From 12 to 14 February, Abarth is taking part in the 34th edition of "Automotoretrò" and "Automotoracing" with three cars that will certainly attract the attention of an expert and passionate public from all over Europe. The presence at this prestigious event celebrates the Scorpion's history of performance, sportsmanship and records. Heritage is an element of great importance for the brand as demonstrated by the ambitious "Abarth Classiche" initiative which protects the authenticity of yesterday's models and the coherence of current ones, in a common thread between past and future well represented also by cars on display.
On the stand, visitors will be able to admire a 595 Abarth 1970 Esseesse. Progenitor of a series of successful models from a commercial and competitive point of view, the car made its debut in 1963, and was subsequently updated together with the Fiat 500, adopting for example in 1966 the windproof doors. The model on display mounts the Esseesse kit, which through the increase in engine power and other technical modifications has made it unbeatable in its category.
Every elaboration of the engine, the chassis and the suspensions was carefully studied on the experiences in the records and in the competition fields, so as to make the cars not only performing, but also reliable. While the Fiat 500 then reached a top speed of 95 km/h with 17,5 HP at 4.400 rpm, the Abarth 595 with the "Esseesse" kit was close to 130 km/h.
Alongside its progenitor, from which it takes up the white livery with red stripes on the doors, the spotlights are on the Abarth 595 Yamaha Factory Racing. This is a special series that arises from the prestigious partnership between the Scorpion brand and the Movistar Yamaha Team: for the second consecutive year, in fact, Abarth will be the Official Sponsor and Official Car Supplier of the Yamaha Factory Racing team, involved in the FIM MotoGP World Championship 2016. To create the car, Abarth and Yamaha collaborated, developing it as a racing motorcycle is usually developed. The interventions concerned engine power (from 140hp to 160hp), BMC filter, suspensions and shock absorbers (Koni front and rear shock absorbers with FSD valve and Eibach springs), 17" matt black alloy wheels, Record Monza exhaust.
Another historic car will be visible on the ACI Torino stand, to symbolize the FCA Group's renewed sponsorship of Cesana-Sestriere. This is the 124 Fiat 4 Abarth Rally Gr. 1975 with yellow and red livery. Equipped with a 1756 bhp 200 cc engine, the car reached a top speed of 170 km/h, depending on the gear ratios, and won two victories in the European Rally Championship (1972 and 1975) and placement at second place in the constructors' championship for four consecutive seasons, from 1972 to 1975.
On Friday 12 and Saturday 13 the stand will host Anneliese Abarth, president of the Carlo Abarth Foundation and brand ambassador. Alongside the brilliant car manufacturer and founder of the brand for many years, Mrs Anneliese continues today, under the sign of a very deep personal and professional relationship, to represent the Scorpion at the numerous events for vintage cars and at the international meetings of the various clubs . No one better than her, who has experienced the history of Abarth firsthand, can express what the founder made concrete through the performance of her cars.
