THE Abarth 131 Rally, which captured the imagination of an entire generation of car enthusiasts, can soon be seen once again on roads around the world with a new look.

On the 40th anniversary of its last race, the legendary Scorpion brand is paying homage to it with the Abarth 695 Tributo 131 Rally special series.

This limited edition will be available in just 695 units globally and in the UK will be priced from £32,325 when it arrives later in the spring.

The latest version of this top-of-the-range model is a tribute to Abarth's racing history.

The Abarth 695 Tributo 131 Rally is fitted with a 1.4 T-jet engine which develops 180hp and 250Nm of torque at 3,000rpm. Maximum speed is 140mph and acceleration from 0 to 62mph takes 6.7 seconds.

The car is also fitted with Koni FSD shock absorbers on both axles and a braking system which includes aluminum Brembo calipers, with four pistons on the front and 305mm and 240mm ventilated discs on the rear and a Record Monza Sovrapposto exhaust system-an evolution on the Record Monza system, now with four vertically overlaid terminals.

With the Italian brand's Spoiler ad Assetto Variabile, which can be adjustable to 12 positions, with an inclination from zero to 60 degrees, it has improved ornering stability and provides greater reactivity on mixed roads.

For example, at the maximum 60 degree angle and a speed of 124mph, the aerodynamic load increases up to 42kg.

The Abarth 695 Tributo 131 Rally is decked out with a new bicolour three-layer Blue Rally glossy livery, which reinterprets the body colour of the original.

The Abarth 695 Tributo 131 Rally is the first Scorpion vehicle to contain ‘Easter Eggs'-tiny stylistic gems which the designers hide to surprise customers-like the silhouette of the 131 Rally engraved on the lower part of the car door, on the Alcantara dashboard and on the headrests of the new seats.

Inside, there are Sabelt fabric seats with blue inserts and stitching inspired by those of the historic car.

The Abarth 131 Rally debuted in 1976 in Group 4 and its track record includes six years in the World Rally Championship (1976-1981) and victories at 18 International Rallies, three World Constructors' Champions (1977, 1978 and 1980), two FIA Cup for Rally Drivers titles with Markku Alen and a World Drivers' Champions with Walter Rohrl.