Hot Fiat minicar out-sizzles the opposition

It calls the car, based on the new 500 minicar, “frisky and fun” and “an irresistible piece of Italian tailoring” and liked its retro styling, sports looks, turbo-boosted acceleration, grip and handling.

The Abarth 500 runs a 1.4-litre 16-valve turbocharged engine delivering 135bhp at 5500rpm and peak torque of 206Nm at 3000rpm, when drivers activate the Sport mode.

Fiat also makes a 160bhp esseesse version of the Abarth 500.