The Fiat 500 Abarth has already sold out in the month since its launch in late April, with Chrysler halting orders from dealers.

Customers are to be put on a waiting list for the 2013 version with the factory unable to produce more than the 3,000 vehicles it promised.

The high-performance Fiat 500 Abarth will debut in the US for the first time at the Los Angeles Auto Show, Chrysler has confirmed.

The long-awaited model by Abarth, a high-performance subbrand of Chrysler-owner Fiat, will likely line up alongside its little brother at US dealers from next year.

The Fiat 500 Abarth will use a 1.4-liter Turbo Engine, along with specially-tuned suspension and brake systems and ‘race-inspired design and technology features.’

It’s unknown just how much power that engine will pack, although in Europe the Fiat 500 Abarth is offered with either 130 hp or 160 hp.

The arrival of Abarth could help Fiat inject some much needed excitement into its US brand offering — despite a high-profile advertising campaign featuring Jennifer Lopez, initial sales of its first vehicle, the Fiat 500, this year have been lackluster.