Autoblog UK

Abarth's new rally car is coming out soon. The 500 R3T is set to make its debut at the 51st Rally di Sanremo. This latest Abarth is powered by a 180bhp 1.4L turbocharged petrol engine with a sequential six-speed gearbox. We are told it will weigh in at just 1.080 kilos, i.e. the minimum permissible in the R3T class. The rally version of the Abarth 500 will be competing next year in this category for turbocharged vehicles with a capacity of up to 1.6 litres.

Dressed up in new garb and sporting a new name, the former Fiat Grande Punto arrives in the showrooms this October. Having received a considerable makeover on the outside, this compact car has been rechristened the Punto Evo. Available as a three- or five-door version, it grins at potential purchasers with a huge shark's maw radiator grille. Design changes at the front and the rear have stretched it by three centimetres to its new overall length of 4.06 metres, not that this makes any difference in terms of cabin size. The diesel engines have been given an upgraded injection system, which means they now comply with the Euro 5 emissions standard. A new addition to the range is a 1.4-litre petrol engine delivering around 100 horsepower and equipped with a novel electro-hydraulic valve-timing system, which makes it highly economical on fuel consumption. The entry price for this nifty Italian job starts at around 12,500 euros.

The series production version of the diminutive Fiat 500 Abarth already has a sting in its tail, despite packing a modest 135bhp under the bonnet. But after graduating from tuner Karl Schnorr's academy in Herborn (Hessen), the scorpion-badged Italian sports model has an even more poisonous bite. Schnoor offers a choice of two performance kits boosting output to 163 or 200 horsepower. In addition, the master tuner also spruces up the car's visual appeal.

VW had something of a flop with the Beetle whereas the Mini has been a huge success for BMW. And how about Fiat? The 500 is doing OK. But what is the point of retro when the 1957 'Nuova 500' weighed a mere 500 kilos and had its engine in the boot while its modern-day successor is twice as heavy and has a completely different drive concept? On the other hand, who wants a vehicle that works on 1950s technology? So this is a case of retro justifying itself purely in terms of design and trying to revive the 'good old days' – with or without integrity. Is this really the way forward or are we just far too sentimental about the past?

A Ford Fiesta equipped to rallycross specification won the grand finale of the X Games in California. On a circuit in Los Angeles, the 450bhp Fiesta laid on a magnificent performance, not only of speed but also the ability to jump over obstacles, which also counted towards the final score. By participating in such events, Ford hope to popularise their compact car before it makes its market debut next year. This appearance certainly turned out to be a huge success. You can see the Ford Fiesta competing in the X Games in the photo gallery below.

Twelve months ago, Abarth opened its first official showroom in the Netherlands. To celebrate one full year of trading by its authorised dealer, the carmaker has now come up with a special limited edition model: the Fiat 500 Abarth Competizione. Only ten of these will be produced, all of them destined for the Dutch market and priced at 25,000 euros. But now for the surprise: the Fiat will not be appearing in the national colour 'oranje' but in an attractive black-and-white contrast. The Fiat 500 Abarth Competizione differs from others in the same series by virtue of it fine, dynamic details. Especially striking are the Abarth graphic touches along the sides. The four-cylinder engine puts out 135 horsepower, enough for a top speed of 127mph (205kph). The 0 to 62mph sprint takes 7.9 seconds.

The ten-millionth vehicle has just rolled off the assembly lines at the Fiat works in Brazil – it was a Palio. During the month of May, Fiat Automoveis sold 60,628 units and claimed a market share of 25.5 percent. The balance sheet for the first five months of the current year also shows the automotive giant dominating the Brazilian market, its 24.6% share putting it in pole position ahead of Volkswagen and General Motors.

First opened in 1976, the Fiat factory in the city of Betim, approximately 200 miles north of Rio de Janeiro, is now the biggest car production facility in the world, boasting an annual capacity of 713,000 units. Fiat currently build 15 different models here, both cars and HGVs, mainly for the South American market. Around 3,000 new vehicles leave the factory each day.

After buying into the insolvent US Chrysler group, it seems that Italian car manufacturer Fiat are now more interested in ever than getting their hands on Opel. Fiat boss Sergio Marchionne announced that Opel would be the perfect partner for Fiat. There is indeed good reason for the increased interest shown by the Italians, since state funds of 3.3 billion euros could also cushion their Chrysler investment.

Opel's business has taken a boost from both the German "scrappage allowance", as well as from the new Insignia model which has been very well-received. Apparently Opel has 100,000 orders on its books, which has in fact led to extra shifts at their Rüsselsheim plant.

Third-largest American auto manufacturer Chrysler sees insolvency as the best chance for a general corporate clear-out. This is without doubt the biggest bankruptcy of all time in the industry. President Barack Obama put a positive spin on the news, averring that the company would emerge much stronger from the process.

Italian carmaker Fiat is set to take an immediate 20% stake in Chrysler, rising to 35 percent at a later stage. Chrysler has lodged an official application with the courts and announced that production will generally cease for the time being. This will then only return to pre-insolvency levels once the process has been completed. Chrysler boss Bob Nardelli and his deputy Tom LaSorda will both resign. As already announced, the UAW employees' union will take a majority shareholding in the new Chrysler company. The whole insolvency process will be completed in record time, estimated at between 30 and 60 days. The US government is pumping in aid to the tune of around $8bn.

The most famous doll in the world turns 50 on March 9, 2009. In the Milan fashion temple "La Rinascente", Fiat will be presenting the most unusual birthday present for the doll that has always kept her youth: a Fiat-500 show car in pink. The entire body will be festooned with crystals and the B-pillars will be decorated with Barbie silhouettes.

The pink metallic bodywork colour will also run on into the cabin and the many cute accessories of this one-off will bring a dazzling smile to your face. Inside, there are Alcantara seats for Barbie's little bottie, a choice of lipstick in the glove compartment or an LED-lit mirror for scintillating makeup perfection. In bad weather, the cover (also in pink) will keep the sweet little Fiat 500 in pristine condition. This sparkling show car will be going on tour soon. Should that not include a city near you, then weep not. Summon your daughter and check out the gallery.