A SPECIAL edition Abarth is being produced to mark the Italian brand's sponsorship of the FIM MotoGP motorcycling championship.

The Abarth 595 comes with an uprated 1.4-litre T-Jet engine developing 160bhp and can sprint 0 to 60mph in 7.4 seconds.

The diminutive model is also fitted with Koni shocks, Eibach springs and its soundtrack comes from a Record Monza exhaust system.

Priced from £17,420 the Abarth 595 Yamaha Factory Racing Edition is available in a choice of seven colours and comes with 17-inch matt black alloy wheels, painted brake callipers and optional matching Abarth side stripes and mirror covers.

Darkened windows, a flat-bottom leather steering wheel, aluminium pedals and a special Yamaha Factory Racing badge are also standard fit while xenon headlamps, a leather interior and dual zone air conditioning are among options.

Fuel economy for the five speed manual model is rated at 47.1mpg with emissions of 139g/km.