FiatPuntoEvo

Abarth to present 500C and Punto Evo at Geneva Show

Not everyone can afford a Ferrari. And not everybody who can would opt to drive one every day, not when the cost of fuel and easily-damaged replacement parts are so high. Fortunately, Ferrari has a little brother. It's called Abarth. And while their products are considerably smaller, they pack a lot of attitude.

Abarth's entire line-up is based on two Fiat hatchbacks: the work-a-day Punto and the popular retro 500. Since both those Fiats have received updates recently, Abarth is back on it with two new versions of its own, and both are bound for the upcoming Geneva Motor Show.

The Abarth 500C is based on the fixed-roof 500, but features a folding fabric roof between two solid arches, offering open-air cruising without compromising structural integrity or the car's profile. Abarth has fitted it with a 140-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine, plus upgraded suspension, wheels, brakes, aero kit and an aggressive two-tone paint scheme.

The latest Abarth Punto, meanwhile, starts with the recently updated Punto Evo, and packs in a 165hp 1.4-liter turbo MultiAir four, with a 178hp version available as well. While the Punto isn't expected to reach the North American market, the 500 and its various variants are. Have a closer look in the galleries below.

Gallery: Abarth 500C