By Evan McCausland
When is a Ferrari not a Ferrari? Apparently, when it's a Fiat...
Meet the new Fiat Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari, which debuts at the 2009 Frankfurt motor show. Built upon the Abarth 500 esseesse, Fiat says the Ferrari-themed compact car is designed to give Ferrari customers "a small but exciting small car for urban mobility."
That's not entirely a new concept -- after all, Aston Martin pitched with its Toyota-based Cygnet -- but we think sports car purveyors may actually enjoy this punched-up compact car. Pop the hood, and you'll find Fiat's turbocharged 1.4-liter I-4. We're told the engine delivers "over 180 hp," and manages to crank out 169 lb-ft of torque at 3300 rpm. As is the case with a standard 500 Abarth esseesse, the Tributo Ferrari sends its power to the front wheels via a five-speed semi-automatic transmission.
The Tributo Ferrari also receives a special sport suspension, Brembo four-piston brake calipers up front, and 17-inch wheels patterned after Ferrari's rolling stock. We're told the 695 can reach a top speed of 140 mph, and can spring from 0 to 62 mph in under 7 seconds, making it slightly faster than an 500 Abarth esseesse. A special leather-trimmed interior, complete with Ferrari-inspired gauges, is also par for the course.
Fiat hasn't specified exactly how many of the limited-edition 695 Tributo Ferrari models will be built, but every example will come painted in "Scuderia Red."
Fiat Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari
