Carlo Abarth: Italian Madness

Abarth started out in the automotive business working at the Castagna factory.

After founding Cisitalia with a few other engineers, Abarth design an build the Tipo 360, a Formula 1 prototype commissioned by Ferdinand Porsche himself.

In 1949, Carlo moves to Modena and found Abarth & C, which designed sport exhausts and built racecars. The scorpion in the logo comes from Mr. Abarth astrological sign.

The first collaboration between Fiat and Abarth resulted in this 1500 Biposto.

During the sixties, the brand became known for building tough racecars, one of which won the 500 km of Nurburgring in 1963.

In 1965, Abarth takes the small Fiat 500 and completely overhaul the engine, creating the 595 Abarth. Power went from 22 to 30 horsepower, 0-60 km/h times were halved, and the small car could hit 120 km/h.

Around 1968, Carlo made a wager with one of his best pilots, Johann Abt (who later founded Abt Sportline): if he won all the race in which he entered, his season would not cost him a penny. He almost made it: in 30 races, he won 29 times and managed to finish second once!

In 1971, Fiat buys Abarth, but Carlo remain as CEO.

Abarth is now tasked with building Fiat's rally cars.

During the eighties, the Abarth name was used on sportier models.

At the turn of the century, Abarth was just a trim level.

2007: The brand comes back from the dead, and it is tasked with producing high-performance cars once again. The first car to come out of their factory is the Fiat Grande Punto Abarth.

One year later, Abarth decides to work its magic on the new 500. The resulting car sports a 133 horsepower engine, but the Essesse package can bring it up to 160.

The car is a huge success, and special editions of the 500 Abarth are launched: here, a 695 Tributo Ferrari, built to honor the storied brand from Maranello.

On our side of the ocean, the first Abarth 500 is launched in 2011. It comes standard with the Essesse kit, meaning it has 160 horsepower.

A convertible is also offered.

This is the most powerful Abarth ever produced, the Biposto. it goes from 0 to 100 in 5.9 seconds, only weighs 997 kg and is powered by a 190 horsepower mill.