With these modifications the Abarth Opening Edition will go from 0 to 62mph (100km/h) in 7.4 seconds and reach a top speed of 131mph (211km/h) through a 5 speed gearbox. This is an improvement of 0.5 seconds in the 0 to 62mph and an extra 3mph at the top end over the standard Fiat 500 Abarth.

Externally the Fiat Abarth Opening Edition has few notable distinguishing features; red brake callipers (which are optional on even base spec 500’s) and tinted windows.  There are two colours available, Pearlised White and Campovolo Grey and special decals. Inside it is a different story with distinctive two tone read and black leather seats, sporty aluminium and leather gear knob with red detailing and a limited edition plaque.

No official word on a release date or price but expect to pay and least £1000 more than the standard Abarth.  Only 100 will be released in Italy and no mention as yet on numbers available to other markets.  There was an “Essesse-Essesse” performance kit mentioned a while back that was to be released in November 2008, this may or may not be it but it may give an indication of the Fiat Abarth Opening Editions intended release date.

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Special Edition ST500 lacks special

The Focus ST-3 uses a 20-valve five-cylinder Duratec 2.5 engine, which develops 225PS at 6,100rpm and 320Nm of torque at 1,600rpm. The ST500 is mechanically no different from the £19,845 St-3, but for £650 more you get a metallic black paint job and ‘classic’ silver racing stripes which stretch across the roof and bonnet and silver side stripes. These are (according to the press release) “designed to echo the livery of the winning GT40 in the 1-2-3 victory at Le Mans in 1966″. You also get a red leather interior.

Quite why you’d want to spend the extra £650 for some black paint, stripes and red hide I’m not sure. In fact, the ST500 is a bit of a non-edition, why not just specify panther black for £350 and stick with the ST-3′s leather Recaros? You could always pop down to Halfords later for some masking tape and a can of silver. Mazda had the right idea when they released their RX8 Kuro special edition, at least there you were getting a limited edition of 500 that had more spec for less money.

I’m not even sure how well the limited run of 500 cars will help the ST500 hold its value, I’ve seen no mention of individually numbered plaques, although, if you squint a little at the interior image in the gallery I think the center console does say ST500. Add the fact that its lairy red interior and racing stripes will likely attract a certain demographic, it leads me to believe that in 3 years time finding a well looked after ST500 will be a difficult task.

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