Autobianchi A112 Abarth: The History
In 1969, the Autobianchi A112 made its debut as the first Italian compact car to offer a combination of cutting-edge technology, impeccable finishes and a youthful and elegant design, combined with the practicality of three doors. This vehicle, today defined as "premium", represented the Italian answer to the famous English Mini, standing out for its reliability, modernity and practicality, especially thanks to the rear hatch.
At the time of its launch, however, a sports version was missing, a gap that Carlo Abarth, the famous Italian car tuner, immediately noticed. Already in 1970, Abarth devoted himself to the small A112, presenting at the Turin Sports Car Show a version elaborated and adapted for the streets, but with a racing soul.
Abarth's interpretation included red resin wheel arch extensions, wide-channel magnesium wheels and an "Abarth" logo decal stripe. The engine, a classic Fiat from the Abarth 1000 TC, was boosted to 108 horsepower, turning the A112 into a veritable "bomb" on four wheels.
The success of Abarth's interpretation prompted Fiat to speed up the development process of a sports version of the A112. However, Abarth's extreme approach was tempered by the parent company, which prioritized reliability and ease of driving. Thus was born the first official A112 Abarth, presented at the Turin Motor Show in 1971.
This sports version, obtained thanks to the collaboration between Abarth and Fiat, represented a perfect balance between everyday utility and sports performance. Thanks to its unique characteristics, the A112 Abarth quickly established itself as one of the most desired cars, becoming an icon in the world of motor racing.
The subsequent series of the A112 Abarth brought continuous improvements and variations, keeping alive the flame of enthusiasm for this small but feisty Italian car. Its production continued until 1984, when it was replaced by the Y10 Turbo, marking the end of an era.
Each series of the A112 Abarth, from the first versions developed by Carlo Abarth up to the latest models of the seventh series, represented a masterpiece of engineering and design, confirming its status as an icon in the Italian automotive industry.