Latest rumour suggests that the Fiat 500 Abarth India launch could take place in the coming weeks
If the latest rumour is anything to go by, the much awaited Fiat 500 Abarth India launch could be just weeks away from us! The Fiat 500 Abarth made its India debut at the 2014 Auto Expo early last year and was supposed to be launched in the first-half of 2014. However, various factors ensued that the Fiat 500 Abarth India launch was pushed forward to early 2015. The launch was again postponed due to a rise in excise duty and unforeseen resignation of the then Fiat India President and MD, Nagesh Basavanhalli. However, it is now being claimed that Fiat India has once again started preparing itself to launch the 500 Abarth on our shores and the Fiat 500 Abarth India launch could take place sometime next month. Essentially, the Fiat 500 Abarth is the performance-tuned version of the cutesy 500 hatchback and the upcoming model carries various go-faster bits to leave us all performance junkies really excited.
Price
The Fiat 500 Abarth will be brought to us via CBU route and the upcoming hot hatch could have a sticker price of INR 25 lacs (ex-showroom).
Specs
The 500 Abarth comes with a 1.4 litre, 16-valve, turbocharged T-Jet petrol that is good enough for a maximum power of 160 BHP and a peak torque of 230 NM. The motor comes mated to a five-speed manual transmission. If the figures from the manufacturer are to be believed, the 500 Abarth can hit 100 km/h from standstill in merely 7.9 seconds and have a top whack of 205 kmph. The car gets a handful of features that the regular Fiat 500 misses out on. You get to choose between 16-inch or 17 inch alloys, gas-discharged headlights and sunroof are on offer to make your ride way more stylish. Cross drilled brake discs on all four wheels coupled with 7 airbags, ABS and EBD take charge of the safety department. The twin exhausts will be producing a pretty sweet note in our opinion and the sporty seats which team up with a high end audio system will add to the drive experience.
Fiat is also expected to take a firm stand on the Jeep’s India launch prospects. It maybe noted that the Jeep brand is still being contemplated due to fluctuations in the Indian currency. Fiat has now strengthened its dealer network, has launches lined up with high end cars coming in and is looking positive in its approach.
Can Fiat taste the success it once enjoyed in the Indian market? Let us wait and watch.
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Stay tuned to Car Blog India for more Fiat 500 Abarth India launch details.
