Abarth at the 2010 Paris International Motor Show

• The Abarth brand tuning story continues: international debut of the esseesse kits for the Abarth Punto Evo and Abarth 500C at the international Paris Motor Show. The Abarth 500 saloon range is extended wîth new colours and new trim levels.

• 2010: year of commercial successes and consolidation of racing activities.


Carlo Abarth loved to call himself a 'creator of cars that are tuned, not prepared'. It was not by chance that his first commercial success came wîth a tuning kit for the Fiat Topolino launched at the beginning of the 1950s. Since then, the Abarth brand philosophy has remained the same: to convert special items into extraordinary products.

Bolstered by the success of the recent conversion kits (one Abarth 500 in three is converted using the official kit), Abarth has expanded its range by launching the world premiere of the esseesse kits for the new Abarth 500C and Abarth Punto Evo models in Paris. These are designed to improve performance, handling and safety without having to sacrifice the car's low emissions and fuel consumption.

The stand will host two esseesse cars that perfectly illustrate the spirit of Abarth tuning, encapsulating substance and unassuming good looks: in accordance wîth brand tradition and market requirements, Abarth cars are a mix of sporty yet elegant looks and safe driving experience, yet always wîth sporty performance levels. The Punto Evo esseesse is in fact capable of 180 HP wîth truly thrilling performance levels: maximum torque of 270 Nm at 3000 rpm, top speed of 216 km/h and acceleration from 0-100 km/h in just 7.5 seconds. The esseesse kit for the 500C turns the scorpion-branded convertible into a genuine open-topped sports car: 160 HP, maximum torque of 230 Nm, top speed of 209 km/h and acceleration from 0-100 km/h in just 7.6 seconds.

The Abarth Punto Evo esseesse is exhibited wîth a Campovolo Grey body, named after the airfield, still operational today, that is located opposite the company's historic headquarters in Corso Marche, Turin. This was where the young Karl Abarth used to buy paint for his cars, the very same Campovolo grey shade used for aircraft. In detail, the Abarth Punto Evo on show combines this particular colour wîth an Abarth band in the body shade and 18'' alloys in a special titanium-coloured esseesse design. Inside, the car features Abarth Corse by Sabelt seats in black leather wîth a distinctly sporty design and an Abarth Blue 2011 Abarth 500C esseesse, Fiat Abarth 500, Abarth