Fiat’s official tuning brand, Abarth, has dropped the lid on its latest creation based on the 500C ahead of the convertible’s world premiere at next week’s Geneva Motor Show. Like its tin-topped counterpart, the Abarth 500C benefits from a more powerful turbocharged engine as well as chassis upgrades and a full suite of aero tweaks to reduce drag and improve high-speed stability over the standard Fiat 500C.

Motivation comes from a 1.4-liter turbocharged T-Jet engine delivering 140 horsepower and 206Nm of peak torque at 2,000 rpm. Power is transferred to the front wheels through a standard six-speed automated manual gearbox with paddle shifters.

The Abarth-ized 500C can sprint from zero to 100km/h (62mph) in 8.1 seconds and reach a maximum speed of 205km/h or 127mph, while returning an average fuel consumption in the combined cycle of 6.5lt/100km, or the U.S. equal of 36.2mpg.

The Italian company said that it is also working on a more powerful “Esseesse” model that will be available later this year.

Aside from the turbocharged engine, the firm’s engineers have also tweaked the rag-top mini’s suspension and brake components.

The “Scorpion treatment” adds a full body kit with beefed up front and rear bumpers, side skirts, a roof spoiler and a rear diffuser that integrates the twin tail pipes. The Abarth 500C rides on newly styled 17-inch alloy wheels.

The vehicle’s electrically operated rollover canvas top comes in a choice of two colours (black or titanium grey), while Abarth also created three special two-tone color schemes, one in black and race white and the other in two different shades of grey.

As for the interior, the sporty 500C’s features include a thick-rimmed sports steering wheel, unique decorative trim, a pair of body-hugging front sport seats and a modified instrument panel.

The Abarth 500C will reach European dealerships later this year with North American sales scheduled to start sometime in 2012.

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We’ve seen automakers creating special edition models for numerous reasons or occasions, but Maserati’s decision to premiere a limited production version of the Quattroporte sedan to celebrate the 56 awards from automotive and lifestyle publications that the car has received during its six years of life, sounds like the Italians are either running low on cash or ideas – maybe even both…

The distinctiveness of the “Awards Edition” that is based on the range-topping Quattroporte Sport GT S with the upgraded 433HP V8 engine extends to both the exterior and interior appointments.

The special edition model is offered in a uniqueQuarzo fuso exterior colour which is a pearlescent metallic Grey with a golden hue.

Among the exclusive to this model exterior enhancements are the 20-inch Multi Trident dark grey rims in a satin finish, polished Brembo brake calipers and the burnished treatment used on the chrome parts, as well as on the side air vents and radiator surround.

Inside, the Poltrona Frau leather of the seats is combined with perforated Alcantara with a new pattern, and the headlining is also in Alcantara.

Completing the interior upgrades are the special brushed aluminium door sills and Piano Black satin-finish wood mouldings while the boot is finished in black trim and features chrome details and a leather side pocket.

The Quattroporte Sport GT S “Awards Edition” will be go on sale in the latter half of 2010.

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Busting the myth that more power equals higher fuel consumption, Fiat announced today that it is replacing the 500 mini’s 75HP Multijet diesel unit with a more potent yet much more fuel efficient 1.3-liter Multijet II engine that incorporates Start&Stop technology and a DPF particulate filter.

The new diesel unit that features a novel variable geometry turbocharger produces an output of 95 horsepower (+20HP) at 4,000rpm and 200Nm or 148 lb-ft of torque at only 1,500rpm.

The result is a significant improvement in the car’s performance as top speed is increased from 165km/h or 103mph to 181km/h or 112mph while the 0-100km/h (62mph) acceleration time is reduced from 12.5 to just 10.7 seconds.

At the same time, fuel consumption is improved from 67.3mpg UK (equal to 4.2lt/100km and 56.1mpg US) to 72.4mpg UK (3.9 lt/100km or 60.2mpg) in the combined European cycle, while emissions drop from 110g/km to 104g/km of CO2.

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You’d assume that a supercar like the Lamborghini Murcielago LP650-4 Roadster of which only 50 examples were ever built, is so special and rare that its owner would think more than twice before attempting even the slightest customization. Apparently that didn’t apply to the Beverly Hills owner of the No2/50 Murcielago LP650-4 Roadster.

As soon as he took possession of the rare Italian supercar, the owner went ahead and transformed the Raging Bull model according to his taste.

All 50 Murcielago LP650-4 Roadsters were finished in a gray shade accented by orange styling touches, something that the owner didn’t like. The supercar was stripped down to the metal and the complete interior was removed in order to apply a matte black paint job with gloss black highlights.

The roadster was also fitted with a set of custom made, 19-inch GFG three-piece forged alloy wheels with a glossy black outer lip, matte black center and orange highlights. The rims are shod in Pirelli P-Zero 245/30/19 front and 355/25/19 rear tires.

Other mods include a one-of-a-kind audio system with Focal Utopia KIT 7 component 3-way speakers that are powered by two Alpine PDX series amplifiers totaling over 1600 watts of power, and an Escort SRX radar detector with the main controller mounted on the center console.

The bespoke Lambo keeps the factory model’s 6.5-liter V12 mid-mounted engine with 650HP intact.

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What better place to introduce a new set of duds than at a fashion show? Fiat chose the “Bread & Butter” youth fashion show in Berlin to debut a new color for its Fiat 500 by Diesel. The limited edition Diesel has been available in black and green up until now, with 6,000 of the planned 10,000 units already sold. Those still in the market for a 500 by Diesel can now choose to have their Cinquecento slathered in the newly available “Midnight Indigo” blue, which was specially chosen because it “recalls the denim used to make jeans,” according to Fiat.

Now, a new body color usually isn’t enough to warrant a whole post, even a sharp-looking dark denim blue. No, Fiat has more to offer in this update than just the cool new hue. Underhood they’ve stuffed their latest Euro 5 compliant 1.3-liter Multijet II engine. The second-generation turbodiesel features the company’s Start&Stop system and is good for 95 horsepower.

What better place to introduce a new set of duds than at a fashion show? Fiat chose the “Bread & Butter” youth fashion show in Berlin to debut a new color for its Fiat 500 by DieselThe Indigo version also gets the same upgrades as its predecessors – 16″ alloy wheels, a faux rear air intake, satin chrome trim, and yellow brake calipers on the 1.4-liter, 100 horsepower version. Inside you’ll find a dark denim fabric with yellow stitching that features the signature Diesel fifth pocket, the famous Mohican head on the shift knob and more satin chrome highlights. The full press release can be found after the jump and there’s a pair of big images available in the gallery below.

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