Έκθεση Γενεύης 2016: Abarth 124 spider

Με μεγάλη ανυπομονησία περιμέναμε την Abarth έκδοση του Fiat 124 Spider, και η ιταλική εταιρία δεν μας άφησε παραπονεμένους. Η καυτή έκδοση του ιταλικού μοντέλου διαθέτει την αυθεντική εμπειρία roadster, γεμάτη με συγκινήσεις, τεχνολογία, ασφάλεια και αλάνθαστο ιταλικού design. Το αυτοκίνητο θα είναι διαθέσιμο τον Σεπτέμβριο με τιμές του να ξεκινούν από €40.000

Το αυτοκίνητο κάνει το ντεμπούτο του στην έκθεση της Γενεύης, και σχεδιαστικά διαθέτει ένα μαύρο καπό, ακριβώς όπως και το παλιό μοντέλο της δεκαετίας του ’70, νέου σχεδιασμού προφυλακτήρα με πιο επιθετικές γραμμές και μεγαλύτερες εισαγωγές αέρα, ενώ μεγαλύτερες θα είναι και οι ζάντες, καθώς θα πατάει σε 18άρες (από τις 17άρες του απλού μοντέλου). Είναι διαθέσιμο σε πέντε εξωτερικά χρώματα, το άσπρο “Turini 1975”, το κόκκινο “Costa Brava 1972, το μπλε “Isola d’Elba 1974”, το γκρι “Portogallo 1974” και το μαύρο “San Marino 1972”.

Το DNA της Abarth υπάρχει και στο εσωτερικό, με τα δερμάτινα καθίσματα να έχουν ενισχυμένη πλευρική υποστήριξη και παράλληλα να είναι πολύ άνετα. Επίσης, όλα βρίσκονται σε τέλεια αρμονία, διαθέτοντας πεντάλ αλουμινίου, τιμόνι με μικρή διάμετρο, λεβιές ταχυτήτων με κοντύτερη διαδρομή, ενώ ο πίνακας οργάνων περιλαμβάνει ένα μεγάλο στροφόμετρο με κόκκινο φόντο τοποθετημένο σε κεντρική θέση.

Μεγάλο μέρος του βάρους συγκεντρώνεται μεταξύ των αξόνων και ο κινητήρας έχει τοποθετηθεί πίσω από τον εμπρός άξονα για να εξασφαλίσει ευελιξία και οδηγική αίσθηση. Εξελιγμένα μηχανικά μέρη και η χρήση ειδικών υλικών έχουν αποτέλεσμα το συνολικό βάρος να είναι μόλις 1.060 κιλά, και τέλεια κατανομή βάρους 50/50. Η εμμονή βάρος “έσπρωξε” την Abarth να κόψει κάθε γραμμάριο από κάθε δυνατό σημείο. Για παράδειγμα, αναπτύχθηκε ένα ενεργό σύστημα στο καπό, προκειμένου να συμμορφωθεί με τα αυστηρά πρότυπα σύγκρουσης των επιβατών, χωρίς να χαλάσει ο συντελεστής βάρους ή η ισορροπία του αυτοκινήτου.

Μηχανικά, κάτω από το καπό της ευρωπαϊκής έκδοσης βρίσκεται ο 4-κύλινδρος 1.4-λίτρων MultiAir Turbo κινητήρας, απόδοσης 170 ίππων και 250 Nm ροπής. Αυτό συνεπάγεται σε αναλογία 6,2 κιλών ανά ίππο, το καλύτερο στην κατηγορία του. Για τα 0-100 χλμ/ώρα επιταχύνει σε 6.8 δευτ., ενώ η τελική του ταχύτητα φτάνει τα 230 χλμ/ώρα. Επιπλέον, για τον ήχο του κινητήρα η Abarth εξοπλίζει στάνταρ το αυτοκίνητο με την εξάτμιση Record Monza. Η κίνηση μεταφέρεται στον πίσω άξονα μέσω ενός 6-τάχυτου χειροκίνητου κιβωτίου, ενώ υπάρχει και στάνταρ διαφορικό περιορισμένης ολίσθησης.

Η ανάρτηση του 124 spider έχει διπλά ψαλίδια μπροστά και πέντε συνδέσμων στο πίσω μέρος, με τα αμορτισέρ της Bilstein μαζί με τις παχύτερες αντιστρεπιτκές να είναι ειδικά ρυθμισμένα για μεγαλύτερη σταθερότητα στις στροφές και το φρενάρισμα, καθώς επίσης να παρέχουν απόλυτο χειρισμό και οδηγική άνεση.

Το σύστημα πέδησης είναι της Brembo, με αλουμινένιες δαγκάνες, διαθέτει νέες για το ESP, όπως επίσης, για να αυξηθεί η ακρίβεια των χειρισμών του τιμονιού υπάρχει μπάρα θόλων.

Παράλληλα, η Abarth παρουσίασε και την αγωνιστική έκδοση του αυτοκινήτου, με το οποίο θα συμμετάσχει στο Abarth Trophy. Αυτό αποτελείται από επτά αγώνες σε πίστες της Ιταλίας, με το πρωτάθλημα να ξεκινάει την 1η Μαΐου και να ολοκληρώνεται στις 16 Οκτωβρίου. Ακόμα, θα συμμετάσχει στο ιταλικό πρωτάθλημα F4, όπως επίσης και στο ADAC Abarth F4

Μηχανικά κινείται από έναν 1.800άρη κινητήρα ισχύος 300 ίππων στις 6.500 σ.α.λ. και βέλτιστη καμπύλη ροπής, με την μετάδοση να έχει σχεδιαστεί ώστε να βελτιωθεί η απόδοση του κινητήρα. Η κίνηση στέλνεται, επίσης, στους πίσω τροχούς μέσω ενός 6-τάχυτου σειριακού κιβώτιο με χειριστήρια αλλαγής ταχυτήτων και μηχανικό διαφορικό περιορισμένης ολίσθησης.

[See image gallery at www.autoblog.gr]

Abarth at the 2016 Geneva International Motor Show

Abarth is making a comeback to the international stage at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show with great news: the debut of Abarth 124 spider. Heir of the roadster that drove Fiat to its first European Rally Championship win in the 1970s, it is a fun, unconventional car destined to become an icon of driving pleasure just like its predecessor. Being a typical Abarth, the new 124 spider is designed for thrills and performance and has all the qualities needed to satisfy even the most difficult-to-please drivers:R rear-wheel drive, sophisticated suspensions and a four-cylinder 1.4 MultiAir Turbo engine with 170 HP under the bonnet available with a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic Sequenziale Sportivo gearbox with paddle shift. Its style and proportions also express dynamism at its best: streamline silhouette, stretched bonnet, two seats near the rear axle to really “feel” the road. The interior design also reflects the painstaking performance-oriented care for which cars sporting the Scorpion badge are famous while still being packed with safety and comfort equipment.

Abarth 695 Biposto RecordNext to the new Spider, visitors will also discover Abarth 695 Biposto Record, the version created to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of two acceleration records – the quarter mile and 500 metre records – set by Carlo Abarth at the Monza Race Track in 1965. It features an exclusive “Modena Yellow” livery with “Tar Cold Grey” trim and an enamelled “695 Record” badge on the side. Under the bonnet it has a 1.4 T-jet engine, beefed up to 190 HP for genuine performance: it clocks a top speed of 230 km/h and goes from 0 to 100 in 5.9-seconds. This special series comes with many technical features directly taken from racing cars, such as titanium rear light rollbar, 18” alloy wheels, oversized Brembo braking system, Akrapovič exhaust, adjustable hydraulic dampers and mechanical self-locking differential.

Abarth 595 CompetizioneFocus will also be on Abarth 595 Competizione, a model that springs from the experience acquired by Abarth engineers on the race track. It is powered by a 1.4 T-Jet 180 HP Euro 6 engine with Garrett turbo-charger and is available with a five-speed manual or an Abarth sequential robotised. Gearbox. The 225 km/h performance car is showcased on the stand sports a Full Black livery.

Racing

Races are a fundamental part of the Abarth DNA and the 2016 season will be very busy one for the brand. Events will include the Abarth Trophy, with Abarth 500 Assetto Corse and Abarth 695 Assetto Corse Evoluzione as the stars of the show, and the Formula 4 championships in Italy and Germany. Furthermore, this year sees the introduction of the Abarth Cup Classics in which the vintage models will be competing for the first time. .

Digital

“The Scorpionship”, the only Abarth official community dedicated to owners, collectors, Abarth club members and fans, opens on March 1. Everyone can sign up by filling in the specific form on the scorpionship.abarth.com website. The community will be initially operating in Italy, the UK, Germany, Switzerland and France and will be activated across Europe starting from May. “The Scorpionship” members will have access to plenty of exciting advantages, promotions and racing opportunities as well as exclusive invites to meetings for fans.

Stand

The details of the Abarth stand in Geneva are reminiscent of the Officine Abarth, made of iron girders, rough concrete and metal floor plates polished by car tyres. For the public, it will be like visiting the real workshop of a mechanic who is working with skilfully dedication on an engine. It is Carlo Abarth’s heritage, one of hand-crafted care applied to constant technical progress and performance. Today, Officine Abarth is a place rich in history and is projected far, far into the future: it is the ideal setting for the launch of the new Abarth 124 spider.

The new Abarth 124 spider

The new Abarth 124 spider aims at sweeping a new generation off their feet with its performance and technical DNA. It combines the authentic roadster experience packed with thrills, technology, safety and a touch of unmistakable Italian design. The car will be available in September with prices starting from € 40,000 for all Europe.

Performance DNA

The new Abarth 124 spider combines the great sensorial experiences of excitement and driving fun that only a spider can give. Developed with input from the Abarth Racing Team, the car exemplifies at best the distinctive Abarth values: performance, craftsmanship and technical excellence. It is the car that will bring back the smile on the driver’s face.

Rear-Wheel drive architecture with Mechanical Limited-Slip Differential

124 spider is designed for thrills and performance and has all the qualities needed to satisfy even the most difficult-to-please drivers. For exceptional dynamism, the Abarth 124 spider is equipped with a sports mechanical Limited-Slip differential as standard to secure drive and traction in the most critical situations and provide incomparable dynamic behavior.

Perfect weigh distribution and lightweight design

Abarth 124 spider creates a new benchmark in the sporty roadster segment and this is confirmed in numbers. Much of the weight is concentrated between the axles and the engine is installed behind the front axle to guarantee agility and superior driving feel. Sophisticated mechanicals and the use of special materials have contained the weight to just 1,060 kilograms, which results in a weight-to-power ratio of 6.2 kg/HP, the best in its category, and perfect 50/50 weight distribution in running order, which translates in great agility and performance. Taking on board the lessons learned through the Abarth racing series, the weight obsession pushed Abarth to eliminate gram by gram all possible weight: For instance, an active bonnet system was developed in order to comply with the strict passenger collision standards without damaging the weight coefficient or balance of the car. By using sensors on the cross-member and two pyrotechnic loads in the engine compartment, the system recognises danger and deploys in a few milliseconds to guarantee a safety gap and attenuate the collision against the bonnet.

Supercar mechanics and suspensions scheme

The suspension of the 124 spider has a high double-wishbone layout in front and a five-link set up in the rear, specifically tuned for greater braking and cornering stability. Steering ensures a great driving feeling with the use of a dual pinion electric power assist system.

The Abarth dynamic vehicle set-up ensures customers can get the most out of the rear-wheel drivetrain, always aiming for the true driving pleasure. Also the “Abarth by Bilstein” dampers, together with stiffened anti-roll bars, provide ultimate handling and driving comfort.

The Brembo braking system, with aluminum front callipers, guarantees very short braking distances and excellent resistance to brake fade, making the pedal always feel pleasant and safe.

Powerful engine and sporty gearboxes for an extraordinary driving experience

The Abarth 124 spider offered in the EMEA region is equipped with a powerful, reliable four-cylinder 1.4-litre MultiAir Turbo engine. It delivers 170 HP (about 124 HP per litre) and 250 Nm of torque. It has a top speed of 230 km/h and goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.8-seconds. Furthermore, the sound of engine really matters in an Abarth car, so the Record Monza exhaust come equipped as standard, generating a beautiful growling sound.

Throttle-steer driving style

The Abarth 124 spider comes with state-of-the-art electronic devices and active safety featuresbut to ensure the Abarth provides a proper race car feeling when driving on track, the new 124 Spider lets the driver disengage the electronic controls to experience the perfect mechanical balance and linear engine response, the trademarks of a genuine rear-wheel drive sportscar.

Officine Abarth, based in Mirafiori, is where the 124 spider emphasise the typical Italian art of driving.

The 124 receives a special treatment from Abarth technicians, who truly love cars. The Abarth people bring their values to an already great product, by fitting the Racing Anti-glare kit, a matt black treatment for bonnet and boot lid, the Racing Alcantara® Kit that contributes to elevate the overall interior quality, ensuring at the same time a proper sporting feel due to its dark finishing and grip.

The standard-fit Record Monza exhaust is also installed in Officine Abarth, to ensure outstanding engine performance and an unmistakable sound.

Each car is tested and certified by an Abarth technician who applies a metal plate showing the sequential number of each car to certify the exclusiveness of Abarth 124 spider. A unique number for a unique client.

Design true to the Abarth DNA

The design of the Abarth 124 spider reflects the superb mechanical layout of the car, a key element to achieve the perfect proportions for a sport car: A long bonnet to underline the importance of the engine and the powerful attitude of the car, reduced overhangs to emphasize its agile attitude, a cabin close to the rear axle to let the driver feel the road.The passenger compartment-to-bonnet ratio is comparable to that of a racing car. A horizontal line rises from the front and stretches rearward to join with the rear line near the rear light cluster: this is an unmistakable reference to the classic 124 spider.

The design is all about performance: both the front bumper, with its larger air intake, and the rear bumper’s aerodynamic extractor were both shaped in the wind tunnel, as were the rear spoiler and wind stop which both contribute to improving air flow. The 17-inch alloy wheels, the windscreen surround and the roll bars are finished in “Forgiato Grey”, a colour selected to underline the bold, technical inclination of the car.

The original headlights together with the front hexagonal grille contribute to reasserting the car’s bold personality. The bonnet humps suggest the longitudinal position of the engine: this is a direct reference to the original 124 spider. The exclusive LED headlights and rear lights add expressiveness to the car, both during the day and at night. An important detail are the rear light cluster inserts in matching body colour which form a luminous ring-shaped surface.

The rear end of Abarth 124 spider is characterised by two elements: the swallow-tail section rear wings and the horizontal rear lights which pick up particular features of its classic predecessor. The shape of the rear bumpers with the upper surface jutting into the boot lid conveys a characteristic V-shape to the back of the car.

Five body colours are available: special solid “Turini 1975 White ” and “Costa Brava 1972 Red, metallic “Isola d’Elba 1974 Blue”, “Portogallo 1974 Grey” and “San Marino 1972 Black”. The nomenclature is a clear tribute to its prestigious success in rallying.

Interior designThe Abarth DNA is also confirmed inside with an overall focus aimed at guaranteeing ideal ergonomics. The leather seats are supportive and very comfortable at the same time, and allow for a positive driving position as far back and as low as possible to better perceive any lateral movement of the car. Also, the controls are perfectly in tune with the car’s sporty set-up: the position of the aluminium pedal board, the small-diameter steering wheel, the short gear lever and the start button on the dashboard all contribute to conveying a sporty driving experience. The instrument panel includes a large rev counter with red background arranged in central position.

Active and passive safety

The new Abarth 124 Spider is equipped with a host of state-of-the-art active and passive safety devices. In addition to the ABS, standard equipment includes the EBD, for adjusting front and rear brake force distribution so as to optimise braking distances and control in all load conditions of the car,

and ESC for increased control in all driving conditions. It is useful in critical situations, e.g. on corners and mixed surfaces in presence of snow, ice and gravel. The ESC applies selective braking and acts on the accelerator to bring the car back on line if a difference between the driver’s action and trajectory is detected. The ERM is an extension of the ESC system and exploits the sensors to calculate whether the car is approaching a potentially dangerous condition at risk of rolling over. It corrects the risk by applying the brakes separately and modulating the accelerator position as needed. It can be fully disengaged for track driving to allow the driver exploit the Abarth 124 spider’s outstanding balance and dynamic abilities to the full.

The three-point seat belts employ Constant-Force Retractors (CFR) to control the degree of force applied by the belt and then gradually release it in controlled manner.

The LED adaptive headlights are available to guarantee driving pleasure even in poor visibility conditions. They can be equipped with rain sensor and dusk sensor on demand.

Equipment: sportiness and comfort

The following details apply to the EMEA region and may vary according to the various market needs. See the www.fiatpress.com website for complete information.

The new Abarth 124 spider has a three-gauge instrument panel featuring a large rev counter in the middle, a speedometer on the right and a data display on the left allowing the driver to monitor all key driving information at a glance.

Standard equipment includes manual climate control system, stereo with four speakers, MP3 player and USB port, cruise control, adjustable and electrically-folded door mirrors.

Other features available on demand include the infotainment system with an ergonomic and intuitive knob on the central unit. According to the configuration, the system can feature a 7-inch colour display, satellite navigation system, DAB digital tuner, two USB ports, AUX input, Bluetooth connectivity and a rear backup camera.For superior sound quality, a Bose premium sound system with nine speakers, including dual headrest speakers on both seats and a subwoofer, can be chosen.

Racing

Races are a fundamental part of the Abarth DNA. Accessible enrolment and management costs attract an increasing number of competitors year after year. Many drivers are very young and the races are a real opportunity for them to make a name for themselves and be noted in the car racing world. There is more: this year for the first time vintage models will be competing for the Abarth Cup Classics.

The 2016 racing season will be even more intense with the reconfirmation of the Abarth Trophy with Abarth 500 Assetto Corse and Abarth 695 Assetto Corse Evoluzione and the Formula 4 championships in Italy and Germany. This will be the eighth racing season for Abarth 500 in an international championship bringing together drivers from many different countries.

The 2016 Abarth Trophy will count seven events, the first of which will be staged on May 1 on the Monza Race Track, in Italy. The spectacular challenge will continue on May 29 in Imola (Bologna), on June 12 in Misano Adriatico (Rimini) and on July 3 in Magione (Perugia). After crossing the border into Austria on July 24, to reach the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg bei Knittelfeld, the competition will return to Vallelunga (Rome) on September 11before reaching its climax in Mugello (Florence) on October 16.

The Italian F4 Championship powered by Abarth will also consist of seven events of three races each. The races will kick off on April 10 in Misano Adriatico (Rimini) and end on October 16 in Adria (Rovigo). The ADAC Abarth F4 Championship, consisting of eight events with three races each, will start on April 17 on the Oschersleben circuit and end on October 2 in Hockenheim.

During the past season, Formula 4 was the opportunity for many very young drivers coming from the world of karting to show their talent on the race track. International presence is very high in both championships. No fewer than 19 different countries are represented in the Italian championship to further confirm the success of a formula enthusiastically endorsed by the International Automobile Federation and supported by ACI Sport and ADAC, which has chosen Abarth as partner for this exciting adventure.

Given the outstanding success experienced in Italy and Germany, Abarth has decided to support the second edition of the F4 Championship in Germany again this year and to reconfirm its involvement in the Italian Championship as sponsor and official engine supplier. The 1.4 Turbo T-Jet engine with 160 HP, derived from the one fitted on the street-legal 595 and used on the Abarth cars competing in the Abarth Trophies, will be equipping all the cars made by the Italian manufacturer Tatuus again this year. In 2015, forty very young drivers competed in the German Championship and thirty competed in the Italian one.

Innovation cannot depart from tradition for Abarth and this is why the brand has chosen to expand its horizons to the vintage sector by organising the Coppa Abarth Classiche in 2016. With five events in Italy – three hillclimbing races and two track races –, the Coppa Abarth Classiche will be the chance for all vintage Abarth cars to start competing again in a championship with a dedicated jackpot and a number of collateral events during the events. It is another tangible way to pay homage to the Scorpion brand’s history of performance, racing and records and is part of the ambitious “Abarth Classiche” initiative.

From the technical point of view, the Abarth 695 Assetto Corse in 2016 can also be fitted with the new pneumatically-actuated Evoluzione Sequential gearbox with shift paddles. The kit also includes important functions which increase the technical level and the performance appreciated by the drivers even further, like launch control and speed limiter for setting the pit lane entrance speed.Racing customers can also pick a specific kit, with a larger fuel tank and changes to the ride needed to compensate for the shift in weight distribution, for competing in endurance competitions.

Digital“The Scorpionship”, the only Abarth official community dedicated to owners, collectors, Abarth club members and fans, opens on March 1. Everyone can sign up by filling in the specific form on the scorpionship.abarth.com website. The community will be initially operating in Italy, the UK, Germany, Switzerland and France and will be activated across all Europe starting from May.

“The Scorpionship” members will enjoy plenty of interestingly advantages, like access to “Scorpionship News” on the Abarth website dedicated to the community with previews, events and the latest information on products, kits and accessories. Additionally, members can take advantage of dedicated promotions for purchases on the Abarth e-store and for buying Mopar kits and accessories. They can also sign up to take part in special contests with exclusive prizes. Other opportunities ideas include the unique possibility of working with the racing teams during Abarth Trophy competitions or enjoying a weekend at the wheel of an Abarth 695 Biposto.

Members joining the community will receive a personal “Scorpionship Card” allowing to take advantage of promotions, take part in contests and sign up for international events. During the summer, Abarth will be organising the first “The Scorpionship” meeting: a weekend on the race track in the participants’ own cars offering test drive opportunities with professional drivers all under the sign of performance.

Stand and merchandisingOfficine Abarth is moving to Geneva for the launch of Abarth 124 spider! A timeless space will be recreated using materials that reference the original place where the magic of the brand with the Scorpion badge happened: iron, rough concrete, metal floor plates polished by car tyres and metal nettingThe work benches are reminiscent of those of a real car workshop with spanners, girders and raw materials.

The new Abarth stand is designed to show visitors the hand-crafted dedication which is the most authentic element of each and every car that passes through this place – rich in history and projected far, far into the future. Officine Abarth is the place where mechanics work well into the nightand the place where technology and tradition meet in the search for performance at its best.

A new Abarth merchandising range inspired by tune-up kits

Abarth will be presenting the new merchandising range influenced by the boxes used to pack tuning kits in Geneva. The range is inspired by the iconic box used to ship spare parts which is a symbol of the brand’s genuine tuning and performance DNA. The essential collection, in pure Abarth style, is made of real pine wood and includes an Office line and one dedicated to Home & Design accessories. Additionally, the Mopar Store on the Abarth stand will host various collections created in collaboration with prestigious brands, such as Breil and Kappa, and a special collection dedicated to 695 Biposto.

A selection of objects inspired by Abarth 124 Spider, made of premium materials and packed with high-quality details that only the best Italian design can offer, will also be presented in preview.

Finally, with the informative leaflets and the dedicated materials placed on the stand, visitors will get a chance to become acquainted with the products of FCA Bank, the financial company specialising in the automotive sector. The company operates on the main European markets – and in Switzerland through FCA Capital Suisse SA – with a sole mission: to support the sales of all Fiat Chrysler Automobiles brand vehicles by means of innovative financial products and high added value services dedicated to dealer networks, retail customers and companies.

The New Abarth 124 rally

The world première in Geneva for the prototype developed by the Abarth Racing Team.Under the bonnet a powerful 1800 direct injection turbo engine delivering 300 HP.Rear-wheel drive with self-locking differential for second to none performance.Refined technical solutions to make the new Abarth protagonist of the rally.Dedicated to all those who together with the brand share the racing world’s values.

“Left 4 cut, 30 caution jump, right 5 left 3 close, 100, right 2 don’t cut…”

This is the route to challenge yourself, to beat the laws of physics, to write a story made of courage and passion….

Along with the Abarth 124 spider, the first prototype of the 124 rally also has a surprise début. For the first time, the road car and the racing car have been developed and unveiled together.

The new Abarth 124 rally is a combination of pure technology and performance born from the experience of the Abarth Racing Team to bring back the Scorpion to the most glorious and demanding rally tracks, from the sticky sunburnt tarmac to the more slippery ice surfaces.Forty years after its last official race, the 1976 Monte Carlo Rally, the Abarth 124 Rally is back with the same mission: to test road cars’ technical solutions under extreme conditions and to guarantee all Abarth customers excellent performance and maximum reliability.It is dedicated to all those who share the brand’s sense of challenge and racing world values.

Under the bonnet, it fits the 1800 cm3 “bialbero” turbocharged direct injection engine. Thanks to the different selectable mappings, it provides power up to 300 HP at 6500 rpm and optimum torque curve, a key element to allow the driver steering and acceleration balance while oversteering. Performance is breath-taking; acceleration is scorching and marked with full, riveting sound. The project was developed to ensure reliability and performance, even in the extreme conditions typical of rallies: ice, dirt, dust, water, heat.Even the transmission was designed to enhance performance: the engine is coupled to a quick 6-speed sequential gearbox with shift paddles and traction is assured by the mechanical limited slip differential.

Racing, for Abarth, is not only adrenaline, but also testing grounds to experiment with solutions that guarantee performance and excitement. To enhance the 124 rally’s competitiveness, the Abarth Racing Team’s engineers have worked with precise objectives: first of all, weight reduction and overall balance. For this reason, the engine is mounted behind the front axle; for the cockpit and the engine compartment, light, resistant materials were used, while the soft top was replaced by a fixed composite hard top. With these features, weight distribution leans slightly towards the rear axle, ensuring maximum traction even in low grip conditions. The centre of gravity was further lowered as compared to the road car to the advantage of road grip and straightforward performance.

The new Abarth 124 spider was born light and agile, and the rally edition was further refined to star in competitions. Homologation in the FIA R-GT category has required structural reinforcements to guarantee even greater stress resistance and the highest safety standards for the crew, and the body now has a safety roll cage. The whole design has been engineered for maximum efficiency and ergonomics, to ensure driver and co-driver not only superior performance, but also attention to every minute detail, such as the arrangement of interior controls and available space in the cockpit.

Rally cars undergo extreme stress; this is why the superb mechanical layout of the standard production car has been further developed: the high front-end double wishbone suspension and multi-link rear suspension have specific kinematic features with metal joints for maximum steering precision, ample control on corners, greater excursion for handling different road surfaces and adjustable dampers settings guarantee always superior grip in every situation.

In conclusion the project code, SE139, has a great deal of history that goes back directly to Karl Abarth. The SE stands for “Sports” and “Esperimental”, a direct link to the Abarth values of craftsmanship and Technical Upgrade. While the 139 progressive number exemplifies that in 67 years of history, Abarth has managed to develop an average of two racing projects per year. A great accomplishment that only a few other car manufactures can be proud of.

A great team to bring back Abarth on the rally stage

Team Abarth has worked very hard to select best in class technical partners and sponsors.Among these, Petronas Selenia that has always been at the forefront in developing technologically advanced and high performance lubricants and it has contributed in the engine development. While Adler Pelzer Group was greatly involved in making crafting composite components for the car and Michelin is the technical partner for tires development.The Abarth 124 rally project is also a great showcase for a number of Italian companies which have been involved in racing for many years. As is the case for Sabelt, one of the most well-known brand in motorsport, which contributes with its bucket-seats, seatbelts and other safety equipment, and also for Kappa, the leading sportswear brand worn by the entire “Abarth Squadra Corse”. For what concerns the mechanics of the car, LM Gianetti, a company born some 40 years ago and witnessed the development of the first Abarth 124 Rally, has closely worked with Abarth’s Technical Team to reengineer completely the bodywork and the suspensions scheme. Whilst, EXT SHOX has contributed with its specific know-how in the development of 4-way adjustable dampers used for the first time in a Rally car.BMC has supported the team in developing the air-intake system of the car, which it is crucial to allow constant and reliable engine performance. The lightweight, but at the same time robust racing wheels, have been developed and crafted by OZ, the legend in motorsport.In conclusion, as for the road-going model, Alcantara® has completely revamped the interior of the car starting from the dashboard to the seats trimming, with 100% “Made in Italy” technology contributing to saving weight and reduce sun reflections towards the interior of the car, allowing no interferences for the driver enhancing the driver grip on the steering wheel.

The team has worked with great passion to revamp a rally icon as the Abarth 124 rally, a rear wheel drive transmission is synonym of great fun for the drivers, but also for the public. Surely, people will queue up to see pass by the new 124 Abarth rally and see it powerslide, which have become very rare today.The new 124 rally developed with the best of technology available today, contributes to bring back sweet memories from the past of rallying in the 70’s were competitions were more engaging and gathering massive crowds.After the Geneva MotorShow unveiling, Abarth opens the pre-booking phase to prepare your début in the 2017 rally season.