Fiat 500 Abarth and EV Coming Stateside Next Year, Four-door in 2013

Everybody was skeptical of Fiat’s success on US soil with the little 500, but through the careful use of the marketing machine and a lot of appeal added from custom trim and features, the sub-compact is now a hit.

Thus, it’s only natural that Fiat wants to extend the appeal of the model, by adding a couple of new versions to the 500 and 500C starting next year. According to Automotive News, the cars arriving next year are the Abarth version and the electric one that’s being developed at Chrysler's Technical Center in Auburn Hills, Michigan.

There’s even talk of a four-door version of the car that will have four seats and a high-roof configuration. This might not be based on the 500’s platform, but it will surely add a bit of family appeal to the cramped city car.

The 500 Abarth that’s due to arrive on US soil will bring with it a tuned 1.4-liter turbocharged engine and 160 horsepower. It will also have much stiffer suspension, bigger tires and exterior changes like flared wheelarches.

As for the new electric vehicle, the 500 EV is tested right now at the center of electric powertrain expertise in the Chrysler-Fiat alliance. It will come with a hefty price tag of $32,000, with the batteries that are coming from SB LiMotive accounting for half the car's cost.

The four-door version of the car, details are scarce, but it’s due out in 2013. The aforementioned source adds that the small people mover is scheduled to debut next March at the Geneva auto show.