FCA has launched the Abarth brand the Middle East and North Africa markets at the 2015 Dubai International Motor Show.

The automaker names this “the natural result” after the success achieved in the region by the 50th anniversary of the Abarth 595 series.

Visitors attending the automotive event have the chance to see the new Abarth 595 Competizione and the Abarth 695 Assetto Corse Evoluzione. Both vehicles pack the same 1.4-liter T-Jet engine developing 180 PS (177 HP) and 215 PS (212 HP), respectively.

The model on display was numbered ‘49’ in a homage to the year that the brand was founded, March 31, 1949. That was when engineer and race driver Carlo Abarth started the ‘Abarth & C’, with driver Guido Scagliarini. The brand was relaunched in 2007. Since then it has seen success and only this year, 8,900 Abarth 500s have been sold.. In the EMEA region (Europe, Middle East and Africa), sales have grown over 59 percent compared to the same period in 2014.

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