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Fiat 500X Abarth could pack 200 horsepower

Enticing as some of its products might be, Abarth has been rather limited. Fiat revived the name to serve as its performance sub-brand in 2007, tasking it with producing hot versions of the 500 and Punto. The Punto never even made it to America, and isn't even offered overseas anymore, either. But don't think that Fiat Chrysler is just going to let the Scorpion marque skate by on just one model for much longer. Abarth is expected to offer its own performance version of the upcoming Fiat 124 Spider that's based on the Mazda MX-5 Miata. But that's not all. According to Alfredo Altavilla, FCA's COO for Europe, Africa and the Middle East, the company is closely evaluating a performance version of the 500X (pictured here with Mopar accessories). "Besides the 124 and 500, we are thinking about an all-new addition to the line-up," Altavilla told Auto Express. "The 500X is one of the options being considered." If approved for production, the 500X Abarth would target the likes of the Mini Countryman JCW and Nissan Juke Nismo. It may be too early to make the call on powertrain options, but we could be looking at a retuned version of the adaptable 1.75-liter turbo four in the Alfa Romeo 4C that's also tipped to power the Abarth 124, with around 200 horsepower. That'd put it right in line with the 197 hp in the Juke Nismo, 215 hp in the Juke Nismo RS, and 208 hp in the Countryman JCW. This isn't the first time we've heard the prospect of an Abarth 500X brought up. The last time was the better part of the year ago, when we we hoped the project would lead to an amped-up Jeep Renegade as well. The Italian-American automaker has no intention of phoning it in with the Abarth 500X. "We went a bit too far with the Punto Abarth. Now our customers won't buy a fake. If the 500X becomes the addition to the Abarth line-up, it will be everything but a family version," said Altavilla. "Any new version of an Abarth car should deliver some sort of a performance enhancement, otherwise it is useless."

Sell your own: 2015 Fiat 500 Abarth

Looking to sell your car? We make it both easy and free. Quickly create listings with up to six photos and reach millions of buyers. Log in and create your free listings. Bred from the rich postwar history of Fiat and its competition counterpart, Abarth, Fiat Chrysler reintroduced the Fiat 500 Abarth to US showrooms in 2012. It had been a long time since US drivers had access to a small, easy-to-park Italian package. Mini's Cooper S provided Fiat Chrysler with the market research, and like Burger King locating next to a McDonald's, Fiat's 500 Abarth was ushered into US showrooms. With the 500 delivering just over 100 horsepower, the Abarth (a-BART) supplies a full 160 horsepower to the front wheels, along with an oh-so-flexible 170 pound-feet of torque. Driving through a five-speed manual (or available automatic), and planted on a short 90-inch wheelbase, the 500 Abarth offers the engagement your friends (prior to the iPhone) used to provide. Our 'for sale' 2015 example, located in Prescott, Arizona, looks to be in good cosmetic condition. With but 24,000 miles it should have plenty of high-revving life left in it. We'd always suggest a pre-purchase inspection, and those with rural zip codes should consider Fiat dealer support. But if looking for bang-for-the-buck (and the seller's 'ask' is right where it should be), there are few better options this side of $20,000. Please find the listing here. Related Video:

This Fiat 500 covered in human hair is a world record holder

Are you the type of person picks up little pieces of lint or hair in your car to keep things clean? If so, then this Fiat 500 in Italy might just drive you insane. An Italian women and her classic Fiat 500 have received two Guinness World Records for creating the world's hairiest car.
Maria Lucia Mugno grabbed her first record in 2010 after she covered her Fiat in 220 pounds (100 kilograms) of human hair, according to Guinness. But apparently that wasn't enough, because she recently set a new milestone by increasing the car's tresses to 265 pounds (120kg). It reportedly took 150 hours to create her follicle Fiat art car.
Covering your vintage Fiat in human hair would certainly be odd enough, but the story takes an even weirder turn. According to World Car Fans, Mugno reportedly imports the locks from India because the hair there is supposedly stronger than what's available from Europeans. We just hope that the stuff is getting washed somewhere in the process.