Abarth To Build Five Units Of The 1000 SP Based On The Alfa Romeo 4C Spider

Last May, FCA Heritage showed us the Abarth 1000 SP (Sport Prototipo), a concept car inspired by the synonymous mid-engined racecar from 1966. While everyone thought that this project was just a one-off prototype that resurfaced from the brand’s drawers for show purposes, it seems that Abarth is planning on building five units of the roadster based on the underpinnings of the now-discontinued Alfa Romeo 4C.

The news was confirmed to Auto Italia Magazine by Roberto Giolito, Head of FCA Heritage and former Head of Centro Stile Fiat and Abarth. As noted in a Twitter post by the magazine, the full interview will be published in the next issue, possibly revealing more details about the limited-production Abarth 1000 SP.

EXCLUSIVE!
Abarth 1000 SP Gets Green Light
Five examples of Abarth’s proto-Alfa 4C will be built. For the full story/exclusive interview with Roberto Giolito, Head of FCA Heritage and designer of the Abarth 1000 SP, read the February 2022 issue of Auto Italia, on sale 6 January. pic.twitter.com/fbzHCvbiRV

— Auto Italia Magazine (@AutoItaliaMag) December 28, 2021

Despite being unveiled in 2021, the idea for the Abarth 1000 SP started back in 2009, which means that Giolito should have been heavily involved with the project as he was responsible for the design of both Fiat and Abarth products between 2011 and 2015. Naturally, the new 1000 SP is significantly larger than its source of inspiration, but it has strong vibes of the exterior design including similar vents on the bonnet, small round headlights on the bulged fenders, an open two-seater cabin with a protective tubular frame, round taillights, and a tiny rear overhang.

As you can tell from the proportions, Abarth’s roadster prototype is based on the carbon fiber monocoque of the Alfa Romeo 4C Spider, with an aluminum front sub-frame, overlapping triangle suspension in the front, and MacPherson strut suspension in the rear. Just like in the Alfa Romeo, the mid-mounted turbocharged 1,742 cc four-cylinder engine produces 237 hp (177 kW / 240 PS), sending power to the rear wheels.

The original press release stated that the Abarth 1000 SP would take part “in major events focused on vintage cars” during fall 2021, marking “precisely 55 years after the debut of its forerunner”. FCA Heritage referred to the prototype as the “only one model of which has been produced to date”, a statement that shows they were open-minded about a possible limited-production series.

We guess that Stellantis has a few remaining 4C chassis and engines lying around in the Alfa Romeo factory, so a limited-production special would make great use for them. After all, Abarth desperately needs new products aside from the aging 595s and 695s in order to keep the Scorpion alive before electrification begins with the performance variant of the new Fiat 500 in 2024.