(Fri 02 Jul 10)

Fiat's sporting brand Abarth has revealed that its versions of the Punto Evo and 500C convertible will cost £16,500 and £17,500 respectively when they go on sale in the UK later this month.

The 500C is more expensive because taking the roof off the standard 500 shell and compensating for the resulting loss in structural stiffness costs about £3000. Otherwise, this car is broadly the same as the Abarth 500 hatchback, with a 1.4-litre turbo petrol engine producing a maximum of 140bhp for a top speed of 127mph and a 0-62mph time of 8.1 seconds.

The Abarth Punto Evo (pictured) is rather more clever. Like the 500C, it has a 1.4 turbo petrol engine, but this is one of the new MultiAir units, producing 165bhp and giving the car a top speed of 132mph and a 0-62mph time of 7.9 seconds. The reason it's quicker than the 500C by such a small margin is that it's significantly heavier, though its combined fuel economy of 47mpg is about 4mpg better than the 500C can manage.

We'll be publishing driving impressions of both cars shortly before they go on sale on July 17.

Comment on this story on Facebook or Twitter.

Previous: Suzuki Grand Vitara Changes                       Next: The New Small Range Rover