Fiat 500C Abarth: 2010 Geneva Auto Show

TURIN, Italy — Fiat's Abarth brand will display performance editions of the 500C and the Punto Evo at the 2010 Geneva Auto Show.

Abarth has kitted out the 500C in a choice of two-tone exterior paint schemes, loud graphics and 17-inch diamond-finish alloy wheels.

Under the hood is an Abarth-tuned 1.4-liter four-cylinder Turbo T-Jet gas engine that makes 140 horsepower and 152 pound-feet of torque. Coupled with a six-speed Abarth Competizione automated manual gearbox with paddle shifters, the engine provides 0-60-mph acceleration in less than 8.1 seconds and a top speed of 127 mph, while returning impressive average fuel economy of 36 mpg in the European combined driving cycle.

Working with Magneti Marelli, Abarth also has upgraded the suspension and will offer an SS tuning kit for those who want even higher performance.

While both the standard Fiat 500 and 500C are slated to go on sale next year in North America, the company isn't saying yet if the hot Abarth editions will come, too. The Abarth 500C will go on sale shortly in Europe and Japan, Fiat said, "closely followed by other markets."

Abarth also has tuned the Punto Evo, which went on sale last fall in Europe. The Abarth variant features a turbocharged 165-hp 1.4-liter Multiair four-cylinder engine that provides peak torque of 184 lb-ft and 0-60-mph acceleration in less than 7.9 seconds.

The Abarth Punto Evo sports Brembo brakes, Jaeger instrumentation and optional Sabelt sport seats. An SS tuning kit bundles vented disc brakes, lower springs and 18-inch Abarth SS alloy wheels painted in white or titanium and fitted with performance tires.

Inside Line says: In the delightful English translation of the original Italian press release on the hotted-up 500C, Abarth claims to be making "clear advances towards those members of the female public who are seeking not only design and elegance, but a good dose of sports performance, too." Those Italians and their advances. — Paul Lienert, Correspondent