Small Car Heaven - Fiat Abarth 500

I've been waiting for the official announcement of this little pocket rocket for a long time, and now it's finally here!

Not super quick, but super cute and super small, and the upgrade to the body and wheels looks cool. Now, if only they'd start shipping them over here, I'd be able to buy one.

Car Post

See Lauren, I make it nice and easy for you to skip ;-)

Anyway, couple of things on the car front, so I wanted to do a combined post to get them all in before my tea is ready.

First off is the official announcement of the much rumoured RS6 Avant from Audi - power is ridiculous (up around 560 bhp), torque at 480 lb/ft and 0-60 in 4.6 seconds.

Pictures are here, with a video of it semi disguised going around The 'Ring at the end of this post (it's fast and loud and fun).

Next up, Alfa has announced they're coming back with more than just the gorgeous (but ridiculously expensive) 8C - it looks like the 159 and Brera (plus Spider, which I guess counts as number 3) are on their way over here in 2009, via the Maserati dealerships (which is lucky for me, as it's just along the road from my house, tucked in with the Ferrari, Lotus and Bentley - hows that for temptation).

If you've got money to burn (but not enough to buy) you can apparently hire a Bugatti Veryon for the day (or 50 miles, whichever comes first, and you already know the answer to that). It's only $40k!!!

Fiat seem like they're kicking arse with their new small cars, and they announced another one I want.

If you prefer the look of the old(er) E46 M3 (which of course I do), but need to have the extra performance of the new one, or even a bit more, here's your option.

There's a new A4 coming in a little while.

And finally, why would you ever do this to a car?

It's Red, Tiny and Fast

So how could I not fall in love with it?

Fiat 500 Abarth - Spy Shots

More small car news, with the spotting of the Fiat 500 Abarth - the sporting version of the cutest new car since too long to remember.

Not only was it spotted, but it was at the 'Ring - definite signs that they're doing plenty of testing to make sure it handles just like the go-kart it looks like.

Anyway, Car broke the news, and the rest of the photos and a few words are here - 150bhp in a go-kart is always fun by anyone's standards...

More Small Cars in the US - Fiesta and Maybe the Fiat 500!

It looks like the success of the Toyota Yaris and Honda Fit over is having a big effect on the plans of some of the other automakers. Ford announced yesterday (I think anyway) that the European Fiesta is going to be coming across at the end of next year, while the CEO of Fiat sort of maybe suggested that they might start selling the 500 over here (which I think is probably my current fave in the small car world, although it's Fiat, so it'll break down and rust to nothing in no time, so I probably wouldn't buy one). No word on this version though.

Fiat Grande Punto Abarth

Not exactly a snappy name, but I guess when you've got this much heritage, it's tough to try and fit it all in.


I almost got excited when I saw it (can you tell I crave the hot hatches given we can't get many out here), until I read the specs, and a 1.4 litre turbo engine pushing out 150 bhp just isn't going to cut it for me.

Anyway, more pics etc here.