so is there such a thing as an uno abarth or wat is the abarth all about

This has been covered in depth before, but I'm too tired to search for the thread.

In a word - NO!

:yeahthat:
search around in the Uno section you will find alsorts on it

No there never was an Uno Abarth, I think they sold an Abarth branded bodykit as an optional extra, but that was about it. The hot Uno is the Uno Turbo.

The last proper Abarth was the Strada Abarth before Fiat closed the operation down and started using Abarth badges as a way of saying this is a sporty model and even they they haven't been consistent. For example the Stilo Abarth is basically a big engine version which isn't that powerful considering capacity and an Abarth badge stuck on the rear. No real effort was made to ensure the car lived up to the name, or fulfilled its true potential, and anyone that's driven one will know stock it drives like a boat. On the Strada Abarth, the Abarth team took the basic car and developed it quite extensively to improve handing and performance, such as hot cams, stiffened body shell, uprated rear suspension, wind deflectors, even some of the suspension components have Abarth cast into the metal, indicating that they've uprated and strengthened the components, not something you see on the Stilo Abarth.

I think Fiat should reserve the Abarth name to signify that the car/model is the zenith of performance and development, with sport/sporting being reserved for models that generally have a sporty pretentions. Unfortunately I doubt Fiat will ever invest the time and money to ensure that the Abarth name is attached to a car which can live up to the name. I'm probaby talking complete bull but we shall see with the up and coming GP Abarth. Sorry bit off track there.

As said already. Fiat released Abarth branded bodykits for the Uno. There wasnt actually an Abarth version of the car.

To my knowledge, there were only 3 full abarth kitted MK2 unos sold from new in the UK. I dont know about the MK1.

There was also a version of the Uno called "Racing" that was a top of the range model, but as far as I know it was never officially available in the UK. I think South Africa got it and maybe some other European countries?

didnt the Racing model just feature a higher spec interior. The engine and exterior remained untouched?

I think thats correct.

To my knowledge there was only one UK spec of mk1 or 2, engine wise.

Tom

I have just stumbled across this picture of a brochure on sale at ebay, and it looks like a genuine fiat uno turbo brochure which shows the optional dealer fit abarth front bumper etc.

thepottleflump said:

The last proper Abarth was the Strada Abarth before Fiat closed the operation down and started using Abarth badges as a way of saying this is a sporty model and even they they haven't been consistent. For example the Stilo Abarth is basically a big engine version which isn't that powerful considering capacity and an Abarth badge stuck on the rear. No real effort was made to ensure the car lived up to the name, or fulfilled its true potential, and anyone that's driven one will know stock it drives like a boat. On the Strada Abarth, the Abarth team took the basic car and developed it quite extensively to improve handing and performance, such as hot cams, stiffened body shell, uprated rear suspension, wind deflectors, even some of the suspension components have Abarth cast into the metal, indicating that they've uprated and strengthened the components, not something you see on the Stilo Abarth.

I think Fiat should reserve the Abarth name to signify that the car/model is the zenith of performance and development, with sport/sporting being reserved for models that generally have a sporty pretentions. Unfortunately I doubt Fiat will ever invest the time and money to ensure that the Abarth name is attached to a car which can live up to the name. I'm probaby talking complete bull but we shall see with the up and coming GP Abarth. Sorry bit off track there.

Click to expand...

Well, I have a Stilo Abarth...











...and I COMPLETELY agree with everything you just said, an excellent summary!

Seriously, it is a sacrilige that FIAT attached the Abarth name to the Stilo. I drove mine on a track a month ago (I'm going to upload the video soon) and it was awful... that is to say, it wasn't the slowest car there, but I only just managed to beat a 1974 125T, and that was entirely due to speed on the straights. I finished one place behind (in the overall times) an ORIGINAL Abarth 1000TC, so that tells you something.

If the Stilo 'Abarth' was about 400kg lighter, quite a bit lower and stiffer, fitted with proper brakes larger than 'standard' Stilos, and better balanced from an understeer/oversteer standpoint, then it might be worthy of the name. I'd expect carbon fibre panels, a rollcage, and a loud exhaust, mind!

-Alex

alexGS said:

If the Stilo 'Abarth' was about 400kg lighter, quite a bit lower and stiffer, fitted with proper brakes larger than 'standard' Stilos, and better balanced from an understeer/oversteer standpoint, then it might be worthy of the name. I'd expect carbon fibre panels, a rollcage, and a loud exhaust, mind!

Click to expand...

Sounds like a project

Hi alex do you have any videos of my Yellow Uno race car from the taupo race in feb, you said you were going to download some video footage I would be kean to see any