Abarth

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Abarth & C. S.p.A.
Subsidiary (S.p.A.)
Industry Automotive
Founded 31 March 1949; 75 years ago (1949-03-31)
Founder Carlo Abarth
Headquarters Turin, Italy[1]:304
Area served
 EMEA[1]:44
Key people
Owner Fiat Chrysler Automobiles
Parent FCA Italy
Website abarth.it

Abarth & C. S.p.A. (pronounced [ˈabart]) is an Italian racing and road car maker and performance division founded by Italo-Austrian Carlo Abarth in 1949.[3] Abarth & C. S.p.A. is a fully-owned subsidiary of FCA Italy S.p.A. (formerly Fiat Group Automobiles S.p.A.), the subsidiary of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (formerly of Fiat S.p.A.) that controls its European automotive production activities. Its logo is a shield with a stylized scorpion on a yellow and red background.[4]

History

1949: Abarth & C.

A 1950 205A, one of the first Abarth cars

Carlo Abarth was sporting director of the Cisitalia factory racing team starting in 1947.[5] 1948 saw the financial downfall of Cisitalia, spurred by the investments needed to put the 202 coupé into production. The following year the manufacturer folded, and founder Piero Dusio flew to Argentina. Carlo Abarth, funded by Armando Scagliarini,[lower-alpha 1] took over Cisitalia's assets and on 31 March 1949 Abarth & C. was founded in Bologna.[6][7] Carlo's astrological sign, Scorpio, was chosen as the company logo. From the Cisitalia liquidation Abarth obtained five 204 sports cars (two complete Spiders and three unfinished), a D46 single seater and various spares.[5] The 204s were immediately rechristened Abarth 204 A.[5] Abarth built and raced sports cars developed from the last Cisitalia cars. In addition to Guido Scagliarini, the "Squadra Abarth" racing team lined up celebrated drivers including Tazio Nuvolari, Franco Cortese and Piero Taruffi. Notably Tazio Nuvolari made his last appearance in racing at the wheel of an Abarth 204 A, winning its class in the Palermo–Monte Pellegrino hillclimb on 10 April 1950.[8] Alongside racing, the company's main activity was producing and selling accessories and performance parts for Fiat, Lancia, Cisitalia and Simca cars, like inlet manifolds and silencers.[9]

On 9 April 1951 the company's headquarters were moved to Turin;[7] Abarth began his well-known association with Fiat in 1952, when it built the Abarth 1500 Biposto on Fiat mechanicals.[10]

In the 1960s, Abarth was successful in hillclimbing and sports car racing, mainly in classes from 850 cc to 2000 cc, competing with Porsche 904 and Ferrari Dino. Hans Herrmann was a factory driver from 1962 until 1965, winning the 500 km Nürburgring in 1963 with Teddy Pilette.[11]

Abarth promised Johann Abt that he could race a factory car free if he won all the races he entered.[when?] Abt almost succeeded: of the 30 races he entered, Abt won 29 and finished second once.[when?][11] Abt later founded Abt Sportsline.

Abarth 595, derived from the Fiat 500

Abarth produced high-performance exhaust pipes, diversifying into tuning kits for road vehicles, mainly for Fiat. A racing exhaust was produced for the 1950s Lambretta models "D" and "LD". Original Abarth LD exhausts are now valuable collectors' items. Reproductions are available which carry the Abarth name, how Fiat feels about this is not known. Lambretta even held several 125 cc motorcycle land speed records during the 1950s thanks partly to the exhaust that Abarth developed for them.[12][13]

Abarth also helped build sports or racing cars with Porsche[14] and Simca.

1971: Fiat takeover

Carlo sold Abarth to Fiat on 31 July 1971.[11][15] The acquisition was not made public until 15 October.[16] As Fiat was not interested in the Reparto Corse racing operations, these were taken over by Enzo Osella.[11] Osella obtained cars, spares, technicians and drivers (amongst them Arturo Merzario), and continued the racing activity founding the Osella racing team.[17] Thus ended for Abarth the days of sport prototype and hill climb racing.

Under Fiat ownership, Abarth became the Fiat Group's racing department, managed by engine designer Aurelio Lampredi.[11] Abarth prepared Fiat's rally cars, including the Fiat 124 Abarth Rally and 131 Abarth.[11] In December 1977, in advance of the 1978 racing season, the beforehand competing Abarth and Squadra Corse Lancia factory racing operations were merged by Fiat into a single entity named EASA (Ente per l'Attività Sportiva Automobilistica, Organization for Car Sports Racing Activities).[18] Cesare Fiorio (previously in charge of the Lancia rally team) was appointed director, while Daniele Audetto was sporting director; the EASA headquarters were set up in Abarth's Corso Marche (Turin) offices.[18] The combined racing department developed the Lancia Beta Montecarlo Turbo Group 5 racing car which won the 1980 World Championship for Makes and the 1981 World Endurance Championship of Makes. It also created the Lancia Rally 037 Group B rally car which won for Lancia the 1983 World Manufacturers' Championship).

On 1 October 1981, Abarth & C. ceased to exist and was replaced by Fiat Auto Gestione Sportiva, a division of the parent company specialized in the management of racing programmes that would remain in operation through to the end of 1999, when it changed to Fiat Auto Corse S.p.A.

Some commercial models built by Fiat or its subsidiaries Lancia and Autobianchi were co-branded Abarth, including the Autobianchi A112 Abarth, a lightweight and inexpensive "boy racer". A112 Abarth was introduced with a 58HP engine, soon followed by a 70HP one, and a specific "A112 Abarth trophy" was run from 1977 to 1984.[19]

In the 1980s, Abarth name was mainly used to mark performance cars, such as the Fiat Ritmo Abarth 125/130 TC.

In 2000s, Fiat used the Abarth brand to designate a trim/model level, as in the Fiat Stilo Abarth.

2007: Rebirth of Abarth & C. S.p.a.

On 1 February 2007 Abarth was re-established as an independent unit with the launch of the current company, Abarth & C. S.p.a.,[20] controlled 100% by Fiat Group Automobiles S.p.A., the subsidiary of Fiat S.p.A. dealing with the production and selling of passenger cars and light commercial vehicles.

The first models launched were the Abarth Grande Punto and the Abarth Grande Punto S2000. The brand is based in the Officine 83, part of the old Mirafiori engineering plant.[21] The CEO as of 2011 is Harald Wester.[22]

In 2015, Abarth's parent company was renamed FCA Italy S.p.A., reflecting the incorporation of Fiat S.p.A. into Fiat Chrysler Automobiles that took place in the previous months.

Yamaha XSR900 Abarth

In 2017, Abarth collaborated with Yamaha to produce a limited-edition motorcycle, the "Sport Heritage café racer special", named the XSR900 Abarth. It is based on the Yamaha XSR900 847 cc inline-triple neo-retro standard.[23]

Production

Current models

Abarth 500 Abarth 500C Abarth 124 Spider
125px Abarth 500C rear Poznan 2011.jpg 125px
Fiat Abarth 750
Abarth 209A Boano Coupe
Abarth race cars (Osella 2000 Sport PA1 del 1973)
Fiat Abarth 1000
1961 Abarth Monomille, rebodied Fiat 600 chassis[24]

Cars produced by Abarth

Fiat 131 Abarth driven by Markku Alén at the 1978 1000 Lakes Rally

Cars not produced by Abarth but with Abarth badges

Cars produced under Abarth & C. S.p.A. (2007–)

Cars produced by other manufacturers with involvement from Abarth

  • Lancia Delta S4 for Group B – Helped to engineer the engine which utilised a supercharger and turbocharger.

Cars produced under Fiat Corse – N Technology named Abarth

Motorsport

Rally

Year Car Driver 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 DC Points MC Points
2007 Fiat Grande Punto Abarth S2000 Italy Andrea Navarra KEN
1		 TUR
2		 BEL
3		 RUS
4		 POR
Ret		 CZE
7		 ITA
10		 SWI
Ret		 CHI 3rd 32 2nd 90
Italy Umberto Scandola KEN
Ret		 TUR BEL
5		 RUS POR CZE ITA
4		 SWI
3		 CHI 6th 15
Finland Anton Alén KEN TUR
4		 BEL RUS
1		 POR CZE
Ret		 ITA SWI CHI 7th 15
Italy Giandomenico Basso KEN TUR BEL RUS POR
1		 CZE ITA
2		 SWI CHI 5th 18
2008 Fiat Grande Punto Abarth S2000 Italy Giandomenico Basso TUR
Ret		 POR
4		 BEL
6		 RUS
3		 POR
2		 CZE
Ret		 ESP
1		 ITA
1		 SWI
5		 CHI 3rd 32 2nd 74
Finland Anton Alén TUR
3		 POR
Ret		 BEL
11		 RUS
2		 POR CZE
Ret		 ESP
6		 ITA
8		 SWI
6		 CHI 5th 21
Italy Umberto Scandola TUR POR BEL RUS POR
7		 CZE ESP ITA
Ret		 SWI
Ret		 CHI 28th 2
Italy Renato Travaglia TUR POR BEL RUS POR CZE ESP ITA
4		 SWI CHI 6th* 19*
Italy Alessio Pissi TUR POR BEL RUS POR CZE ESP ITA
13		 SWI CHI - 0
Italy Andrea Navarra TUR POR BEL RUS POR CZE ESP ITA
Ret		 SWI CHI - 0
2009 Fiat Grande Punto Abarth S2000 Italy Giandomenico Basso MON
5		 BRA
3		 KEN POR
Ret		 BEL
8		 RUS
3		 POR
1		 CZE
Ret		 ESP
8		 ITA SCO 5th 28 4th 43
Finland Anton Alén MON
Ret		 BRA
Ret		 KEN POR
14		 BEL RUS
7		 POR CZE ESP ITA SCO 34th 3
Italy Luca Rossetti MON
Ret		 BRA KEN POR BEL RUS POR
Ret		 CZE
10		 ESP ITA
2		 SCO 10th 8
Belgium Bernd Casier MON BRA KEN POR BEL
14		 RUS POR CZE ESP ITA SCO - 0
Spain Miguel Fuster MON BRA KEN POR BEL RUS POR CZE ESP
Ret		 ITA SCO - 0
Italy Umberto Scandola MON BRA KEN POR BEL RUS POR CZE ESP ITA
11		 SCO - 0
Belgium François Duval MON BRA KEN POR BEL RUS POR CZE ESP ITA
Ret		 SCO - 0
2010 Fiat Grande Punto Abarth S2000 Italy Luca Rossetti MON BRA ARG CAN ITA BEL AZO MAD CZE ITA
5		 SCO CYP 22nd 4 6th 6
Italy Giandomenico Basso MON BRA ARG CAN ITA BEL AZO MAD CZE ITA
7		 SCO CYP 36th 2

FIA R-GT Cup

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ Father of Cisitalia racing driver Guido Scagliarini

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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  3. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  4. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  6. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  8. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  9. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  10. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 11.4 11.5 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  12. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  13. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  14. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  15. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  16. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  17. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  19. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  20. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  21. ↑ Abarth's new premises in Turin Archived 6 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine from duemotori.it (18 Feb 2008)
  22. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  23. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  24. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  25. ↑ Authentic USA-Spec Abarth: 1958 Fiat 750 Retrieved on 2 April 2011
  26. ↑ Abarth 209A Boano Coupe, www.ultimatecarpage.com Retrieved on 15 July 2014
  27. ↑ The Observer's Book of Automobiles, Thirteenth Edition, 1967, page 27
  28. ↑ 28.0 28.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.

External links

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Type 1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s 2020s
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1
City car 500 (Cabrio)
126 Cinquecento Seicento / 600 New 500 (Cabrio)
Panda I Panda II Panda III
Subcompact car Hatch 127 Punto I Punto II Punto ClassicRS Punto ClassicRS
Uno Palio Grande Punto / Punto Evo / Punto
Sedan Duna Siena Albea
CUV Sedici 500X
MPV Idea 500L
Cabriolet Ritmo Cabrio Punto Cabrio
Compact car Hatch Ritmo Tipo Bravo I / Brava Stilo Bravo II Tipo / Egea
Sedan 128
131 Regata Tempra Marea Linea Tipo / Egea
MPV Multipla
Mid-size car Sedan 132 Argenta Croma I
SW Croma II
CUV Freemont
MPV Ulysse I Ulysse II
Sports car Spider Spidereuropa * Barchetta 124 Spider (Abarth)
Coupé X1/9 Coupé
LAV Fiorino I Fiorino II Fiorino III / Qubo
Doblò I Doblò II
LCV Daily Scudo I Scudo II Talento
Ducato I Ducato II Ducato III
Mini pickup Strada
Pickup Fullback
Off-road Campagnola (1107)
Legend
  •      Manufactured by Tofaş in Turkey
  •      Manufactured by Pininfarina from 1981
  •      Manufactured by Maggiora in Italy until 2002
  •      Manufactured by Bertone from 1982
  •      Manufactured by Mazda in Japan
  •      Manufactured by Suzuki in Hungary
  •      Manufactured by Sevel Nord (FCA/PSA) in France
  •      Manufactured by Chrysler in Mexico
  •      Manufactured by Renault in France
  •      Manufactured by Sevel Sud in Italy
  •      Manufactured by Mitsubishi in Thailand
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