As usual, the rest of the magazine makes a fascinating read as Lamborghini celebrates its 50th anniversary Classic & Sports Car focuses on a car many consider the world’s first supercar – the Miura. For years a debate raged over whether the Miura’s beautiful shape should be attributed to Giorgetto Giugiaro or Marcello Gandini, C&SC settle the argument once and for all with the definitive story and get behind the wheel of the legendary Lambo to confirm just what all the fuss is about, before talking to one lucky owner about driving the car day-to-day. And if you are, or could be, lucky enough to buy your own, they talk to an expert about how to choose a good one.

If that wasn’t enough for the ‘Lambo’ fans they take a look at another of the Raging Bull’s landmark models – the Countach. When Ken Imhoff’s eyes fell on the flagship Lamborghini he knew he had to have one, but could never afford it. So began his 17-year project to build his own. C&SC follows the story from Imhoff taking measurements from the real thing in a showroom to releasing the finished article from the celler of his house, with the help of a digger.

Thankfully, Mick Walsh didn’t have to build his dream car – Mercedes-Benz had already done that for him – and he jets off to the Nürburgring to drive the fabulous 300SLR. Walsh retraces the steps of Stirling Moss and Jaun Manuel Fangio at 1955’s ADAC Eifelrennen, before taking a look in detail at what makes the Benz so special.

And there are the regular articles in the form of a buyer’s guide for the cheapest Ferrari – the Mondial – reports from Our Classics, letters, art, columns, market news and historic motor sport.

The June issue officially hits UK shops on Thursday 2nd May

Battersea Power Station in London, the largest brick building in Europe, was the venue for a recent motoring event as Shell prepared to launch their New range of fuels; Shell V-Power Nitro+. As you would expect; Ferrari featured heavily on the day with Formula One and road cars alongside celebrities including ex-F1 and now GT driver Giancarlo Fisichella and TV’s Jake Humphrey. Spotted amongst the exotic line-up was something ‘small but wicked’ in the shape of an Abarth 595 Turismo or two, Shell had selected these as the 160bhp Abarth perfectly demonstrates the New Shell V-Power Nitro+ fuel and drivers were invited to put them through their paces.

As a new day dawns at Battersea Power Station in London, Shell prepares to launch Shell V-Power Nitro+ Unleaded and Diesel in the UK.

Jake Humphrey commented to Road Magazine: “I’ve spent the last four years travelling the world with the F1 circuit and have seen first-hand how Shell share with Ferrari the passion for performance in motor sport. They’ve competed in over 500 races together and that is a testament to the fuels Shell produce. It’s a thrill to know that when I fill up with Shell V-Power Nitro+ I will experience the same technology that is developed for Ferrari on the track, in my own car.”

It looks like the event was a big success and everyone enjoyed the day – particularly those who had the chance to try an Abarth for the first time!

Shell challenged several UK drivers, including Jake Humphrey, to test their driving abilities and improve their performance with a series of exercises designed with the support of Ferrari Drivers Giancarlo Fisichella, Gimmi Bruni and Davide Rigon.

If you would like to try an Abarth 595 Turismo you can find your local Abarth dealership HERE or book a test drive HERE

Developed over the last 27 years, the Italian Car Day has become established as the UK’s premier event for owners and admirers of Italian cars. Brooklands Museum is once again the venue, this historic location providing visitors with the opportunity to see and hear selected cars being demonstrated on the demanding hillclimb and the circuit at the adjacent Mercedes-Benz World. Visitors arriving in any Italian car, be it a Fiat or a Ferrari, will have the opportunity to park in the areas set aside for the appropriate marques, car clubs and register displays.

One of the biggest events of the year at Brooklands celebrating the UK’s obsession with all things Italian. This will be Auto Italia’s 27th Spring gathering – the UK’s first and finest all-Italian car event. Expect the site to be bursting with all types of Italian cars (and motorbikes) with action on the Mercedes-Benz World circuit and Test Hill. Abarth Uk will have a stunning display including cars from their range of Abarth 500, Abarth 595 & Abarth Punto EVO Supersport. This year there will be just as much to see and do, including many trade and club stands so come early, bring your camera and plan the whole day at Brooklands!

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The programme for the day is as follows:
08.30 Gates open
10.00 Museum displays and aircraft open
11.00 MBWorld Track Drivers’ briefing
12.00-1300 MBWorld Track demos
13.00 Silver Arrows demo at MBWorld
14.00 Test Hill Drivers’ briefing
14.45-15.30 Test Hill
17.00 Event closed

Advance tickets are on sale from http://www.brooklandsmuseumshop.com:
Adults £12
Seniors/ Students £11
Children £5
Families (two adults and up to 3 children aged 5-16) £32
Brooklands Trust Members & LBPT members £2 (tickets for members are available from the Museum Shop in person or by telephoning 01932 857381 ext 268)

Ticket prices on the day will be:
Adults £15
Seniors/ Students £14
Children £6
Families (two adults and up to 3 children aged 5-16) £37
Brooklands Trust Members & LBPT members £5

Italian cars should enter the Museum site via the Campbell Gate off Brooklands Road (with a fast access lane for ticket holders).  Parking for visitors in non-Italian cars will be in The Heights off Wellington Way – please follow event signage.

Contact: Brooklands Museum  events@brooklandsmuseum.com  01932 857381

Auto Italia magazine

Abarth continues to be one of the most desirable cars to own and it is now even easier to own an Abarth 500, Abarth 500c, Abarth 595 Turismo, Abarth 595 Competizione, Abarth Punto Evo or the stunning Abarth Punto Evo Supersport with the highly competitive price list recently released by Abarth UK.

As an example; with the new £1999 deposit a new Abarth 500 could be yours from as little as £199 per month – that’s a lot of style and performance at an affordable price and with a fabulous range of options, colours and tuning accessories you will be spoilt for choice! Click here to go to the Abarth car configurator or here to book your test drive. If you have never driven an Abarth you’re in for a treat – you really have to try one to really appreciate the car; and, how it makes you feel when you are behind the wheel of one of these iconic motor cars… it is almost impossible to drive an Abarth without smiling! To find your nearest Abarth dealership please click here. Please view or download the new Abarth price list here

Products offered for sale may differ from those described or illustrated in this brochure due to changes in specifications, components or place of manufacture. The contents of this brochure are therefore to be treated as representations as to the current availability of products as described, not as to products actually offered for sale. Abarth UK reserves the right to make changes at any time, without notice, to prices, colours, materials, equipment, specifications and models and also to discontinue models.Variations in product specification do occur from time to time – please check the exact specification with the dealer at the time of order. Ref:0413Q22013

Abarth UK is a trading style of Fiat Group Automobiles UK Ltd. Fiat House, 240 Bath Road, Slough, Berkshire SL1 4DX

Abarth USA have produced some superb Abarth advertising and they don’t disappoint with their new commercial starring Catrinel Menghia to promote the introduction of the Abarth 500c ‘across the pond’. With the current weather in the UK the sight of a sun-kissed beach is torture but we couldn’t resist the temptation… the Abarth 500c is equally tempting with the best of style, performance and ‘open top’ motoring. If you’re tempted why not head to your local Abarth dealer this Easter weekend and take a test drive – we can’t make any promises about the weather but we’re certain you’ll love the drive.

Meet the Abarth 500C…

As with the Abarth 500 hatchback, the Abarth 500C utilizes the T-jet 1.4 16v Turbo engine only this time with power increased to an impressive 140 bhp whilst still delivering that distinctive Abarth theme tune. However the cognoscenti will spot subtle refinements; the lengthened dynamic spoiler emphasises the Abarth 500C’s sporting heritage, as well as ensuring a more effective air flow distribution and precision aerodynamics minimise turbulence when driving with the hood down. With hood up, the Abarth 500C grants you the sort of performance a hard-top performance car would be proud of. Yes, we’re talking top of the class.

The Turbo T-Jet engine delivers 140 bhp and a peak torque of 206 Nm at 2000 rpm in Sport mode. This tried and tested 4-cylinder, 16 valve, 1368 cc unit (supercharged by a fixed geometry IHI RHF3-P turbocharger) is capable of powering the Abarth 500C along at a top speed 205 km/h (128 mph), with acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h (0-62 mph), in just 8.1 seconds: it’s one of the best-performing convertible/ cabriolet in its class. The 5-speed gearbox is the advanced electro-hydraulic Abarth Competizione unit with paddle-shift controls for the ultimate experience of performance driving. Better still, fuel consumption is low – just 43.5 mpg in the combined cycle – and meets with the stringent Euro5 emission standards.

The super stylish Abarth 500C oozes sportiness and innovation, all the way to twin chromed tailpipes? No problem. You also want practicality and versatility? Hey, this is Abarth – our design credentials mean we excel at making the ordinary; extraordinary. The Abarth 500C range features original bi-colour and single-colour body configurations, with a choice of Sports fabric and a variety of leather trimmed interiors plus contrasting hood and spoiler combinations. As standard the Abarth 500C comes equipped with 16” alloy wheels and 195/45 R16 84V tyres, with the option of upgrading to a choice of dramatic 17” alloys just make the Abarth 500C all the more individual.

Designed to the same levels of safety as its hatchback counterpart, the Abarth 500C is one of the safest cars in the Small Sports Cabrio segment. There’s a class-leading seven airbags as standard including one for the driver’s knees. Beyond the now classic ABS with EBD (Electronic Brake Distribution) and other sophisticated braking features, the Abarth 500C provides TTC Torque Transfer Control as standard, for outstanding, dynamic behaviour on more demanding roads. Added to this you will find Xenon headlights – with washers – delivering three times the light of traditional halogens. Just another innovation to keep you safe…

The inside story of this modern classic is as exciting as the outside, and the Abarth passion for style shows in every detail. The wraparound bucket seats have built-in head restraints, and with sculpted sports padding and lateral support for the more control. The dash is sporty without compromising functionality and the leather steering wheel provides superior grip and comfort. The sports pedals, driver’s footrest, height adjustable steering wheel and Competizione gearbox with gearshift paddles all enhance the sublime look and feel of a car that simply wants you to love motoring. Go drive!

To enhance the pleasure of driving the Abarth 500C comes with a powerful entertainment system featuring radio/CD/MP3-player and Blue&Me hands-free system with voice activation and steering wheel controls, and there are four 40W speakers, two 30W tweeters and a digital file reader with USB port so that you can play your favourite sounds in style. There are parking sensors to help in tight spots; manual climate control with pollen filter for hotter days or to assist in demisting without lowering the top; a turbo pressure gauge; dualdrive electric power steering with ‘sport’ button. The electric hood opens elegantly, with impressive technical solutions such as the glass rear window and high-level third brake light in the spoiler. Converted? You will be.

Abarth 500c Specification

ENGINE

• 4 cylinders in line, 4 valves per cylinder, 1368 cm3.

• Power output: 140 bhp (103 kw) at 5000 rpm

• Maximum torque 206 nm at 2000 rpm in “sport mode”

• Turbocharger ihi rhf3-p, fixed nozzle turbine

TRANSMISSION

• 5-speed c510 mta gearbox “abarth competition”

• Steering wheel paddle shift controls

SUSPENSION

• Front: mc pherson with anti roll bar

• Rear: twist axle with interconnected wheels and anti roll bar

STEERING

• Electrically assisted power steering with “sport mode”

BRAKES

• Front floating brake calliper zph4.1.2 type, with piston ø 54mm

• Front autoventilated brake disk ø 284mm x 22mm

• Rear floating brake calliper cii 34 type, with piston ø 34mm

• Rear brake disk ø 240mm x 11mm

• TTC – torque transfer control

WHEELS

• Standard: alloy wheels 6,5” x 16” with tyres 195/45 r16

• Optional: alloy wheels 7” x 17” with tyres 205/40 r17

ENVIRONMENTAL LEVEL

• Complies with euro 5 cee-f5 standard

CO2 EMISSIONS

• 151 G/KM CO2

FUEL CONSUMPTION

• Combined cycle: 43.5 mpg (6.5 l/100km)

• Extra-urban cycle: 52.3 mpg (5.4 l/100km)

• Urban cycle: 33.2 mpg (8.4 l/100km)

PLEASE NOTE: Fuel consumption figures are obtained during dynamometer testing for exhaust emissions in accordance with EC directives/regulations and may not be representative of real-life driving conditions. Factors such as driving style, weather and road conditions may also have a significant effect on fuel consumption.

PERFORMANCE

• Max speed: 128 mph (205 km/h)

• Acceleration: 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph), 8.1 sec

HOOD

• Electric open/close system

• Glass rear windows

Following the huge success of Make It Your Race 2012 when James Brazier got through to the final and made his dream of racing come true when he drove a race prepared Abarth 500 Assetto Corse in the Abarth Trophy. James entered last year along with thousands of aspiring racing drivers and completed all the required elements to get through to the racing ‘boot camp’ before being selected as the driver who would carry the UK flag in the race against participants from across Europe. If you want to join the Abarth MIYR Team go HERE

How Make It Your Race 2013 powered by Abarth works…

At the centre of Make It Your Race 2013 powered by Abarth there are several challenge categories connected with the interaction with Social Networks and the 4 race profiles: Driver, Storyteller, Paddock Girl and Designer. For each single challenge, a certain score and a badge are assigned, the sharing of which will earn you additional bonus points. Points can also be accumulated through the voting of the community.

The single vote will be worth three points and may occur once a day. To promote yourself and gain more points from the voting, you’ll have the chance to share your personal page and all unlocked badges on Social Networks. Moreover, according to the number of overcome challenges, you’ll get the chance to unlock special badges. At the end of the “challenge” period, the protagonists of the final selections will be chosen among all users to enter the Talent Show.

Enter now and start collecting badges, votes and points – make sure you visit your local Abarth Dealer and take an Abarth test drive! Stay connected with the Abarth on Facebook and challenge yourself to be the best on MIYR. Take on the challenges that you will find along your journey and bring the Abarth style to your everyday life. Abarth – a world of performance since 1949.

Seeing the Abarth 500 on a race track is always exciting but to see Scuderia Ferrari F1 drivers, Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa, testing the Abarth 500C prior to it’s North American debut at the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show is very special and with the 2013 Formula One World Championship starting this weekend in Australia what better time to share this video…

Fernando Alonso, the Spanish Scuderia Ferrari Formula One driver, is a two-time F1 World Champion (when he drove for Renault) that started karting at an incredibly early age – going on to be world karting champion in 1996. His Formula One debut in 2001 was with Minardi before he moved to Renault where he won the Formula One World Driver’s Championship title two years running in 2005 and 2006. He has also raced for McLaren and went back to drive for Renault before joining Scuderia Ferrari in 2010 – finishing 2nd in the F1 World Championship twice. Interesting fact - Alonso won his first race for Ferrari; the fifth man to win on his debut for Ferrari after Juan Manuel Fangio in 1956, Mario Andretti in 1971, Nigel Mansell in 1989, and Kimi Räikkönen (Kimi tested an Abarth Punto rally car prior to entring the WRC) in 2007 who Alonso replaced.

Brazilian, Felipe Massa, drives for Scuderia Ferrari with Alonso. Massa started his racing career as many drivers do in karts; winning championships at home before moving to Italy to race in and win the Italian and European Formula Renault Championship in 2000 before moving on to win the Euro Formula 3000 championship. Massa first drove in Formula One for Sauber before joining Ferrari. Career highlights include, in 2006, winning his home Grand Prix becoming the first Brazilian since Ayrton Senna to win the Brazilian Grand Prix and finishing second in the 2008 Formula One Driver’s World Championship after a title battle with Lewis Hamilton in his McLaren which came down to a nail-biting last corner drama.

Scuderia Ferrari is the racing team of Ferrari. The team was founded by Enzo Ferrari, initially racing Alfa Romeo cars, until, in 1947, Ferrari started building their own cars. It is the oldest surviving team in Grand Prix and Formula 1 racing having competed since 1932 with 15 Drivers’ World Championships and 16 Constructors’ World Championships. Famous Ferrari drivers include (to name only a few) Alberto Ascari, Juan Manuel Fangio, Mike Hawthorn, Phil Hill, John Surtees, Niki Lauda, Jody Scheckter, Michael Schumacher and Kimi Räikkönen – all have won Drivers World Championships driving for the famous red Ferrari team. Interesting fact: The Ferrari Formula One team carrried no ‘commercial’ sponsorship until 1977 when the cars began to feature the logo of the Fiat group which had owned Ferrari since 1969. ’Scuderia’ is Italian for a stable reserved for race horses and the ‘prancing horse’ logo was the symbol on Italian World War I ace Francesco Baracca’s fighter plane – becoming the logo of Ferrari after the fallen ace’s parents, good friends with Enzo Ferrari, asked him to continue his tradition of sportsmanship, gallantry and boldness.

Of course the recent connection with Ferrari was the Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari limited edition but the connection goes much further back in automotive history with the unique Ferrari 166 MM/53 Abarth Spyder chassis number 0262M. It was completed on 14th March 1953 – 60 years to the day today! The newly designed Ferrari 166 MM, powered by a two litre engine, was the car to have if you wanted to compete and win against Alfa Romeo, Lancia and Fiat. In 1953 Scuderia Guastalla’s driver Giulio Musitella took delivery of a 166 MM (s/n 0262M) fitted with a Vignale body. Not satisfied with the weight of his new racer, Musitella commisioned Carlo Abarth to design and fit a new body. Abarth was best known for his exhaust systems and his unconventional approach but Cisitalia and Abarth’s racing successes proved that Carlo was well up to the task. The Abarth approach to lightening the 166 MM was far from conventional. He not only shaved off a lot of weight, but also constructed a body ideally suited for racing. He fitted the chassis with removable aluminium body panels bolted together on a support frame. All body panels were hand-beaten by Giuseppe Manera – In total the body and frame weighed only 55kg and with it’s distinctive single headlight the Abarth bodied Ferrari 166MM is surely one the most uniquely bodied Ferrari ever. Before disappearing for many years, the car was raced during the 1953 and 1954 season. It finished 21st overall with a class win at the 1953 Targa Florio driven by Giulio Musitelli. Musitelli was the cars driver for most of its racing career. In July of 1953 the car was entered in 10 Hours of Notturne di Messina where it was driven by Eugenio Castellotti and Musitelli to victory. During the 1954 Rio di Janerio Grand Prix, Musitelli finished in an impressive second place finish. At the 1954 Mille Miglia, the car was driven by Musitelli and Edoardo Drago and wearing number 608. Sadly, the car failed to finish the race. Racing cars rarely stay unmodified and the Abarth body was removed and a Scaglietti body fitted and after an unsuccessful outing in the 1954 Mille Miglia and a few races in the USA the car disappeared. Nearly fifty years later the Scaglietti bodied Ferrari resurfaced and was painstakingly restored to its original Abarth shape. Sold by RM Auctions it netted nearly $850,000 including buyers premium… maybe the most expensive Abarth ever?

Sebring is, without doubt, one of the iconic venues on the motor racing calendar – legends are made and legends race there… and Abarth is very much a part of it’s racing history and with the Sebring 12 Hour race this weekend we thought we would bring you a little piece of that Abarth Sebring history.

This Ex-Bruce McLaren Briggs Cunningham Team Sebring 3-Hours winning 1961 Fiat-Abarth 1000 Bialbero Competition Coupe sold at Bonhams auction for $337,000 a few years ago and remains one of the most desirable Abarth racers to be sold in recent years. With Chassis no. 1128948 and Engine no. 229/235 this historic Fiat-Abarth Bialbero (‘Twin camshaft’) is the car in which the legendary New Zealand racing driver, Bruce McLaren, won the 1961 Sebring 3-Hours race for up-to-1-liter Grand Touring cars early in his career prior to driving in Formula 1 and Can Am in his own McLaren racing cars. The car was prepared and entered for the race by Briggs Cunningham’s iconic American racing team. It is one of three sister Fiat-Abarth Bialberos delivered to the Cunningham Team in February 1962.

The individual chassis numbers of these three 1000GT models were 1127998, 1128948 and 1127862. They were entrusted to Alfred Momo’s well-known Momo Corporation workshops for preparation prior to entry in the Sebring 3-Hours race on March 23, 1962. This was the opening race of that year’s FIA Grand Touring Car Manufacturers’ World Championship, and the three Cunningham-entered Fiat-Abarths were to be driven by Bruce McLaren, Walt Hansgen and Roger Penske. Bruce won in this car bearing race number ’8′ after a hard-fought battle with none other than superstar Stirling Moss in a works Austin-Healey Sprite. Walt Hansgen’s Cunningham team Bialbero race number ’7′ finished second, while Roger Penske was out of luck in the sister car number ’9′ – retiring from the race around half distance.

This particular 1000GT Bialbero – after its Sebring victory – was subsequently entered for the Bridgehampton 400Kms race on Long Island, NY, on September 15 that year. Walt Hansgen drove it in that event, finishing fourth overall and second in class behind class winner Bob Grossman in an ex-works Fiat-Abarth 1000. These incredibly potent, nimble and good-handling little cars triumphed resoundingly over an impressive field of Porsche 356s and Alfa Romeo Giulietta SZs. It is significant that the overall race winner that day was another lightweight Abarth – a Porsche-Abarth 356B Carrera GTL driven by Bob Holbert.

These two American races comprised both the opening and closing rounds of that year’s FIA Division 1 World Championship series, and this 1-liter category proved a total triumph for the Fiat-Abarth marque whose cars won at Lago di Garda in Italy, the Berlin Grand Prix and at the Nurburgring in Germany and at the Coppa Citta di Enna event around Lake Pergusa in Sicily. Leading drivers of the cars other than Briggs Cunningham’s terrific trio included former United States Grand Prix-winner Innes Ireland, Eberhard Mahle and Ferrari’s subsequent Italian GP-winner Ludovico Scarfiotti.

The car was painstakingly restored by respected specialist Nino Epifani and won its class at Pebble Beach in 2002 and remains in concours condition today as it continues to garner the winners laurels at various events.

Amongst all highly-desirable surviving Fiat-Abarths, chassis ’1128948′ is surely one of the most important to have come to the public market in recent years. Its history of having been prepared in period by none other than Alfred Momo’s Momo Corporation, of having been entered at Sebring and Bridgehampton by the charismatic Briggs Cunningham team, of having been driven to victory in the Sebring 3-Hours by none other than Bruce McLaren, and to another fine World Championship points-scoring finish by that all-American road racing icon, Walt Hansgen, speak volumes about this beautiful little Coupe’s historic quality.

Custom Attitude is the concept underpinning Abarth ‘fuoriserie’, the programme devoted to customers who want the exclusivity typical of custom cars together with top performance levels.  Abarth “fuoriserie” arose as a natural development of the world of Specialties, with which it shares the engine tuning of the standard 180 HP unit; it represents the greatest level of customisation combined with the exclusivity of a car built and dedicated to each individual customer.

Specially crafted by a highly specialised team of Abarth designers, engineers and mechanics, each “fuoriserie” is a faithful reflection of the concepts at the heart of Abarth DNA: inspiration, passion and attention to detail, uniqueness, historical heritage, quest for efficiency, performance, spirit and high-tech appeal.

A genuine lovemark able to tell great stories through past values, present success and future challenges, Abarth sets its customers at the centre of its ‘fuoriserie’ programme, involving them personally in the creative process.

Each “fuoriserie” vehicle is potentially different from all the others. Custom attitude is the possibility of choice: car liveries like tattoos on your skin, indelible and personal, unique feelings, accessories inspired by the Abarth brand, with an eye for innovation, technology and the latest trends.

Customers develop from simple fans of the brand (likers) or buyers (users) to players (makers) in the process of creating and developing their car.

In the wake of the ‘Olio Fiat’ livery launched in Paris, the Geneva Motor Show will host the debut of four examples of customised cars that push the boundaries of the concept of ownership and exclusivity. The New Heritage collection associated with the spirit of motorsport and the history of Abarth will feature thebelonging to the New Wave collection, where the focus is on the latest trends and a quest for innovative materials and technologies.  The former is aimed at younger customers interested in cutting-edge trends, while the latter satisfies those seeking refinement and style.

Custom Attitude – an approach that Abarth has always followed in its product range – achieves an initial level of satisfaction with the Abarth 500 Custom: a conceptual blank sheet to be moulded in accordance with your personality. The range of personalisation options has now been extended through performance tuning kits, brake systems, exhaust systems and an extensive array of accessories, new colours and materials for exteriors and interiors.

The two customisations Abarth 595 ‘turismo’ and ‘Abarth 595 ‘competizione’ are genuine Abarth cars with a 160 HP tuned engine as standard. In particular, those who identify themselves by values such as style, refinement, comfort and the most exclusive sportiness with a preference for the world of ‘Gran Turismo’, the Abarth 595 ‘turismo’ offers special tuning for the engine, geometry and brake system in addition to a high level of interior and exterior detail. In the Abarth 595 ‘competizione’, the tuning also affects the exhaust system, with the “Record Monza” exhaust and ‘Abarth Corse by Sabelt®’ sports seats as standard for those who see themselves as out-and-out race lovers, inspired by the no-holds-barred world of racing.

The ‘all inclusive’ customisation level is represented by the 695 Edizione Maserati, a distillate of sportiness, class and performance produced by Abarth and Maserati.

The Punto has also changed: the Punto Supersport takes to the street with a brand-new look. Custom Attitude is the common thread running through the entire Abarth range: customers can now choose a hand-crafted painted and polished roof and bonnet livery. From today, the 1.4 MultiAir engine upgraded to 180 HP also comes as standard.

The new Abarth Punto EVO Supersport… the price? – yours from only £259 per month* Abarth – a world of performance since 1949! The new Abarth Punto EVO Supersport; the big brother of the iconic Abarth 500 and 595 is fully loaded with performance and style as only Abarth can.

The Abarth Punto EVO Supersport has the looks drawn from the Abarth competition and Abarth racing heritage with handling, brakes and performance to match – the perfect blend to make every mile a smile! The Limited Edition Abarth Punto EVO Supersport is for the driver who prefers their scorpion to have an extra sting in it’s tail. The Multiair engine is upgraded to produce 180 hp at 5,750 rpm and 270 Nm of torque at just 2,500 rpm, resulting in an improved 0-62mph time of just 7.5 seconds and a top speed of 134mph. The Abarth Supersport also receives the same free-flow exhaust system and BMC air filter from the esseesse Abarth tuning kit. The Abarth Punto EVO Supersport exterior is exclusively available in the historic Campovolo Grey with 17″ alloys in a special black finish. Inside, the Abarth Punto EVO Supersport has dual-zone climate control and finishing touches include dash-mounted “Supersport” badge, aluminium Abarth racing pedals, Abarth “Supersport” floor mats and “Supersport” door aperture kick plates.

Find an Abarth Dealer near you here

 * Abarth Punto EVO Supersport – latest offer
On the Road Price £17,800.00
Customer Deposit £2,059.00
Amount of Credit £15,741.00
47 Monthly Instalments £259.00
Optional Final Payment (incl. backend fee) £5,759.00
Total Amount Payable by Customer £19,991.00
Duration of Contract 48 months
Rate of Interest (Fixed) 4.53%
Representative APR 5.1%

Abarth Punto EVO Range fuel cons mpg (l/100km): urban 35.3 (8.0) / extra-urban 56.5 (5.0) / combined 46.3 (6.1), CO2 emissions: 142g/km. Promotion available on new Abarth Punto Supersport models registered before 31st March 2013. With ideal PCP you have the option to return the vehicle and not pay the fi nal payment, subject to the vehicle not having exceeded an agreed annual mileage (a charge of 6p per mile for exceeding 10,000 miles per annum in this example) and being in good condition. Finance subject to status. Guarantees may be required. Terms and Conditions apply. At participating Dealers only. Abarth Financial Services, PO BOX 4465, Slough, SL1 0RW.

Rare Abarth cars continue to attract collectors across the Globe and at the Silverstone Auctions auction at this year’s Race Retroshow at Stoneleigh Park there are two desirable examples from the 1960s – a 695 SS Abarth Fiat 500 and an Abarth Fiat OT1000 Coupe [UPDATE: Hammer price on the 1967 Fiat Abarth 695 SS was £25,200 and the 1965 Fiat Abarth OT 1000 hammer price was £22,500... Abarth's old and new certainly hold their value!]

The 695 SS Abarth here has white paintwork with contrasting black interior. This highly original car has resided in Italy for most of its life and has benefited from a dry and sunny climate. Consequently, the body has been preserved and is in fine condition. This Abarth comes with a period Abarth driver’s seat, Abarth/Jaeger rev counter and dials, 4-point rear roll hoop and is generally in very impressive condition. Such is the originality of this example, it even boasts Abarth rubber bonnet catches and Abarth body stamp, *0476.

According to Silverstone Auctions; buyers should be aware that this lot has formed part of a large private collection and has been stored for some time in a heated environment, as such, some gentle recommissioning works may be required. Please contact us for further details regarding this specific lot. With a believed genuine 78,549 kilometres reading on the odometer, this incredibly rare little Abarth is a true collector’s item.

This Fiat Abarth OT 1000 Coupe has resided in Italy all of its life and has been well preserved by the sunny and dry climate. The body is apparently in excellent condition with consistent shut lines and excellent chrome. The white paint is elegantly complemented by the red interior. The odometer reads 58,999 kilometres.

According to Silverstone Auctions buyers should be aware that this lot has formed part of a large private collection and has been stored for some time in a heated environment, as such, some gentle recommissioning works may be required. Please contact Silverstone Auctions directly for further details regarding this specific lot. The general aesthetic condition of this charming little Abarth is excellent and there can only be a handful of examples left in existence that present as well. A must for any collector of Italian sportscars, this example oozes exclusivity with effortless and understated style.