Legendary tuner, engineer and racing motorcyclist Karl Abarth's first venture under the red and yellow scorpion badge was a go-fast kit for the Fiat 500 - the ubiquitous Topolino or 'little mouse' - which transformed the 13kW, 500cc twin-cylinder city car into a very naughty little 150km/h 'hot hatch'.

So it's appropriate that the Abarth badge returns to South Africa with two special, high-performance Fiat 500 derivatives and a very special 'box of tricks' - a go-fast kit that comes in a traditional wooden crate and will make any 500 go faster, around corners as well as in a straight line.

The 500 and 500C Abarth come with a 1.4-litre, 16-valve turbocharged petrol engine for which Fiat quotes 99kW at 5500rpm and 206Nm at 3000rpm in 'Sport' mode ('Normal' is good for 180Nm at 2500rpm).

That'll get you from 0-100 in 7.9 seconds and on to 205km/h, at a cost of 5.4 litres per 100km in the combined cycle.

A torque control system mimics the action of a limited-slip differential by using the ESP sensors and braking system to transfer the engine's torque away from the unloaded inner wheel to the loaded outer wheel, thus reducing understeer.

Abarth front treatment features a larger central air intake than on the 'normal' 500, a wider upper slot above the number plate and two functional side intakes that feed the intercooler.

At the rear there's a special bumper above an aerodynamic extractor and dual tailpipes, topped off by a tailgate spoiler, with a scorpion logo above the exhausts, just as on the Abarth-modified specials of fifty years ago.

16” alloy rims are standard, 17” hoops an extra-cost option.

Special Abarth instrumentation is highlighted by an analogue boost gauge with a gearshift warning and a sports steering wheel with moulded thumb-grips and a flattened base.

The gear knob and handbrake lever are trimmed in leather, the aluminium pedals faced with rubber.

Wraparound Abarth sports seats support their occupants during hard cornering; they're available in several variations of leather and fabric.

Seven airbags are standard, as are xenon headlights, power front windows and door mirrors, aircon, height-adjustable driver's seat and steering wheel and a radio/CD/MP3 player with satellite controls.

The 500C Abarth convertible has the same spec as the hatch, except that the suspension is retuned for a slightly more compliant ride and, if you ask for the optional MTA auto gearbox, the engine is remapped to deliver an extra 4kW - up to 103kW at 5000rpm.

The exclusive 500 and 500C Abarth will initially only be available from a dedicated Abarth centre in Craighall Park at R230 000 and R255 000 respectively including VAT, a three-year or 100 000km warranty and a five-year or 90 000km service plan.

695 TRIBUTO FERRARI

The 695 'Tributo Ferrari' commemorates a long-standing association between 'Carlo' Abarth and the prancing horse and, as always with Abarth, it's more about go than show - starting with a 1.4-litre Turbo T-Jet 16-valve, tuned to develop more than 132kW, driving through an MTA (manual transmission automated) electromechanical gearbox with paddle gearshift.

It'll sprint from 0-100 in less than seven seconds, according to Fiat, and reach 225km/h flat out, running on 17” performance tyres wrapped round Ferrari-inspired alloy rims.

284mm multi-section discs with fixed four-piston Brembo callipers and uprated dampers keep everything under control, while a 'Record Monza' variable back-pressure 'dual mode' exhaust delivers a sound track to match.

The 695 comes in either yellow or red with carbon-fibre door mirrors and contrasting grey air rear air-intakes.

Special sports seats by Sabelt feature a carbon-fibre shell and black leather trim; they're 10kg lighter (each!) than standard Fiat 500 seats but offer much better lateral support thanks to bolsters filled with crush-resistant foam.

The instrument panel is specially made by Jaeger, inspired by typical Ferrari instrumentation, and there are no carpets; the foot wells are floored with non-slip aluminium chequer plate.

Just a few will be available in South Africa at R550 000 each including VAT>

BOX OF TRICKS

The 'esseesse' kit (say it 'SS') borrows its name from the original 500 Abarth of the late1950s; back then the Abarth 'esseesse' kit parts not only improved power output, but also lowered the suspension, changed the wheels, and dressed up the car with Abarth badges.

And so it is today: the current 'box of tricks' contains a special 'powered by BMC' air filter cleaner and mapping software that deliver a spunky 118kW at 5750rom and 230Nm at 3000rpm, promising 0-100 in 7.4 seconds and 211km/h flat out.

Also in the traditional wooden crate are perforated, ventilated 284mm x 22mm front discs, perforated 240mm x 11mm rear discs, high-performance front brake pads, adjustable Koni dampers and shorter stiffer springs, 7J x 17” alloy rims finished in either white or metallic grey, shod with 205/40 radials and pre-fitted with tyre pressure sensors - and of course, a set of 'esseesse' badges for the engine cover and tailgate.

The 'esseesse' costs R37 000, which includes fitting by the Abarth performance centre; that way you get to keep your warranty.

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