The launch of the Grande Punto Abarth is a tribute to the army of little Fiats from days gone by, that were given a tough, dynamic and sporty edge by the "magic hands" at Abarth: scorpions with a real sting in the tail, igniting the passion of thousands of drivers with a taste for challenge, speed, and Italian flair. Today, the Grande Punto Abarth is aiming to evoke the former glory of those high-performance vehicles by offering the public, especially younger drivers, the chance to enter the world of competitive racing in complete safety and at affordable prices.
The Grande Punto Abarth is fitted with a 1.4 turbo petrol engine, delivering 155bhp. Combined with a 6-speed manual gearbox, the engine gives the car a top speed of 208 km/h, accelerating from 0-62mph in just 8.2 seconds. The Grande Punto Abarth is not just a high performing little car – it is also safe, and respectful of the environment. Safe because the tuning is not limited to the engine and the aerodynamics: the car’s brakes and chassis set-up have also been redesigned to cope with the improved performance. It is also eco-friendly because, despite having far more horsepower than the model on which it is based, it complies with the same legislation on noise and emissions (Euro 4 approved engine).
Developed by Abarth’s designers along with the technicians who produced the Grande Punto Fiat (one of Europe’s most successful cars), the Grande Punto Abarth is factory-built, and is subject to all the regulations and checks applied to standard models.
The raw power and elegance of the Grande Punto Abarth are instantly visible. Compared to a standard Punto, the track has been widened by 6 mm, it has 17" alloy wheels and the option of red stripes bearing the Abarth name along each side. The front bumper is specially designed and houses the headlights set in a dark surround, while the larger air intakes, adapted to cater for the new engine’s cooling requirements, are enhanced with an exclusive Abarth design. Finally, the sideskirts, the wheel arch rims and black plastic underbody complete the fairing on the lower section, profiled to boost aerodynamic performance and extending as far as the tapered rear bumper. The Abarth badge is of course clearly visible, positioned in the centre of the front grille, the rear hatch and even on both sides, at door handle height.
However, most of the Abarth treatment relates to performance: the engine, brakes and chassis set up. The 4-cylinder 16v engine (1368 cc turbocharged with an IHI fixed geometry turbocharger) delivers 155 bhp at 5500 rpm with a maximum torque of 206 Nm at 5000 rpm. When "power boost" mode is activated, the maximum torque increases to 230 Nm at 3000 rpm (a good 10% more), and the electric power-assisted steering modifies the setting to give a sportier feel. There are disc brakes on all wheels, and the front brakes are ventilated with Brembo fixed four-piston calipers.
The suspension is based on the tried and tested set up of the Fiat Grande Punto (MacPherson strut and anti-roll bar at the front and torsion beam suspension at the rear), suitably modified: the anti-roll bar has been thickened (diameter 19 mm), the front springs are 20% firmer, and the ride height has been lowered by 10 mm. After this treatment, the vehicle provides impeccable road holding while maintaining a high standard of comfort. Evidence of the importance given to safety when the car was designed (especially for younger drivers), is that the ESP comes as standard and cannot be deactivated.
The Abarth touch is equally apparent inside the car: the charismatic figure of the scorpion on one side of the dashboard, for example, while the "carbon effect" central console is decorated with a textured cube motif. That’s not all: the instrument panel has a sporty design, with the same look for the steering wheel and gear stick, finished in black leather with red stitching. Last but not least, the seats have also been beautifully designed with built-in head restraints, lumbar support and excellent lateral thigh support (on request, the seats and central dashboard section can be finished in full grain leather).
| 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