Abarth

---

title: "Abarth" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["abarth", "italian-companies-established-in-1949", "auto-tuning-companies", "car-brands", "car-manufacturers-of-italy", "fiat", "italian-brands", "italian-racecar-constructors", "motorsports-and-performance-divisions-of-motor-vehicle-manufacturers", "stellantis", "motor-vehicle-manufacturers-based-in-turin", "vehicle-manufacturing-companies-established-in-1949"] description: "Italian car manufacturer" topic_path: "geography/italy" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abarth" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary Italian car manufacturer ::

::data[format=table title="Infobox company"]

Field	Value
name	Abarth & C. S.p.A.
logo	New Fiat Abarth Logo.png
logo_size	150
trading_name
native_name
native_name_lang
type	Subsidiary
industry	Automotive
foundation
founder	Carlo Abarth
location_city	Turin
location_country	Italy

| | locations | | | area_served | | | key_people | | | parent | Stellantis Europe | | homepage | | ::

| name = Abarth & C. S.p.A. | logo = New Fiat Abarth Logo.png | logo_size = 150 | logo_caption = | trading_name = | native_name = | native_name_lang = | former type = | type = Subsidiary | traded_as = | industry = Automotive | fate = | predecessor = | successor = | foundation = | founder = Carlo Abarth | location_city = Turin | location_country = Italy

| locations = | area_served = | key_people = | products = | production = | services = | revenue = | operating_income = | net_income = | assets = | equity = | owner = | num_employees = | parent = Stellantis Europe | divisions = | subsid = | homepage = | footnotes = | intl = Abarth & C. S.p.A. () is an Italian racing- and road-car maker and performance division founded by Italo-Austrian Carlo Abarth in 1949. Abarth & C. S.p.A. is owned by Stellantis through its Italian subsidiary. Abarth's logo is a shield with a stylized scorpion on a yellow and red background, a short, wide Italian flag in the middle, and "Abarth" text on a black background.

History

1949: Abarth & C.

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/ed/1950-Abarth205Monza.jpg" caption="A 1950 205A, one of the first Abarth cars"] ::

Carlo Abarth was sporting director of the Cisitalia racing team starting in 1947. The following year, the manufacturer folded, and founder Piero Dusio flew to Argentina.

Abarth, funded by Armando Scagliarini, took over Cisitalia's assets and on 31 March 1949, Abarth & C. was founded in Bologna. 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. The Cisitalia 204s were immediately rechristened Abarth Cisitalia 204A. Abarth proceeded to build and race a series of sports cars developed from these 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 204A, winning its class in the Palermo–Monte Pellegrino hillclimb on 10 April 1950. 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.

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

In 1957, Abarth entered a deal with Fiat whereby they were paid direct fees for successful competition finishes. Abarth accordingly went on to enter their cars in countless hillclimbing and sports-car racing events across the world, mainly in classes from 850 to 2000 cc, competing with Porsche 904 and Ferrari Dino in the higher echelons. Since they were paid based on the number of results, Abarth entered their cars in every conceivable class and in countries across the entire world.

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

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e5/Fiat_Abarth_595_-Automotoretrò_2012(6864198535).jpg" caption="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 collector's 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 due partly to the exhaust that Abarth developed for them.

In 1958, Abarth developed the Abarth Alfa Romeo 1000 in collaboration with the Milanese manufacturer. They sent an engineer, Mario Colucci, to oversee the process. Abarth was impressed with his skill, and while the car remained a one-off, Colucci was given the position of Abarth's Technical Director in 1960. Colucci's first design was a mid-engined, tubular framed roadster using the 750 engine called the Abarth Spider Sport. This car had an unfortunate gestation period and never attained much success in competition, while Abarth himself favored the rear-engine layout and kept offering both types. The Spider Sport series was also built with 700 and 1000 cc displacements, while a few late examples were fitted with 1300 cc engines of Simca origins. Colucci's next design, the Group 4 1000 SP, was much more successful and spawned a range of mid-engined, tubular-framed, fibreglass-bodied sports prototypes.

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

1971: Fiat takeover

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

Under Fiat ownership, Abarth became the Fiat Group's racing department, managed by engine designer Aurelio Lampredi. Abarth prepared Fiat's rally cars, including the Fiat 124 Abarth Rally and 131 Abarth. 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). 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. 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 specialised 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". The A112 Abarth was introduced with a 58 hp engine, soon followed by a 70 hp one, and a specific "A112 Abarth trophy" was run from 1977 to 1984.

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., 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. The CEO as of 2022 is Olivier François.

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 was based on the 847 cc inline-triple standard neo-retro Yamaha XSR900.

List of CEOs

Current Olivier François (since 2011)

Previous CEOs

• Carlo Abarth (1949–1971)
• Harald Wester (2010–2011)

Production

Current models

::data[format=table]

New 500e	Pulse	Fastback	600e
Class: City car (A)
Body style: 3-door hatchback
3-door cabriolet
Production: 2023–present	Class: Subcompact crossover (B)
Body style: 5-door hatchback
Production: 2022–present	Class: Subcompact crossover SUV (B)
Body style: 5-door coupe SUV
Production: 2023–present	Class: Subcompact crossover SUV (B)
Body style: 5-door SUV
Production: 2024–present
[[File:Abarth_500e_IMG_7996.jpg	200x200px]]	[[File:Abarth Pulse (cropped).jpg	200x200px]]
::

Past models

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/eb/Fiat_Abarth_750_(3).JPG" caption="Fiat Abarth 750"] ::

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f2/1955_Abarth_209A_Coupe_Boano_photo3.JPG" caption="Abarth 209A Boano Coupe"] ::

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/aa/Château-Savigny-lès-Beaune_06.jpg" caption="Abarth race cars ([[Osella]] 2000 Sport PA1 del 1973)"] ::

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a1/Fiat_Abarth-rear.jpg" caption="Fiat Abarth 1000"] ::

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f5/Monomille_1.jpg" caption="date=24 March 2007 }}"] ::

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d1/Markku_Alén_-_1978_Rally_Finland.jpg" caption="1000 Lakes Rally"] ::

Standalone models (original bodywork)

• Abarth 204A
• Abarth 205A Berlinetta
• Abarth 207A Spyder Corsa Boano
• Abarth 208A Spyder Boano
• Abarth 209A Coupé Boano
• Abarth 210A Spyder Boano
• Abarth 215A Coupé Bertone
• Abarth 216A Spyder Bertone
• Fiat Abarth 1000 SP
• Abarth 1100 Scorpione Spider (Boano)
• Abarth 1500 Biposto
• Abarth 3000 Prototipo
• Fiat-Abarth 750
• Fiat-Abarth 750 Zagato
• Fiat-Abarth 750 Spider Allemano
• Fiat-Abarth 1000 OTR Berlinetta Bertone
• Abarth OT 1300
• Abarth Monomille

Fiat variant models

• Fiat-Abarth 500
• Fiat-Abarth 595 SS
• Fiat-Abarth 695 SS
• Fiat-Abarth 850 TC
• Fiat-Abarth 1000 TC (Fiat 600 based)
• Fiat Abarth 1000 TCR Berlina
• Fiat-Abarth OT1000
• Fiat Abarth OTR 1000
• Fiat-Abarth OT1600
• Fiat-Abarth OT 2000 Competition Coupé
• Fiat-Abarth 2200
• Fiat-Abarth 2400
• Fiat Ritmo 125/130 TC Abarth
• Fiat Abarth 124 Rally
• Fiat 131 Abarth Rally

Other variant models

• Abarth Simca 1300 GT
• Abarth Simca 2000 – coupé
• Alfa Romeo Abarth 2000 Coupe
• Porsche 356 B Carrera GTL Abarth
• Abarth Grand Prix/Scorpione
• Lancia Rally 037
• Autobianchi A112 Abarth

Cars not produced by Abarth but with Abarth badges

• Fiat Bravo GT/HGT (Abarth)
• Fiat Stilo 2.4 Abarth
• Fiat Punto HGT (Abarth)
• Fiat Cinquecento Sporting (Abarth)
• Fiat Seicento Sporting (Abarth)

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

• Abarth 500 / Fiat 500 Abarth (NA)
• Abarth 595
• Abarth 695
• Abarth Grande Punto
• Abarth Punto Evo
• Abarth 124 Spider / Fiat 124 Spider Abarth (NA)
• Fiat Abarth Punto
• Abarth Pulse
• Abarth Fastback
• Abarth 600e

Cars produced with Abarth tuning

• Fiat 500 TwinAir byAbarth
• Fiat 500S by Abarth
• Fiat Avventura Powered by Abarth
• Fiat Urban Cross Powered by Abarth
• Fiat Fastback Limited Edition Powered by Abarth

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

• Fiat Punto Abarth (rally version only)
• Fiat Cinquecento 900 Trofeo kitcar (teams had to build up their own rallycar from Fiat N Technology derived Abarth racingparts)
• Fiat Cinquecento Sporting 1.1 Rally car
• Fiat Seicento Sporting 1.1 Rally car

Motorsport

Rally

::data[format=table]

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

FIA R-GT Cup

• 2017 FIA R-GT Cup (Runner-up)
• 2018 FIA R-GT Cup (Champion)
• 2019 FIA R-GT Cup (Champion)
• 2020 FIA R-GT Cup (Champion)

Explanatory notes

References

References

1. "2014 Annual Report". [[Fiat Chrysler Automobiles]].
2. "Alfredo Altavilla - FCA Group".
3. "Abarth wants 100 dealers in Europe". autonews.com.
4. "Abarth Logo: Design and History". Famouslogos.net.
5. Boscarelli, Lorenzo. "Abarth: le corse". Associazione Italiana per la Storia dell'Automobile.
6. Avidano, Renzo. "Carlo Abarth - Il compendio di una vita per le auto e le corse". Associazione Italiana per la Storia dell'Automobile.
7. "Karl Abarth, the man and his history".
8. (13 August 1953). "Quando venne a Torino per la sua ultima gara". [[La Stampa.
9. (12 April 1951). "Le attrattive del Salone". [[La Stampa.
10. "1952 Abarth 1500 Biposto Coupé".
11. Mallett, Delwyn. (December 2004). "Hot Abarths".
12. "The history of Abarth". abarthcarsuk.com.
13. "125 Model D Racer".
14. (7 October 2013). "Lambretta World Land Speed Record Scooter".
15. "Alfa Romeo Abarth 1000". FCA Italy S.p.A..
16. [[#DM04. Mallett (2004)]], p. 95.
17. "Fiat Abarth 1000 SP". FCA Italy S.p.A..
18. (March 2023). "Porsche 356B Carrera GTL Abarth".
19. Greggio, Luciano.. (2002). "Abarth : the man, the machines". G. Nada.
20. (16 October 1971). "L'Abarth entra nel gruppo Fiat". [[La Stampa]].
21. Avidano, Renzo. "I rapporti con la Fiat". Associazione Italiana per la Storia dell'Automobile.
22. Fenu, Michele. (6 December 1977). "Rally, Fiat e Lancia si uniscono in un nuovo "super-squadrone"". [[La Stampa]].
23. . (2020-01-14). ["Autobianchi A112 Abarth 58 HP"](https://www.fcaheritage.com/it-it/heritage/storie/autobianchi-a112-abarth-58-hp). *[[Fiat Chrysler Automobiles*.
24. Borgomeo, Vincenzo. (23 January 2007). "Svolta Fiat: torna l'Abarth e diventa marchio indipendente". [[La Repubblica]].
25. {{usurped
26. "XSR900 Abarth". [[Yamaha Motor Company.
27. (2011-12-09). "Chrysler's Don Draper".
28. "The history of Abarth". abarthcarsuk.com.
29. (24 March 2007). "The Abarth Monomille". scuderialafortuna.blogspot.com.
30. [http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/car/5858/Abarth-209A-Boano-Coupe.html ''Abarth 209A Boano Coupe'', www.ultimatecarpage.com] Retrieved on 15 July 2014
31. "1956 Abarth 750 (Bertone)".
32. [http://bringatrailer.com/2008/03/25/authentic-usa-spec-abarth-1958-fiat-750/ Authentic USA-Spec Abarth: 1958 Fiat 750] Retrieved on 2 April 2011
33. The Observer's Book of Automobiles, Thirteenth Edition, 1967, page 27

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