HARMAN and Abarth announce brand partnership for audio systems
The iconic-in-its-own-lunchtime Fiat 500 supermini has yet another sexy limited edition coming and this time, it is all about the JBL sound system. This just in from Harman…
HARMAN audio systems bring a superior-in-car listening experience to the new Abarth 500 Edizione Maserati
Today at the Paris Motor Show, HARMAN, the premium global audio and infotainment company, announced a new brand partnership and licensing agreement with Abarth, a brand of the FIAT Group. The first results of the new alliance will be the high performance JBL sound system in the Abarth 500 Edizione Maserati, due for release this November, and an Abarth-branded limited edition of the JBL On Tour micro loudspeakers.
‘We’re delighted to be working with Abarth,’ said Sachin Lawande, Executive Vice President and Co-President, Lifestyle and Infotainment. ‘HARMAN and Abarth share the same brand values in their DNA – both have a tradition of uncompromising performance, quality and innovation, and appeal to customers looking for prestigious quality. And we’re confident that this shared sense of purpose will deliver some superior audio products to enhance the listening experience both inside and outside of the vehicle.’
The richly-spec’d JBL car audio system which HARMAN has custom-developed for the Abarth 500 Edizione Maserati indeed leaves no room for compromise. Engineered using top-level component material, the system delivers crystal-sharp sound. It comprises nine JBL loudspeakers in all: two 165mm metal-matrix woofers with DVC neodymium magnets in the right and left front doors, two 25mm tweeters in metal-matrix material mounted on the right and left of the A pillar, two right and left rear 25mm tweeters in metal-matrix and two 100mm Kevlar midrange units, plus a 200m subwoofer in a special enclosure box fitted into the spare wheel compartment. The speakers are fed by an 8-channel 400W JBL amplifier. With its quality finish, the audio system is a perfect match for the prestigious Abarth 500 Edizione Maserati. The limited edition vehicle with JBL sound system will be available in more than 20 countries worldwide.
Another product of the brand partnership will be a special Abarth-branded version of the HARMAN JBL On Tour Micro. Sized to fit a pocket or carry-on bag, this ultra-portable loudspeaker delivers dynamic big-system sound from any source. The Abarth-branded JBL On Tour Micro will be released later this year.
About HARMAN
HARMAN link designs, manufactures and markets a wide range of audio and infotainment solutions for the automotive, consumer and professional markets – supported by 15 leading brands, including AKG, Harman Kardon, Infinity, JBL, Lexicon and Mark Levinson. The company is admired by audiophiles across multiple generations and supports leading professional entertainers and the venues where they perform. More than 25 million automobiles on the road today are equipped with HARMAN audio and infotainment systems. HARMAN has a workforce of about 13,400 people across the Americas, Europe and Asia, and reported sales of $4.4 billion for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2012