for homeslice: fiat abarth 500
 

lol

"With Fiat's little 500 subcompact officially heading our way in the near future, we're taking a greater interest in the tuner market for what could be one heck of a hot hatch. Sure, the base 500 engine that we're likely to see - a 100-hp, 1.4 liter mill - isn't much to write home about, but we're already drooling over the 135-hp, 152 lb-ft turbocharged Abarth version. And before you chime in that 135 ponies isn't a lot of power these days, remember that the 500 only weighs 2200 lbs.

Still, there's always room for improvement, and German tuner company Karl Schnorr Kraftfahrzeuge has taken that phrase to heart. Schnorr shares more than just a derivative of Abarth founder Carlo Abarth's first name. He also shares a passion for making small, modestly powered cars go really fast. At first the Karl Schnorr 500 Abarth could be just another tarted-up Cinquecento, what with its red OZ Seria Rossa 17-in. wheels, additional red stripes, red side mirror covers, and lowered stance. But there's a lot more to it underneath.

Sixty-five more, to be precise. That's how much more horsepower the 5050-euro ($7218) 'Power Level 2' 200-hp Schnorr-tuned 500 Abarth makes over the standard version, courtesy of a remapped ECU, larger turbocharger, and sports exhaust system. Not quite ready for that big of a gain? Try the 'Power Level 1' kit and get 28 more ponies (163 hp) for just 950 euros ($1358). Just want your 500 Abarth to be a little more aggressive in the corners? Schnorr will also sell you a coilover suspension kit for 1270 euros ($1815) including installation.

Still, there may be something to be said for the 500 Abarth even in its standard 135-hp guise. After all, as Paul Horrell said regarding our First Drive of the pint-sized runabout, "I love the Abarth. These days, 500 hp has become the sports-car entry ticket. But when can you use that much? The Abarth reminds us the there's a lot to be said for taking a small terrier of a car and driving the door handles off it."

Source: Karl Schnorr Kraftfahzeuge "

http://image.motortrend.com/f/tuners...-500-front.jpg
http://image.motortrend.com/f/tuners...ont-corner.jpg
http://image.motortrend.com/f/tuners...500-engine.jpg
http://image.motortrend.com/f/tuners...00-hood-up.jpg
http://image.motortrend.com/f/tuners...h-500-rear.jpg
http://image.motortrend.com/f/tuners...h-500-side.jpg

So that thing is coming here? I predict failure. Sure it must be fun to drive, but it looks major fail, especially the rear end. There are plenty of other hatches in Europe that look 10 times better.

Feck no!
I would rock one, especially an abarth.
Although, with only 135hp, it would be weak. My Elantra has 140hp, and only weighs 400lbs more, and is not that great. I think the 163hp version would be tits.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UpAFi9nIJVQ

163hp and faster than an Elise. yummy

<- still wants to see an abarth challenger

163 hp is more than my Ranger had and I could have some real fun with that little truck. And this thing "could" make 200 hp if you pay enough?! I'd rock it 'til it fell apart and then put it back together again.

The rear end looks like a Mini, and they sell the hell out of those :scratch:

The price point is going to determine win or lose, IMO.

Personally, in a solid color, yank the enormous badges, chop out the grill a bit so you've got a big mouth full of shark teeth.... that'd be a blast.

Like I've always said, I grew up driving these size of cars, so I'll probably put it on my shopping list, but I doubt it'll sell very well because here in America you've got the whole "that's gay" attitude against cars like this.

Not to mention that the rear end of that thing looks too much like a PT Cruiser......Couldn't they get a little more creative?

That's gay sold a hell of a lot of Minis, Cabriolets, PT Cruisers, and Miatas over the last 20+ years.

Concerning cars like this I don't think it is a "that's gay" attitude. I would have been very interested in a Cooper S. Too bad it starts at $25k and weighs half a ton more than the original. BMW turned it gay.

Fix it again tony