New car news

15 September 2009 - 15:00

Frankfurt show: ‘Ferrari’ 500 Abarth

This is what happens when Abarth and a Ferrari make love. Yep, this is the inbred offspring of the two Fiat Group firms and it looks like a fighty pocket rocket.
 
Based on a 500 Abarth, the Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari packs a 1.4-litre turbo tuned by engineers from both companies to fire out more than 134kW. Out back, there's a snarly exhaust with variable flappy valves to make it sound as antisocial as possible. The flappy theme continues inside, with  some paddles to change gear.

And of course, it comes in Scuderia Red with silver stripes like the ones on an F430 Scyd.
 
The official blurb claims it could be a backup car for Ferrari owners, and why not? Why risk your 458 Italia on wet and slippery roads when you could be throwing this thing around?

Now watch Jeremy thrash the 500 Abarth: