Abarth Will Build a New Platform for its Two-Seater

The management at the famous Scorpion factory has decided that the future Abarth sports two-seater will be built on a brand new platform. In the initial phases of development, this sports car was going to be based either on the platform of the Lotus Elise or on the one that underpins the KTM X-Bow.

The model will have a body shape similar to that of the Elise and will come equipped with a stylish targa-top roof. Fiat will use own-developed rims with ten spokes, finished in the traditional Abarth grey and red color scheme.

The body of the concept shows the combination Abarth is so well known for: a gray-ish white coupled with red and black accents and inscriptions. As always, the car is festooned with as many of the company’s aggressive Scorpion logos as possible.

Engine wise, the sports car will come with a 1.4-liter Turbo MultiAir tuned unit able to produce around 180 hp. Unique to this model however will be the powerplant taking a central-transverse position for better weight distribution. Completing the sporty package, a dual-clutch gearbox will deliver the power to the rear wheels.

This thoroughbred sports car should be finished in 2013, according to sources quoted by Autocar magazine. The compact sportscar will come with a EUR30,000 price tag according to the same sources. This will place it directly in the line of fire of the next generation Lotus Elise, unveiled at the 2010 Paris Auto Show. Even if the Italian manufacturer might struggle to match Lotus in terms of handling, we are confident Abarth will deliver a model exclusive enough to justify the high price.