Having made its world premiere at the recent Geneva Motorshow, even at first glance the new Abarth Punto EVO clearly has a ‘meaner’ and more aggressive look with its sporting credentials for all to see.
The front bumper has been extended to incorporate the side lights. Drawing inspiration from the rally version, the black front surround has been shaped to leave space for the side intakes, which direct and correct the passage of, notably improving the side aerodynamic flow.
The rear now has a completely new bumper incorporating the side vents and featuring a new diffuser for better channelling of air flow. Compared to the previous version, the same diffuser has been outlined more prominently, while at the same time creating an aesthetic link with the front splitter.
The twin tailpipes have a larger diameter, a clear tribute to the history of Abarth, and have been given a satin finish.
The reverse and fog lights have been shifted to the centre of the extractor, becoming the focus of attention as on racing cars, while the new prism light surrounds frame and accentuate the rear aerodynamic profile, almost mirroring the effect of the led light guides on the rear window.
The spoiler has been completely redesigned both in terms of colour (it is now in the same colour as the body to give the car a more continuous, dynamic look), an of size: the new spoiler has been lengthened and tapered, giving better Cx and Cz values, and making the Abarth Punto EVO even more stable.
The Badge has also been redesigned, and now has a grille that gives it an even sportier look it is no longer round, as it was on the previous version, but has reverted to the historic badge used on the 500.
The wheel arches and side skirts are now in body colour, accentuating the aggressive nature of a car appearing ‘glued to the road’. The side graphic is now integrated with the front bumper and has been re-sized to balance the body coloured areas. The 17” wheels are also completely redesigned, with spokes inspired by the Abarth symbol, the Scorpion also features on the centre caps.
The interior has also been comprehensively upgraded. The materials used for the central section of the dashboard are reminiscent of an asphalt racetrack, thus bringing the feel of a circuit into the cabin.
The new central console is split into two distinct sections. The top section houses the radio, and has a black finish, with the LCD display in the centre. The section below houses the climate controls, with air distribution and temperature adjustment controls.
The instrumentation has been specially designed by Jaeger, with larger dials for the speedometer and rev counter, new sports graphics and a new sun shade upholstered in leather with red and yellow stitching.
The seats also have new look, and a new texture. Where leather upholstery is specified, the outer part of the containment elements, the seat base and back of the seat, and the top of the built-in head restraint are all upholstered in soft black leather.
Meanwhile, the inside part of the containment elements, as well as the seat and the back, are upholstered in technical fabric, to ensure the right balance between comfort, transpiration and resistance to wear.
The car can also still be fitted with the special ‘Abarth Corse’ one-piece seats by Sabelt, in the fabric or leather/Alcantara versions, both in black with red and yellow stitching. These seats offer further improves characteristics, such as lightness and the ability to provide side and longitudinal support for the body.
| OTR | £13,800 |
|---|---|
| RFL | £145 |
| First registration fee | £55 |
| Number plates | £25 |
| Delivery charge | £356.50 |
| Total Retail | £12,636.05 |
| Tax | £1,648.18 |
| Basic | £10,987.87 |
| Option | Price |
|---|---|
| Climate control | £245 |
| Metallic paint (Black) | £367 |
| Sky Dome Electric sunroof | £538 |
| Alternate 17" alloy wheels | £147 |
| Stripes and mirrors (White cars only) | £98 |
| CD Autochanger | £98 |
| Leather upholstery | £832 |
| Special Paint (Red) | £245 |
01/10/08
Can't help feeling a tad sorry for the Grande Punto Abarth. Launched at the sharp end of the revitalisation of the Abarth brand, it was well-received by Europe's press, then promptly forgotten when the new Fiat 500 and the 500 Abarth arrived, all cute and curvy and retro and Panda-based. Hmmmm.
EsseEsse means 'SS', short for Super Sport, and it's difficult to avoid mentioning that an EsseEsse version of the 500 Abarth will be arriving soon. See how everything at Fiat seems to gravitate toward the 500? It's not fair, because the fastest and most powerful version of the Grande Punto deserves a decent hearing.
The car you see here is great. For styling, character and overall ability, it's a match for the little 500: for useability and practicality, it wipes the floor with its smaller brother. It's a much more substantial car.
View Full Story: Top Gear
25/07/08
This is the Punto Abarth, the first of the new-generation Abarths to go on sale in the UK. It is not, apparently a Fiat - look for a Fiat badge and you won’t find one anywhere.
This is because Abarth has a fine racing, rallying and road car heritage and, though it has always been linked heavily to Fiat, and owned by Fiat Auto since 1971, the Italians are keen to give it its own distinct brand image - so a warmed-over Punto T-Jet would simply not be on.
Instead, you get a 153bhp, 1.4-litre turbocharged engine, and the ability to get to 62mph in just 8.2 seconds.
View Full Story: Autocar
28/08/08
The legendary Scorpion motorsport badge is back and anyone that knows their motorsport will be expecting the Grande Punto Abarth to be a car that really excites. Let’s get this straight from the off, this is not a Fiat, it is an Abarth. The Italian maker claims it wants the Abarth name to stay separate from the Fiat badge. The car starts at a price of £13,500, read on to see how it gets on...
This Grande Punto Abarth is a cracker and it seems a snip as the price starts from £13,500. You can drive it as a normal car when on the motorway or when in town but take it out onto the open road and you’ll see why this car is an Abarth. It has precision steering and the Abarth is no slouch as the performance figures (above) show. Not only is the car quick but it’s also green for such a sporty car. With th 155bhp power plant it emits 162g/km of CO2 and Abarth claims that the car will return 40.9mpg. The Scorpion badge has returned with a bang.
View Full Story: Road Test Reports
2008
Abarth is one of those names from motorsport history that aficionados - especially Italians - get all misty-eyed over. Started in 1949 by Carlo Abarth, it was very successful in its own right and also after 1971, when it was subsumed by Fiat and became the company's motorsport arm. ?
After almost two decades of decline, the name solely existing as little more than a trim level, Fiat has revived the Abarth brand, using its sporting heritage to appeal to young carbuyers who want a slightly hotter Fiat.
There's going be a range of Abarth-branded cars (with no Fiat badging) plus equipment to make them into race or rally cars. Already several Grande Punto Super 2000 rally cars have been sold and campaigned with great success, and the expertise Fiat has gathered for the Abarth enterprise will also be used for other hot Fiat group products.
View Full Story: Channel 4
OTR: £4,750