Abarth Cars
Euro · 4 models
Abarth: The Scorpion's Sting
EuroAbarth is the Italian performance division of Fiat, turning humble city cars into pocket rockets since the 1950s.
Abarth models we cover
Abarth was founded in 1949 by Carlo Abarth, an Austrian-Italian engineer and former motorcycle racer who set up shop in Turin with a simple obsession: making small, affordable cars go faster than anyone thought possible. The brand's scorpion badge comes from Carlo's zodiac sign, and it quickly became a symbol of feisty performance rather than raw horsepower. Abarth built its reputation on tuning kits, exhaust systems, and race-proven modifications for everyday Fiats, and its cars racked up class wins at Le Mans, the Mille Miglia, and countless hillclimbs throughout the 1950s and 1960s.
Fiat absorbed Abarth in 1971, and for decades the scorpion badge lived on mostly as a performance trim level on various Fiat models. The brand was fully revived in 2007 alongside the launch of the new Fiat 500, giving Abarth a modern platform worthy of its history. Since then Abarth has built its identity around small, loud, tail-happy hot hatches and roadsters that punch well above their size, keeping alive Carlo Abarth's philosophy that a lightweight car with a big heart beats a heavy car with a big engine.
Today Abarth sits under the Stellantis umbrella alongside Fiat, and its lineup has expanded from turbocharged gasoline hatches to its first all-electric model. Whether it is the snarling exhaust note of a 595 Competizione or the rear-wheel-drive balance of the 124 Spider, Abarth models remain some of the most characterful small performance cars on the road, built for drivers who want personality as much as speed.
Frequently asked questions about Abarth
Who founded Abarth?
Abarth was founded in 1949 by Carlo Abarth, an Austrian-Italian engineer and former racer, who built his company in Turin, Italy tuning small cars for speed and reliability on the track.
Why does Abarth use a scorpion badge?
The scorpion logo represents founder Carlo Abarth's zodiac sign. It became the company's emblem from the start and remains one of the most recognizable badges in Italian motoring.
Is Abarth owned by Fiat?
Yes. Fiat acquired Abarth in 1971 and has used the name as its in-house performance division ever since, with the brand now operating under Fiat's parent company, Stellantis.
What is the fastest Abarth model?
Among current production models, the Abarth 595 Competizione and the turbocharged Abarth 124 Spider are the quickest, both built around potent small-displacement turbo engines tuned for maximum punch.
Does Abarth make an electric car?
Yes. The Abarth 500e is the brand's first fully electric model, based on the Fiat 500e, and it uses a simulated sound system to echo the exhaust character Abarth is known for.