MY NEXT/NEW CAR

I've been toying with the idea of buying a second car for quite some time now. Finance is up soon on mine and been looking at 300ZX, MX-5, cheap scooby, 200sx, celica, mr2, and few other jap cars as cheap weekend runabouts.

I was also about a cats whisker away from handing over the cash for a 55 reg track prepped iggy, Coilovers, carbon bonnet, stripped, roll cage, bucket seats...the lot!!!! All for just under £1.5K!!!!! <!-- s:twisted: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_twisted.gif" alt="" title="Twisted Evil" /><!-- s:twisted: --> <!-- s:twisted: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_twisted.gif" alt="" title="Twisted Evil" /><!-- s:twisted: -->

But finally decided what im going to do. Think i need to be a bit more sensible for the next few months. Mortgage is due for renewal in few months so that might cripple me. Im going to get that out of the way then treat the mrs to a new car.

Heres what my next car will definately be!!!!

Been looking at these for quite some time now...... <!-- s:shock: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_eek.gif" alt=":shock:" title="Shocked" /><!-- s:shock: --> <!-- s:shock: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_eek.gif" alt=":shock:" title="Shocked" /><!-- s:shock: --> <!-- s:shock: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_eek.gif" alt=":shock:" title="Shocked" /><!-- s:shock: --> <!-- s:shock: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_eek.gif" alt=":shock:" title="Shocked" /><!-- s:shock: --> <!-- s8-) --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_cool.gif" alt="" title="Cool" /><!-- s8-) --> <!-- s8-) --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_cool.gif" alt="" title="Cool" /><!-- s8-) --> <!-- s8-) --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_cool.gif" alt="" title="Cool" /><!-- s8-) --> <!-- s8-) --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_cool.gif" alt="" title="Cool" /><!-- s8-) -->

Looks like they will be out in 2011!!!!! I Cant wait! As soon as i hear orders are being taken.... ill be down my local fiat garage and putting my deposit down!!!!!!! Supposed to be released with starting price in the region of just under £12,000





<!-- s:drive: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/18.gif" alt=":drive:" title="Drive" /><!-- s:drive: --> <!-- s:wahoo: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/party0053.gif" alt=":wahoo:" title="Wahoo!" /><!-- s:wahoo: --> <!-- s:drive: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/18.gif" alt=":drive:" title="Drive" /><!-- s:drive: --> <!-- s:wahoo: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/party0053.gif" alt=":wahoo:" title="Wahoo!" /><!-- s:wahoo: -->

Little bit of spec list

--1.4L Turbocharged engine (great little engine that is in the fiat 500)

--Standard abarth coupe will be kicking out 135bhp and 180Nm of torque

--Esseesse version with 158bhp and 230Nm of torque, but still returning 45mpg at the pumps,

--With the car weighing in at little more than 1,000Kg, expect a 0-60mph time of around eight seconds for the lower-powered standard version and seven seconds for the ‘esseesse’.

Just like the Smart Roadster(brabus) these little two seaters arent all about power, but more about the driving experience and the giggle factor. I went for a few test drives in brabus roadsters last year, and i can only imagine this Abarth will be miles better if the 500 abarth is anything to go by.

Cant wait for these babies to be released!!!! Very much doubt ill be chopping in my iggy, as in 2011 the price of the iggy will be soooo poor there'd be no point in getting rid of her. No doubt she'll be staying in the family for years to come!!!!!

yes! i like that

the wheels in that pic look like they off an alfa mito though??

Chris CW wrote: Does sound and look tempting! Lets hope they dont mess it up with a naff gearbox!

Pretty sure they will just be using most of the parts out of the 500 Abarth(MEAN MACHINE!!!)

Heres the read up on AUTO EXPRESS

Small, fast and efficient… Say hello to the Abarth Coupe, the most exciting performance car of 2010! Our exclusive pictures show how the sporty two-seater will shape up should Fiat put it into production, giving Abarth a three model line-up to make its assault on the performance car market.

The revived brand is riding high following the raucous reception for the 500 Abarth, which goes on sale in February, while the Punto Abarth was launched earlier this year. And with increasing numbers of buyers downsizing to smaller and more fuel-efficient cars, there’s never been a better time to introduce a model like this. But can it succeed where the Smart Roadster failed?

Based on the 500’s platform, the Coupe will use a simple front-wheel-drive, front-engine layout to minimise costs. It will also mimic Ford’s conversion of the Ka into the Street Ka, by carrying the majority of components and switch gear straight over from the 500.

A lightweight aluminium chassis and low-slung stance should ensure that it retains the go-kart-like handling synonymous with Abarth models of the past. While the compact dimensions make it perfectly suited to twisting European roads and small enough to be threaded through town traffic.

If Fiat looks to the past there’s no shortage of inspiration for the new Coupe’s design. Models such as the 1959 Abarth 750 Zagato Coupe employed a similar philosophy to the newcomer with a lightweight aluminium body, two-seater layout and extravagant good looks. And as always with Italian sports cars, style is high on the agenda for the Coupe, too.

Sloping headlights and huge front air-intakes give it a snarling face, while vents in the bonnet and behind the front wheels are a sign that there’s pace to match the car’s looks. Just like the Smart Roadster, a removable roof panel allows occupants to get the open-air experience without the need for an expensive and heavy folding top. And lastly, the trademark Abarth white and red colour scheme with distinctive decals mark the car out from other traffic.

The racy theme continues in the cabin, with turbo pressure gauges and Abarth Scorpion logos a plenty. Expect sculpted racing seats and a flat-bottomed steering wheel, too.

Driving enthusiasts will enjoy Fiat’s Torque Transfer Control (TTC), which mimics a front limited slip differential to maximise traction in the bends, while LED flashing lights on the dash alert the driver at the optimum moment to change gear – either to extract maximum performance or boost fuel economy.

Carlo Abarth, the company’s founder, was famous for wringing impressive levels of performance from small-capacity powerplants, and the Abarth philosophy has stayed true to this day. The most likely candidate for the Coupe is the 1.4-litre turbocharged unit from the 500 Abarth, kicking out 135bhp and 180Nm of torque – although an ‘esseesse’ (pronounced essay essay) version with 158bhp and 230Nm of torque, but still returning 45mpg at the pumps, could also make it to production. With the car weighing in at little more than 1,000Kg, expect a 0-60mph time of around eight seconds for the lower-powered version and seven seconds for the ‘esseesse’.

The Smart Roadster’s downfall was its extortionately high price. But it seems Fiat isn’t about to make the same mistake. Prices for the Abarth Coupe should start from around £12,000 - undercutting the cheapest Smart Roadster by £1,500. Fiat is staying tight-lipped about it’s production plans for the Abarth Coupe, but if it does make it to showrooms, expect the care to break cover in 2010 and go on sale in 2011.

How about an Alfa Mito?

That's Nice
Bit CRX Del Sol Ish???

ST06 wrote: How about an Alfa Mito?

they have reaaaaally nice interiors!

dr_hillmann wrote:

ST06 wrote: How about an Alfa Mito?

they have reaaaaally nice interiors!

Yeah, Marangoni also had a stab at styling one, it's in a previous issue of Auto Express.

Even the standard styling and interior is impressive, the Mito also had a 1.4T engine, Alfa badge is a bit cooler as well!

Mito's Abit Gay Ish Though
Yeah, It's A Good Car, But It Being Alfa, It'll Rust, And, Or Break Down

looks pretty cool that does