Abarth’s new 500 R3T rally car is ideal for young privateers looking for good value – but who nevertheless fancy honing their skills in a relatively high-performance car.

As the name suggests, the new rally car will be homologated in group R3T, a category which covers turbocharged cars up to 1600cc. It’s fitted with a 1368cc engine and a Garrett GT 1446 fixed-geometry turbocharger, delivering 180bhp at 5500rpm. The car also boasts a 6-speed sequential gearbox, self-locking blade differential, twin disc clutch and specially developed half-shafts.

The brakes are Brembo discs all round – ventilated at the front, solid at the rear – with an adjustable split system. There’s also a hydraulic handbrake.

The suspension set-up can be adjusted to suit different surfaces and different driving styles, while the rally car comes complete with welded-in rollcage, FIA homologated seats with 6-point harnesses and other necessary safety devices.

The 500 R3T, which renews Abarth’s long-held reputation for building accessible competition machinery, will take part in a one-make rallying trophy in 2010. The calendar will be published later this year. Meanwhile, the European and Italian Trophies for the Abarth 500 Assetto Corse circuit racer will continue.

Text: Charis Whitcombe
Photos: Abarth