Get ready to place your orders, as the Fiat 500 Abarth has finally arrived in South Africa. Initially, it will be available exclusively from the Abarth Performance Centre in Craighall Park, Johannesburg . Pricing begins at R230 000 and goes up to R255 000 for the ragtop 500c model.

This new Abarth is tasked with carrying the torch from its legendary predecessors of the late 50s and 60s, which gave Abarth-fettled products a reputation for being “small but deadly”.

Under the 500′s stubby bonnet, you’ll find a 1.4-litre, 16-valve engine strapped with a turbocharger, churning out 99kW and 206Nm of torque. The result is a 0-100km/h time of 7.9 seconds and a top speed of  205 km/h, there’s also an overboost function. As an option, Fiat offers their semi-automatic MTA (Manual Transmission Automated) gearbox.

Fiat also gave the Abarth their Torque Transfer Control system. This is engaged when the TTC button is pressed and mimics a limited slip differential in corners by using the ESP sensors and braking system to transfer the engine’s torque away from the unloaded inner wheel, to the loaded outer wheel. The result reins in understeer around corners, with the aim of making the car safer but more fun to drive.

Abarth body trimmings give the cute-looking Fiat 500 a whole new attitude. It’s a mean little beast, with twin exhaust pipes, an aggressive bodykit and sporty 16-inch alloys – although 17-inchers are optional. Abarth scorpion emblems round-off the tasty exterior package. Inside the sporty theme continues, with a turbo pressure gauge, aluminium pedals, three-spoke steering wheel and a gear-shift indicator. Special Abarth-specification seats promise to hold the body snugly in place when tackling the corners.

Fiat have also brought over the Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari. With a sticker price of R550 000, Fiat say that this rare model will only be made available to a fortunate few in South Africa. The Tributo Ferrari’s engine has been tuned to produce over 132kW, and boasts a 0-100km/h time of under 7 seconds and a top speed of 225 km/h. Just like a real Ferrari, you can have the Abarth 695 in either Scuderia Red or Modena Yellow.

For R37 000 extra, you can add the Esseesse (pronounced “SS”) kit, to your Fiat 500 Abarth or 500c Abarth. It’s a box of go-faster bits, that boost power to 118kW and torque up to 230Nm. Beefier brakes are also thrown in with the Esseesse package.

Both the Abarth and Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari come standard with a three-year/100 000km warranty and a five-year/90 000km service plan.