Ok, outside of the US, most 500 Abarths run the 1.4 turbo. It's a slightly different 1.4 then the one we get. They get the T-Jet engine, not the Multi-Air. It's bascially the same with the following exceptions. The T-Jet engine does not have the Multi-Air system. Multi-Air is an upgrade and in the past you had to buy an Alfa Romeo to get the Multi-Air 1.4 Turbo, however we have it in our US spec 500 Abarths, and in the 124s. The T-Jet engine uses a Bosch ECU, and some versions have the smaller IHI turbocharger. We get the much better Garrett turbo.
All that said, with the same parameters, the T-Jet and Multi-Air engines develop essentially the same power from their 1368cc of displacement, so it's worth looking at the Euro engines.
They basically have 4 versions.
1. The base version, T-Jet or Multi-Air has 140 horsepower and as far as I know always has the smaller IHI Turbo. However that may not be true with the Euro 140hp 124, we don't know at the moment.
2. The next step us is the 160hp version. This has the Garrett turbo and is found in all US spec 500 Abarths, our 124s, and the T-Jet Abarth 595 Turismo.
3. The Abarth 595 Competizione has 180 horsepower. We don't get this version in the US, but it's essentially identical to the 160hp version but with a hotter tune. FUN FACT, as measured by the various magazines, the 595 Competizione is no faster to 60mph than the 595 Turismo with 20 horsepower less. This is entirely due to traction limitaions, something that a lot of people just can't understand. The Competizione will leave the Turismo behind once traction isn't an issue, but at low speeds neither car can put all it's power to the ground anyway.
4. The big baddie is the 695 Biposto (two seater). It has 190 horsepower from essentially the same tune as the 595 Competizione but with the addition of an improved intake, and better intercooling with revised piping. The 695 IS quicker to 60 and in any other speed range because it's lighter and more importantly it has a plate type limited slip differential with a dog ring gear box.
I want to add, that I don't think that the 695's intake or intercooler are all that great, they are just a little better than the standard pieces. The intake isn't even a cold air air type.
All this relates to the 124 because we now offer a 200hp "Dynamic" tune with our Euro+Drive Lite system. 200hp is very conservative and isn't much different from the hottest factory tune. Add in a good intake and exhaust and you can easily have even more power all while staying near the tuning levels offered from the factory. That should give some peace of mind to those of you who want more power, but don't want the hassles or decreased reliability often associated with modding cars.
Greg
