racing soul, attention to detail and Italian style.

Abarth and Ferrari are two great names that have contributed, with conviction and dedication, to the legend of Italian racing that is known around the world. The men behind both marques followed very similar careers: first drivers, then tuners and finally heads of companies that command genuine respect in the world of motor racing. These extraordinary men were associated in the past: in 1953 for example, a unique Ferrari-Abarth was born, the Ferrari 166/250 MM Abarth. The car raced in various international trophies including the legendary Mille Miglia. The tie between the two companies has been reinforced above all by the exhaust systems designed by Abarth specifically for the cars built at Maranello: numerous exhaust systems have been made for various Ferrari models, some of which have won World Championship titles.

In recent years the two brands have initiated an even closer collaboration. The first result of this was the supply of a limited and numbered series of Abarth 500s, produced in 200 cars delivered in 2009 to Ferrari’s European dealers for use as “courtesy cars”. But the greatest collaboration – also confirmed by delivery to the drivers of the Ferrari team Alonso and Massa at the Monza Formula 1 Grand Prix – is the Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari, an exclusive car that on the one hand allows Abarth to expand its range, thus entering the luxury sports car segment, and on the other offers Ferrari customers a small, lively car for all mobility requirements, including practical urban mobility.

The new Abarth 695 “Tributo Ferrari” is distinguished by a number of stylistic changes, but more importantly by substantial modifications developed by Abarth and Ferrari engineers. The engine, for a start, is a 1.4 Turbo T-Jet 16v, tuned to develop more than 180 HP. This is combined with an MTA (Manual Transmission Automated) electromechanical gearbox with race-inspired steering wheel controls that makes full use of the engine’s performance by reducing gearshift times.

To improve performance, especially acceleration, the car is fitted with performance tyres on 17’’ alloy wheels featuring a design inspired by Ferrari wheels. The suspension and braking systems have also been strengthened to cope with the extra power: Brembo 305 mm disc brakes that can be dismantled with fixed four-piston caliper disc and special shock absorbers that guarantee performance in total safety. And of course there is a “Record Monza” variable back-pressure “dual mode” exhaust, designed to improve engine performance and sound over 3,000 rpm.

On the outside, the car is finished in the brand-new shades of Abu Dhabi Blue and Titanium Grey, (Scuderia Red and Modena Yellow are also available), with carbon fibre door mirrors and with details like the wheels and front air intakes in Racing Grey. This new Abarth 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 interiors are just as personalised and demonstrate the attention to detail and the sporting style that are common to both brands beginning with the “Abarth Corsa by Sabelt” seats, which are in grey leather on the Abu Dhabi Blue version and in natural leather on the Titanium Grey version, both with shell and seat base in carbon fibre. 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 black leather steering wheel is characterised by a tricolour hub and leather inserts on the Titanium Grey version and is fitted with MTA gearshift paddles, while the instrument panel is specially made by Jaeger, and inspired by typical Ferrari instrumentation. Attention to detail has also been given to the racing pedals, which are personalised with the Scorpion logo. The interior is embellished with other details too, like special kick plates and a plate bearing the vehicle series number.

Conversion kits for the Abarth 500C

The Abarth engineers have designed and developed “esseesse” kits for the Abarth 500C with the aim of creating a unique driving experience in terms of performance, handling, comfort and safety. As always, Abarth tuning is an indissoluble mix of performance and safety: any increase in the former is reflected by at least an equivalent rise in the latter.

For example, the “Koni” shock absorbers included in the kit guarantee the car the best roadholding in maximum safety, adapting it to a personal driving style. The compression and expansion of the shock absorbers also allows the car to roll more easily along the road, contributing to superior car handling under all road conditions.

At the same time, the kit gives the cars an injection of power, significantly improving performance and acceleration yet without affecting the CO2 levels. What’s more, if you select the sport function, standard on all Abarth cars, the new kit further enhances driving satisfaction. As is traditional with Abarth, the “esseesse” kit for the 500C is delivered to customers in a wooden case and is fitted exclusively by official Abarth tuning centres to ensure the highest standards of monitoring and safety.

“Esseesse” kit for the Abarth 500C

The kit for the Abarth 500C tunes the 1.4 16v Turbo T-Jet power unit to achieve a maximum power of 160 HP (117 kW) at 5750 rpm and in “Sport” mode, a maximum torque of 230 Nm at 3000 rpm with the performance of an out-and-out sports car: top speed is 209 km/h with acceleration from 0-100 km/h in just 7.6 seconds. As with the Punto Evo, the 500C maintains its Euro 5 compliance even once the kit has been installed, with CO2 emissions equal to 151 g/km.

Safety is always the focus with an Abarth tuning, as evidenced by the upgrading of the braking system and adjusted ride: the “esseesse” kit for the 500C fits perforated, ventilated front disc brakes (diameter 284 mm x 22 mm), perforated rear disc brakes (diameter 240 mm x 11 mm), high performance front brake pads, front and rear Koni shock absorbers with FSD valve, specific red springs set lower than those on the original car, Abarth “esseesse” 7” x 17” ET35 alloy wheels painted white or titanium, combined with 205/40 ZR17 tyres.

The conversion kit for the Abarth 500C also includes four sensors to record correct tyre pressure, a special “powered by BMC” air cleaner and “esseesse” badges for the engine cover and tailgate.

Aci Csai Abarth Formula

It is the new single seater destined to hone the skills of talented young drivers up to 2014, serving as their career launch pad towards the higher formulas. The Aci Csai Abarth is the heir to the Formula Azzurra car that introduced the Csai “Young Drivers Project” in 2005. In this sector too, Abarth boasts a long tradition, dating back to the 1970s and 1980s, with the Italia and Fiat Abarth formulas that made it possible for drivers of the calibre of Michele Alboreto, Riccardo Patrese and Alessandro Nannini to make their names.

The new single seater accurately fulfils the project’s design objectives. This is thanks to the excellent work of Abarth, FPT – Fiat Powertrain Technologies, Tatuus and Aci Csai. The design specification was to create a formula incorporating a high standard of safety at a genuinely accessible cost that could be guaranteed for a number of years, yet with sufficiently advanced technical qualities to serve as a real test bed for young talent on the Italian racing scene.

The new Aci Csai Abarth single seater trainer is built by Tatuus and features a carbon fibre body, an FPT Racing 1.4 Fire Turbo engine developing 180 HP (based on the engine used in the Abarth 500 Trophy), and Sadev transmission with a sequential six-speed gearbox.

The 1.4 Turbo engine is produced by the Racing division of FPT – Fiat Powertrain Technologies, and features a brand new dry sump lubrication system with a structural aluminium sump specially developed for use in Formula Aci Csai Abarth. The four in-line turbocharged engine is capable of delivering maximum power of 180 HP at 5500 rpm and develops an impressive peak torque of 250 Nm at 3500 rpm. Noteworthy specifications of this exclusive engine include a two-stage oil scavenging pump and a racing flywheel with sintered twin plate clutch.

2011 sporting programmes

The strong international flavour that the Abarth promotional trophies have displayed since the first editions led Abarth to expand Formula Aci/Csai Abarth and Trofeo Abarth 500 Selenia championships to abroad.

During the first season, the Formula Aci/csai Abarth met with great success with the large-scale participation of Italian and foreign drivers, all very young, attracted by the low running costs and top quality cars.

Special terms and conditions are also planned for the 2001 season to further promote the already healthy levels of youngsters taking part in both series with the aim of identifying world motorsport champions of the future. Important in this context is our cooperation with the Ferrari Driver Academy, which had the satisfaction of seeing one of its own drivers win this year (the 17-year-old Brandon Maisano) in the Formula Aci-Csai Abarth.

The Formula Aci-Csai Abarth Italian Championship will be structured around seven appointments including two races each, one of which will be abroad on the Belgian Spa Francorchamps circuit. The Trofeo Abarth 500 will include six events, all at the same time as the Formula Abarth, except for the foreign race.

The Formula Abarth European Series and Trofeo Abarth 500 Europe will also be raced during the course of seven and six events respectively on the main European circuits.

Two national championships will also be organised for the Trofeo Abarth 500: a UK Trofeo, which has already been held this year, and a Scandinavian event, with races in Sweden and Denmark.

The Trofeo Abarth 500 continues its rally career, featuring the Abarth 500 approved for category R3T. The 2011 will have an international flavour and include 7 races: 3 in Italy, 2 in France and 2 in Switzerland. As in 2010, the major prizes will be reserved for the youngest drivers.

Aci Csai Abarth Formula

The single-seater car powered by a 1400 cc turbocharged Abarth engine tuned by FPT showed its mettle during the course of the 2010 season and is about to launch into a high-octane 2001 season in the new international championships.

The car’s suitability for developing skills is emphasised by the choice of circuits over which the drivers will contend in 2011. Racing starts in Europe on 8 May in Valencia, Spain and concludes in Monza on 16 October, including races at Misano Adriatico (5 June), Spa Francorchamps in Belgium (7 August), at Zeltweg in Austria (27 August) and at Mugello (2 October).

The Italian championship starts on 17 April at Vallelunga and will finish in Monza on 16 October, after races on 22 May at Varano de’ Melegari, Misano Adriatico (5 June), Imola (17 July), Spa Francorchamps (7 August), and Mugello (2 October).

To make it easier for drivers to take part in both the Italian and continental championship, four races will count towards both trophies: Misano, Spa, Mugello and Monza. This means that drivers who wish to race in both series will be able to achieve this by taking part in all 10 events.

Trofeo Abarth 500

The 2011 championship will go into its third season with a car, the Abarth 500 Assetto Corse, which has proved itself a great and highly spectacular performer.

New and attractive formulas will be introduced to encourage the youngest drivers to take part in the Italian and European trophy in 2011. They will be able to gain access to the competitions at accessible prices due to the cooperation of Trofeo sponsors and the network of Abarth tuning shops. This will allow a large number of potential champions to put themselves to the test in a highly competitive championship.

As with the Formula Aci/Csai Abarth, the Trofeo Abarth 500 is also designed to allow simultaneous participation in national and continental series. Anyone who wishes to take part in both championships can do so by entering all nine races.

As with past editions, major prizes are available, particularly for the youngest drivers. In 2010, the Under 18 category was won by Eric Scalvini whose prize was a Formula Aci-Csai Abarth single-seater to be used in the 2011 championship.

So far the Trofeo Abarth 500 has met with enthusiasm from the youngest drivers, who can take part from their 16th birthday after completing a special Aci-Csai course.

Abroad, the Abarth 500 Assetto Corse is meeting with great success, paving the way for more national championships. After the success of the UK championship, which will also be repeated in 2011, now comes the turn of the Scandinavian countries, which will hold a championship structured over six events involving two races each.

Trofeo Abarth 500 Rally

This year’s one make championship includes 7 races: 3 in Italy, 2 in France and 2 in Switzerland. The opening race will be the 1000 Miglia Rally (15-16 April). Then the trophy will move to Switzerland with the Criterium Jurassien (29-30 April) and the Rally du Chablais (27-28 May), followed by the Appennino Reggiano Rally (25-26 June) – then on to France with the Rallye Mont Blanc – Morzine (2-3 September), and back to Italy with the Sanremo Rally (23-24 September). The event will close in France with the Rallye d’Antibes (15-16 October).

Calendars

Formula Abarth European Series

8 May Valencia (Spain)

5 June Misano (Italy)

7 August Spa Francorchamps (Belgium)

27 August A1 Ring Zeltweg (Austria)

11 September Hockenheim (Germany)

2 October Mugello (Italy)

16 October Monza (Italy)

Formula Aci/Csai Abarth Italy

17 April Vallelunga

22 May Varano de’ Melegari

5 June Misano

17 July Imola

7 August Spa Francorchamps (Belgium)

2 October Mugello

16 October Monza

Trofeo Abarth 500 Europe

8 May Valencia (Spain)

5 June Misano (Italy)

7 August Spa Francorchamps (Belgium)

11 September Hockenheim (Germany)

2 October Mugello (Italy)

16 October Monza (Italy)

Trofeo Abarth 500 Italy

17 April Vallelunga

22 May Varano de’ Melegari

5 June Misano

17 July Imola

2 October Mugello

16 October Monza

Trofeo Abarth 500 GB

25 April Oulton Park

26 June Snetterton

24 July Brands Hatch GP

7 August Spa Francorchamps

4 September Brands Hatch Indy

29 October Donnington

Trofeo Abarth 500 Scandinavia

15 May Anderstorp

4 June Mantorp Park

24 July Falkenberg

7 August Anderstorp

20 August Knustorp

6th event to be decided

Trofeo Abarth 500 Rally

15-16 April 1000 Miglia Rally

29-30 April Criterium Jurassien (CH)

27-28 May Rally du Chablais (CH)

25-26 June Appennino Reggiano Rally

2-3 September Mont Blanc Rally – Morzine (France)

23-24 September Sanremo Rally

15-16 October Rallye d’Antibes (France)

Formula Aci-Csai-Abarth technical data sheet

Chassis
•TATUUS FA010 composite monocoque in FIA F.3 type-approved carbon

Safety structure
•Front crashbox in FIA F.3 approved carbon composite, FIA F.3 approved steering column, FIA F.3 approved roll bar, FIA CORTEX wheel retaining cables, 6-point OMP seat belts compatible with HANS systems; OMP electric extinguisher; FIA regulation removable seat

Body
•Carbon fibre

Wings
•Front wing with adjustable mainplane and flaps; 3-part rear wing with adjustments

Engine
•FPT 414TF 1400 cc turbo – 180 HP with structural dry sump in aluminium; Electronics: MAGNETI MARELLI ECU and data acquisition

Instruments
•AIM, dashboard built into steering wheel

Transmission
•SADEV, sequential 6-speed; LSD differential

Front suspension
•Double superimposed wishbones with push-rod, single shock absorber, camber and toe-in geometry adjustment

Rear suspension
•Double superimposed wishbones with push-rod, double shock absorber, camber, toe-in, roll centre and anti-squat geometry adjustment

Shock absorbers
•ORAM, adjustable bump and rebound

Springs
•Eibach 36 mm x 100 mm

Brakes
•AP, 4 piston callipers, ventilated steel discs – FERODO brake pads

Tank
•PREMIER, FIA FT3 45 l ethanol compatible

Wheel rims
•ATS aluminium rims Front 9×13″ – Rear 10.5×13″ with central fastening

Tyres
•Kumho Front 180/550R13 – Rear 240/570R13

Dimensions
•Wheelbase: 2650 mm, Front track: 1490 mm, Rear track: 1455 mm

Weight
•550 kg including driver.

Abarth 500 Assetto Corse technical data sheet

Engine
• 4 cylinders in line, 4 valves per cylinder, 1368 cm3
• 190 HP (140 kW) at 6500 rpm.
• Peak torque 300 Nm at 3000 rpm.
• Garrett GT 1446 fixed geometry turbocharger.
• Special reinforced water and air couplings.

Transmission
• M32 6-speed gearbox

Suspension
• Front: MacPherson struts, special racing shock absorbers with coaxial springs with ring nuts to adjust car height.
• Rear: interconnecting links, special racing shock absorbers with springs with ring nuts to adjust car height and camber.

Steering
• Electric power steering with racing calibration.

Brakes
• Brembo radial front calliper with four M4X40 pistons.
• Perforated ventilated front brake discs, diam. 305 mm x 28 mm.
• Rear callipers with 36 mm diameter piston
• 264 mm x 11 mm rear brake discs.
• High performance racing brake pads.

Bodywork
• Rear spoiler and front bumper splitter.

Chassis
• Reinforcement cage structure welded to and incorporated in body shell.
• Stripped interior, Sabelt Racing safety outfit.
• Driver’s seat optimised and moved towards the centre of the car.

Wheels
• Painted cast aluminium 7″ x 17″ wheels.
• 205/50 ZR17 tyres.

Weight
• 940 kg

Abarth 500 R3T technical data sheet

Engine
• 4 cylinders in line, turbocharged spark ignition Otto cycle engine, 4 valves per cylinder, 1368 cm3

Power
• approx 180 HP (132 kW) at 5500 rpm

Peak torque
• 300 Nm at 3000 rpm
• Garrett GT1446 fixed geometry turbocharger, 29 mm dia intake restrictor

Transmission
• 6-speed gearbox, front meshing with sequential control
• Shim type self-locking differential
• 184 mm dia metal-ceramic twin plate clutch

Suspension
• Front: MacPherson – Rear interconnected arms
special racing shock absorbers, coaxial springs with ring nut for adjusting vehicle height. Camber adjustable by means of shims

Steering
• Electric power steering with racing calibration

Brakes
• Brembo radial front calliper with four M4X40 pistons
• Ventilated Brembo front brake disc, 330 mm dia x 28 mm
• Rear callipers with 38-mm pistons;
• Solid rear brake disc, dia 251 mm x 10 mm
• Racing brake pads
• Hydraulic handbrake
• Brakeforce distributor and rear load proportioning valve to optimise car behaviour

Body
• Car dimensions: length 3657 mm, width 1627 mm, wheelbase 2300 mm

Wheels
• OZ 7″x17″ asphalt rim
• BF Goodrich 200/50-17 tyres

Weight
•1080 kg minimum regulation weight plus equipment