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These are the first official images of the Fiat Abarth 500, the hottest version of the smash-hit city car.

The Abarth will be powered by a 135bhp, 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol engine is will to go sale early next year wearing the famed Scorpion badge.

These first photos of the harder 500 reveal a more severe monochrome interior than the standard car, with a flat-bottomed steering wheel, a leather-covered dash cowl and bespoke Abarth sports seats that will be available in either b...Read the full article

Anyone else think that the 500 photographs a lot better than it looks in the metal? Whenever I see one in pictured, I want one; when one goes by, I think, so what?

 I was quite tempted when I first hear about these. But hang on what this? A more powerful version you can only get in Italy? Hmm I think I'll leave it till they release that then.

And I know what you mean about them photographing well. I think the problem is that when you see them in a photograph you don't get a sense of scale. When you see them on the road they just look bigger than they should, if you know what I mean? 

 The good thing with cars like this is that tuning them ought to be comparatively easy. Plug in a laptop and up goes the boost, hey presto more power (within limits). What's the betting the 160bhp version is otherwise identical?