Abarth 500 R3T is the baddest rally Fiat 500 yet

If your in love with the new Fiat 500 like I am then you probably don't want to se see this new Abarth tuned one: it is to die for. Drivers in the USA are still going to have to wait to get their hands on the Fiat 500 but when they do the modifications will ensue. 

More on the car:

Labeled the Abarth 500 R3T , this is a special rally fighting edition Fiat 500 and was recently introduced at the 51 st Sanremo Rally. According to the folks at Fiat this car will "lend its name to a promotional rally trophy in 2010, due to join the two track events (European and Italian) planned for the Abarth 500 Assetto Corse."

"For Abarth, this marks a return to promotional trophy events, a niche it has made its own for more than thirty years. Since 1977, to be precise, when the first ever Autobianchi A112 Abarth Championship was held, followed by trophies for the Fiat Uno, Uno Turbo, Cinquecento, Seicento, Punto Kit and Super 1600, Stilo, Panda Kit."

The special edition Abarth 500 rally version is approved for Group R3T which is for cars that are turbocharged up to 1600 cm3 in capacity. The engine in the Abarth 500 R3T is good for 180 horsepower at 5500 rpm. 

Other great features on it:

-The gearbox is sequential, front meshing with 6 speeds and includes a multiplate self-locking differential, twin plate clutch and special half-axles.

-The 7" x 17" OZ asphalt rims are designed for 19/62-17 tires.

-The Brembo brakes are all disc, ventilated at the front with 4 callipers, solid disc at the rear with brake distributor and governor. The handbrake is hydraulic.

-The Abarth 500 is equipped with a special welded roll-bar integral with the body, the required safety devices and FIA type-approved seats with 6 seat belt anchorage points.

-The weight is the lowest set by the regulations for this category: 1080 kg unladen.

[Source Fiat]