The UK will be a priority market for Abarth when the Fiat sporting brand is officially re-launched early next year. Other key markets will be Japan and Germany.

Although only 100 to 120 Abarth dealers will be appointed across the whole of Europe, about 10 will be in the UK where demand for small, sporty cars is strong. It is expected many of the Abarth outlets will be twinned with Alfa Romeo which is enjoying a resurgence, rather than Fiat.

First product will be the Grande Punto Abarth which is due in the UK in the first quarter of 2008, to be followed by the 500 Abarth which will be debuted at next spring’s Geneva Motor Show.

Meanwhile, sister brand Alfa Romeo is to introduce a customisation programme to allow buyers to give their cars more personal identity. The scheme, called Unica, has three broad themes: Vintage, Collezione and Sporting.