UNVEILED AT the 2008 Geneva Motor Show, the sporty Fiat 500 Abarth had been scheduled to arrive in Australian showrooms in early 2009.

Unfortunately for Australian buyers, it is now not expected until late 2009. Public Relations Manager for Fiat Australia, Edward Rowe, told TMR today that its popularity in Europe has kept it away from our shores.

“It’s a supply issue, more than anything else. The Fiat 500 is proving to be quite popular in Europe, and with the Poland assembly plant working at capacity to keep up with demand, we’ve had to push back the Abarth’s arrival in Australia,” Mr Rowe said.

“Once the European market is satisfied, we’ll be able to bring the Abarth into Australia, and we’re expecting that to occur later this year. That’s our target.”

The performance-oriented version of the popular Fiat 500 is powered by the company’s Fire 1.4 16v petrol turbo engine, developing 99kW at 5500rpm, with peak torque of 206Nm in ‘Sport’ mode, while the more fuel-efficient ‘Normal’ mode drops torque to 180Nm at 2500rpm.

A new Torque Transfer Control system has been developed to improve the delivery of torque to the wheels, ensuring the front-wheel-drive 500 Abarth remains composed in the corners.

The Fiat 500 made its Australian debut at the Melbourne International Motor Show in 2008, followed by an appearance at the 2008 F1 Grand Prix as the car of choice for the Celebrity Challenge race.

Also upcoming in Australia for Fiat is the droptop Fiat 500C, which is due to arrive in local showrooms in early 2010.

Powered by the same 51kW 1.2 litre, 74kW 1.4 litre petrol engines and 55kW 1.3 litre diesel as the regular Fiat 500 hardtop, the 500C’s real power is in the appeal of its retractable ragtop, inspired by its 1950s predecessor.

Click here to read The Motor Report’s review of the Fiat 500.

GALLERY » FIAT-500-ABARTH-HR