Ever since we drove the 2012 Fiat 500 Abarth back in March, we've been fans of the peppy pint-sized pavement pounder. With 160 horsepower from its turbo 1.4-liter four-cylinder, a surprisingly ferocious growl, and a surprisingly low price, it's a relative performance bargain.

But is it up to the task of modern motorsport? Fiat 500s of the past, especially Abarth-tuned models, were all over the world of racing, and Fiat wants to revive that spirit with an appearance at the 2012 Targa Newfoundland, taking place this week, September 8-15.

The car is being campaigned by Samuel Hubinette and Jen Horsey in the Open class, and so far, the duo is doing well in the Abarth, finishing 6th in the Prologue, completed on Sunday, and 7th in Leg 1, which was run today.

You can stay up to date on the results as they happen at the official Targa Newfoundland site.