First stand-alone sports car in more than 30 years will be launched by 2012

Abarth has confirmed it will launch its first stand-alone sports car in more than 30 years.

Antonino Labate, head of sales and marketing at Abarth, told Autocar that the car will be launched in the next two years - but added that Lotus will not be involved in the car's development, or supply Elise underpinnings, as had originally been thought.

“The brand is doing so well we will definitely bring our own standalone Abarth coupe model to market within the next two years," said Labate, who also hinted the car will be a strict two-seater.

Abarth has hankered after a halo model since it relaunched as a standalone brand in 2008, and the sports car is expecetd to have around 240bhp, be mid-engined and weigh around 900kg.

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david RS 23 June 2010

Re: Abarth to launch a sports car

Good news.

We'll see.

With an engagement in racing or/and a cup.

pabs 23 June 2010

Re: Abarth to launch a sports car

JackB wrote:
It might be the coolest car of the decade - I hope it will get RWD.

If it's mid engined as quoted you can take it will be RWD

Jon Hardcastle 23 June 2010

Re: Abarth to launch a sports car

Great news, great brand and no doubt a great looker will emerge all topped off with a healthy dose of new modern engines like the Multiair's currently available. I can't wait.

All that will be needed is Autocar testing it and saying it does not quite match the dynamics of the BMW Z3 and the picture will be complete!