Sporty seats for Fiat's Abarth models

Jun 9 2009 Steve Hughes

OWNERS of the sporty Abarth versions of Fiat's Grande Punto and 500 models are being invited to replace the front seats - at a cost of up to £2,250.

This is the price placed upon what are claimed to be the best bottom supporters in the business, manufactured by specialist firm Sabelt.

Sabelt created sports seats for the racing Abarth 595 and 695 models of the 1960s when the Abarth brand was synonymous with sporting success.

Whilst the latest Abarth versions of the Fiat 500 and Grande Punto models may not be quite as quick as a Porsche, they are nippier than the standard models.

Fiat reckons that this calls for additional support to keep occupants held firmly whilst accelerating, cornering and braking, hence the sporty seats with slits for a full multi-point safety harness.

Available in two versions - Frau black leather with fretworked black Alcantara, or black F1 technical fabric - the seats are finished with red thread seams, a distinctive embroidered Abarth name and the Scorpion Logo on the backrest tilt wheel.

Initially available on the Abarth Grande Punto and to be followed later in the year by the Abarth 500 version, the seats are priced at £2,250 in leather or £1,760 finished in fabric.

They will be available from Abarth's network of 16 dealers in Britain.