This is the new Fiat 500 Abarth ‘Opening Edition’ – the range-topping version of Fiat’s iconic new city car.

Earlier this year we reported on the hot 135bhp Fiat 500 Abarth which made its world debut at the 2008 Geneva motor show.

But Fiat bosses have injected more horsepower into its hottest export to create the Fiat 500 Abarth ‘Opening Edition’.

View images of the new 160bhp Fiat 500 Abarth ‘Opening Edition’

The new Fiat 500 Abarth ‘Opening Edition’ gets a performance boost to produce 160bhp from its turbocharged 1.4-litre petrol engine – just 10bhp shy of the Mini Cooper S – and 170lb/ft of pulling power.

This means the storming new Fiat 500 Abarth can sprint from 0-62mph in just 7.4 seconds – quicker than a Volkswagen Polo GTi and Ford Fiesta ST – and hits a top speed of 131mph.

The 160bhp Fiat 500 Abarth gets performance ‘perforated’ brake discs, high performance brake pads, a performance air filter, lowered suspension springs and special 17-inch alloy wheels.

The standard Fiat 500 Abarth serves up 135bhp and 152lb/ft of pulling power from its turbocharged 1.4-litre engine, with a 0-62mph dash of around eight seconds.

And the Abarth series are the most aggressive looking 500s yet – the front bumper has a large gaping intake, sporty fog lamps, wider wheelarches, side sills and a lowered ride height.

At the rear its bumper is fitted with a racing car style diffuser to reduce drag and improve stability and there are twin exhausts, tuned for a sportier sound.

Fiat will produce just 100 units of the hottest 500 Abarth ‘Opening Edition’ for the Italian – but stay posted to see if it makes it to the UK.

View images of the new 160bhp Fiat 500 Abarth ‘Opening Edition’

Check out two Fiat 500 Abarth superminis in action: