25.08.2004 These photos, exclusive to Italiaspeed, reveal the first OF THE officially-supported Fiat Stilo AbarthS, that will tackle next month's Wales Rally GB

Fiat Stilo Abarth Rally

These photos, exclusive to Italiaspeed, reveal the first officially-supported Fiat Stilo Abarth, that will tackle next month's Wales Rally GB, as the car undergoes initial livery application.

Preparations are continuing apace for this highly ambitious programme which will see the Fiat Stilo thrust into the spotlight in the toughest of arenas, the Cardiff-based British round of the FIA World Rally Championship.

Three identical Stilo Cup-specification cars will be entered, piloted by three highly rated junior rally stars, all who will be looking to stamp their mark in the Welsh forests.

While the first Stilo, seen here, is almost ready, a second car is now undergoing final preparations in the bodyshop, while a third is being shipped over from Italy.

Fiat Auto UK decided to take the famous rally name back onto the world stage following the success of the 2004 Stilo Cup UK. During its debut season, six talented juniors drivers have produced incredibly close nail-biting action, and with two rounds still remaining, the series is wide open.

Leader of the series at the halfway point with two wins and a second place, Chris Davies will represent the Stilo Cup UK runners in the Fiat Auto UK team. The 19-year-old, in just his second year of rallying is a quiet, calm driver with a bright future ahead of him. He will shine in Wales, of that there is no doubt.

Andrea Perego and Claudio Vischioni, clear favourites to claim the 2004 Italian Trofeo Stilo Abarth, will drive a second car.

The third Stilo will be driven by rising rally star Leon Pesticcio. The Welshman, who has been pedalling a Fiat Punto S1600 on the JWRC this year, is blisteringly quick and never dull to watch. Always right on the edge, provided he does not decide to re-shape the Stilo, a giant-killing act is certainly on the cards.

The Fiat Stilo Abarth Cup, which pumps out 187bhp from its 4-cyl 1.8-litre engine and competition gearbox, will be joining a famous roll-call when it leaves the starting ramp in Cardiff.

The long and rich sporting history of the Italian marque is littered with cars that proved themselves on the world's most demanding tracks, cars such as the fabulous triple World Rally Championship winning Fiat 131, which also helped flying Finn Markku Alen to clinch the 1977 world driver's title before the legendary German Walter Röhrl took a second such honour three years later.

Now it is the turn of the exciting Stilo Abarth Rally to join the list. In just a few weeks time a new chapter will be written.