The X1/9 Abarth was born as heir to the 124 Spider Abarth and to beat the Lancia Stratos. The engine was derived from the 1850cc 232B of the 124 Abarth, with Weber 44IDF carburettors. The gearbox was the 5-speed one from the Beta Group 2. The car, agile and light, participated in various competitions between 1974 and 1975 as a prototype. The idea was to homologate it in Group 4 by producing the 400 road-going specimens requested, but the Fiat Group stopped the project - and also retired the Stratos - to promote a car with greater ties to series production such as the 131.