Fiat India’s plan to launch its performance oriented brand Abarth in India is no secret, however speculations regarding the launch time have been humming in the auto industry. Sources working closely with the company had hinted at year end launch and it seems that India will get the new brand from Fiat by that time. The first vehicle to be brought under the new brand is a premium hatchback christened Abarth 500. The hatchback has apparently already brought to India for the homologation process that reinforces the possibility of probable change in launch date.
Foraying in India with premium hatchback Abarth 500, Abarth is a performance oriented brand of Fiat. Abarth 500 will not be sold under Fiat badge in domestic market instead it will flaunt the Scorpion logos. Claimed to be a potential threat to other vehicles in its segment, the hatchback is expected to come incorporated with a host of high end features such as Anti-Lock-Braking system, seven airbags and ESC. Aimed at the elite class, Abarth 500 is expected to re-build image of Fiat as a classy brand. The hatchback will compete with rivals including MINI Cooper 1.6 S that has already gained popularity in India. Courtesy hefty excise duties levied on CBUs, expect Abarth 500 to be priced at Rs 25 lakh to Rs 28 lakh. As for the external body shades, the hatchback would be offered in four colour options- – Nero Puro (Black), Bianco (White), Granito Lucente (Grey) and Rosso (Red).
Power will be supplied to the vehicle through a 1.4 litre MultiAir turbocharged petrol engine that is good for a top power of 160 PS along with a peak torque of 230 Nm. A five-speed manual transmission will be employed to the vehicle working in symbioses with the engine.
