Italy-based traditional Fiat tuner Abarth has revealed its upmarket take on the Fiat Pulse, marking the first time in history the company worked on a crossover SUV (see video).
Unlike some other such makeovers, however, the new car will be primarily exported to Brazil, where it will be sold under a certain third-party badge (the Fiat branding will be removed). We are told that the sales will begin late this year, but all other details remain to be announced.
The Fiat Pulse Abarth is essentially a version of the Italian SUV optimized for efficiency on Latin American roads. To that end, it comes equipped with new bumpers, large wheels and a different exhaust system. Buyers will also get access to new body colors.
The vehicle shown on the photos only has Abarth badges on it. The company says it will sell it in Brazil through select dealerships, which will be required to arrange special thematic zones in their showrooms to display it. A coupe-SUV will join the lineup later this year under the same sub-brand.
Powertrain specifics remain to be revealed. Considering Abarth’s previous releases, it could be a 1.3-liter turbo linked to a front-wheel drive system and taking advantage of a new steering setup. This configuration produces up to 185 PS (182 hp / 136 kW) in existing cars.