It’s set to become one of the world’s hottest hatchbacks, but here the new Abarth 500 SS is braving the winter chill!

Our spies have been out in the cold in Scandinavia to get these great spy shots of Fiat’s eagerly anticipated new rival to MINI’s Cooper S.

Set to be unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in March, the 500 SS – Super Sport – will go on sale in the UK in the summer. Powered by a 1.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, the feisty three-door will feed around 155bhp to the front wheels.

The Abarth SS will get an aggressive bodykit complete with a low front splitter, deep air intakes and twin bonnet vents. Once the disguise is peeled back this hot hatch promises to turn heads wherever it goes.

A standard Abarth 500 will also be offered, delivering 155bhp. The lower powered model is likely to be priced at £13,500, while the range-topper will cost around £15,000.