KEY POINTS:
It's a blast from the past and the key to hot-hatch credibility for this year's trendiest new small car - Fiat plans to take its new 500 to European racetracks next year and has revealed the machine that will lead the charge.
The 500 Abarth is kitted out in full racing specification and boasts a 147kW turbo engine, which is nearly three times the output of the 500 JTD tested in these pages last month.
The Assetto Corse version of the 500 Abarth pays homage to the classic 595 that raced with considerable success from 1963. It was widely referred to as "small by deadly".
The new car a wider track, 17-inch racing wheels, lower suspension, sports racing mirrors and a special place for a number on the sides.
Available in pastel grey with red Abarth side stripes, the Assetto Corse wears wide bumpers with an aerodynamic spoiler and screen-printed grilles to replace the plastic louvres on the production 500.
In addition to the classic bonnet clips, the bonnet houses two carbon air intakes bearing the Abarth scorpion logo.
The Abarth identity is expressed with a thunderbolt logo on the side representing the brand's racing image and a red band and four white chequers on the roof, as on the winning Abarth 850TC in the 1960s.
The car weighs about 180kg less than the road version.
And no new 500 is complete without a swag of accessories.
For the Assetto Corse, Abarth has designed a clothing set for the driver, delivered in an original Abarth-branded leather bag.
The set includes overalls, helmet, gloves and shoes, all branded with the Assetto Corse logo.
