NF500 / air intake

It’s been almost three months since we published the first, full and official 500 Abarth press release on NF500, but today, to coincide with Abarth’s appearance at the Mille Miglia and unveiling of the 500 Abarth Assetto Corse, Abarth have published a further release, many of which is repetition, but does include some previously unpublished details of the new car.

First of all, we have another confirmation that the car will go on sale via the exclusive Abarth dealer network from July 2008, but NO details of where these dealers will be located, and if and how the release will be staggered for different markets.

In terms of styling, the twin exhausts will be embossed with the famous Abarth scorpion logo as a nod to Abarth models of the 1960s. At the front, it’s all about aerodynamics and feeding the engine with cool air. The three part pattern formed by the front air intakes features a larger central intake than on the basic 500, and the slot above the number plate housing is also wider than standard. To the side of the bumper are what Abarth refer to as “nostrils”, which appropriately enough allow two corresponding intercoolers (which can be seen through the openings) to breath. Abarth also claim that the rear roof spoiler and “slide” attached to the base of the body is not only for show, but planned carefully to enhance the aerodynamic characteristics of the Fiat 500.

The Abarth logo also “floats” on a finned surface that acts as an additional air intake. Abarth badges are positioned on the sides, crossed by a three-coloured thunderbolt, exactly as on the Abarth 595 and 695 Abarth of the 1060s, to symbolise the brand’s racing vocation. The wheel rims, available in 16 and 17 inch sizes, come in different styles: from multispoked rims to rims bordered by holes (the reference to the forged wheel motifs of the 1970s is clear).

On the inside the 500 Abarth features specific instruments and an analogue pressure gauge used to measure the turbo pressure. The main gauge, with sporting graphics, is lipped on top to offer further protection against glare while the three-spoke steering wheel incorporates moulded grips for the thumbs and is levelled off at the base to ensure increased passenger room and space for adjustment. The aluminium pedals with rubber inserts also reflect Abarth’s racing heritage and flavour, as does the leather trimmed sports gear knob and unified seats with the head restraints incorporated in the backrest. This is all topped off by a roof trim and side inserts in black, intended to give the passenger compartment a hi-tech, sporty look, and hopefully not too claustrophobic!

Official photographs are still frustratingly thin on the ground for those of us yet to see this car in the metal, but there are some good detail shots of the items mentioned in this latest press release on Flickr, especially this set from the Geneva motorshow.

Technical specifications:
500 Abarth 1.4 16v Turbo T-Jet 135 bhp

1. Engine - 4 cylinders in line, 4 valves per cylinder, 1368 cm3.
2. Power output: 135 bhp ( 99 KW ) at 5500 rpm.
3. Peak torque: 206 Nm at 3000 rpm in SPORT BOOST mode.
4. Supercharging by means of a fixed geometry IHI RHF3-P turbocharger.
5. Transmission - 5-speed gearbox C510
6. Suspension - Front: MacPherson layout and anti-roll bar
7. Rear: inter-connected arms layout on torsion beam with anti-roll bar
8. Lowered sports suspension.
9. Steering - Dualdrive Electric power steering in SPORT mode.
10. Brakes - ZPH 4.1.2 floating front calliper, ø 54mm piston.
11. Self-ventilating front brake discs, ø 284 x 22 mm.
12. CII 34 floating rear calliper, ø 34 mm piston.
13. Rear brake discs, ø 240 mm x 11 mm.
14. Wheels - Standard: 6.5”x16” aluminium wheels
15. Tyres: 195/45 R16”
16. Option: 7”x17” aluminium wheels
17. Tyres: 205/40 R17”
18. Ecology level - Compliance with the Euro 5 CEE-F5 standard
19. CO2 emissions - 155 g/km
20. Fuel consumption - Urban consumption (lt./100km): 8.5 (33 imperial mpg)
21. Mixed consumption (lt./100km): 5.4 (52 imperial mpg)
22. Extra-urban consumption (lt./100km): 6.5 (43 imperial mpg)
23. Performance - Top speed: 205 Km/h (127 mph).
24. Acceleration (0 to 100 km/h (62mph)): 7.9 sec.