2008 Paris Auto Show Preview: Fiat 500 Abarth Essesse

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PARIS — Look out, Mini Cooper S: Fiat's 500 Abarth Essesse looks like a hot competitor. The sporty kit for Fiat's highly popular city car will debut at the 2008 Paris Auto Show. Fiat says the kit from its recently resurrected Abarth division "evokes the glorious history of the Scorpion." Fiat will also show an Assetto Corse Abarth racing version of the 500 at the Paris show.

The Fiat 500 Abarth was launched earlier this year, and this is the first conversion kit — or, as Fiat puts it, "Abarth empowerment" package — for it. The Fiat 500 Abarth Essesse's full-body aerodynamic kit includes a new fascia, side skirts and a rear spoiler. In back there's a rear diffuser and dual chromed exhaust. Wheels and tires are 17 inches. The ride height is lowered from the 500 Abarth by an unspecified amount.

The engine is a 1.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that makes 160 horsepower, and the Assetto Corse version makes 200 hp. Additionally, the Assetto Corse 500 Abarth has Brembo four-piston brakes, racing shock absorbers, a reinforced chassis and racing-calibrated power steering. The racing Abarth weighs a sleek 2,208 pounds.



Fiat says it already has 100 official converters and 200 workshops putting Abarth kits on the market, including an Essesse version of the Grande Punto Abarth. Abarth's debut in Japan is set for the end of the year, with other markets outside Europe to follow.

What this means to you: Small wonders from Fiat. — Laura Sky Brown, Correspondent