NF500 / 500 Spy Shots

Special thanks to KevinB who originally posted these images on our New Fiat 500 forums.

The photographs, taken by a super sleuth based in Poland, show the recently revealed Abarth version of the popular Fiat 500 strutting its stuff on the streets among everyday traffic.

While these images in themselves reveal nothing new about the forthcoming hot hatch version of the Fiat 500, it is always nice to see future models mixing it on the street, apparently in the latter stages of development and testing. The only visible disguise here is the clever(?!) covering of the Abarth badges, which may fool some, but it wasn’t fooling Kevin’s spotter, or us for that matter, nice try Fiat.

[Disclaimer: We may have added the NF500.com stickers shown in the windows ourselves]

This time it’s Auto Express who have a collection of images of the forthcoming Fiat 500 Abarth, under disguise and in testing.

The photos show front, side and back profiles.  Through the heavy black cladding it is possible to make out panel modifications and intakes that may or may not make the final production version of the hot 500.

In the article Auto Express claim the vehicle in the photos to be the 500 Abarth SS and that we can expect “at least 180 hp” from the 1.4 litre engine.  We’ll have to wait and see on that front.  You can see all the photos and read the full article over at the Auto Express website.

Car magazine online have some excellent photographs and some interesting thoughts on the new Fiat 500 Abarth SS which was recently caught on camera during testing.

The photographs show quite dramatic modifications to the exterior styling, not only for function, such as the front lower bodywork and grille, but also for style and sound, such as the extremely beefy looking twin rear exit exhausts.

In terms of performance and power, Car are hedging their bets at anywhere between 165 and 180 hp for this true pocket rocket.  The Abarth SS is shaping up to be a real winner in our eyes!

Read more, see all the photos over at Car.

The same red Fiat 500 Abarth that was caught testing last month and seen on WorldCarFans.com has  popped up again, and this time Evo have the exclusive photographs on their website.

Disappointingly there’s only two images, and the text does nothing more than reitterate previous rumours, with Evo claiming there will be a 135 hp Abarth, an Abarth 500 SS with 150 hp, plus a more powerful 200 hp version.  The 200 hp hot 500 is most likely (sadly) to be used exclusively in a one-make race series Fiat are rumoured to be planning for launch some time in 2008.

The online version of Car Magazine is carrying some very good spy photos of the new Fiat 500 Abarth in testing in Germany.  The photos appear to be from the same sessions that the photogrpahs of the 500 Abarth shown on WorldCarFans.com came from.

This time however the snaps show the red 500 Abarth test vehicle fleeting along in the pouring rain.  See the full photo set and read Car’s opinions on their website.

More photographs of the forthcoming Fiat 500 Abarth testing at the Nurburgring have hit the web.

These latest images show the new 500 Abarth testing alongside its bigger relative, the Grande Punto Abarth. Once again the test vehicle in question is red with a splashing of black camouflage tape and various bits and pieces taped on or taped up.

It really looks like those working on the development the hot new Fiat have gone at this example with a Dremel, with quite severe frontal work including two air intakes cut into the bonnet. It appears options for effective cooling of the tuned engine(s) that will be shoehorned into the new 500s comparatively diminutive shell was the subject of the day.

Photo gallery and related article can be found on WorldCarFans.com

In case you’re concerned that the new Fiat 500, despite it’s charms, may be a little “soft” for your liking, then this recent video posted to YouTube may help change your mind.

The Fiat 500 is quite clearly being pitched at a cross-over audience with the MINI Cooper, and the hot Abarth variant could well be the model to tempt some of those who appreciate the MINIs uncanny knack of matching “show” with plenty of “go”.

There’s plenty of rumours doing the rounds regarding the new Fiat 500 Abarth, which state the output between around 130 to 150 hp, but as the old cliché goes power is nothing without control. This Nurburgring video certainly seems to show positive signs on all fronts. And we think you’ll agree, the sounds is pretty impressive too.