New Grande Punto Abarth review
Author: David Miles
Published: 31 July 2008
The Fiat Grande Punto Abarth, or Grande Punto Abarth as Fiat want us to call it, is the first bespoke Abarth model to be available for 20 years and it is eagerly awaited by those who know or have heard about the legendary ‘Scorpion’ rally and race car models.
At £13,500 on the road the ‘supermini’ sized three-door Grande Punto Abarth is undoubtedly now the price leader against the more expensive completion such as the RenaultSport Clio 197, Vauxhall VXR and MINI Cooper S or John Cooper Works models.
The Grande Punto in standard form is an elegant looking car so by adding the Abarth bespoke touches to it the Italians have done what they do best – added style. Compared with the standard Grande Punto, the Abarth’s track has been widened by 6mm, the ride height lowered by 10mm and the front springs are 20mm stiffer.
Styling
The Punto Abarth is equipped with 17-inch alloy wheels and the option of contrasting striping bearing the Abarth name along each side.
The front bumper has been specially redesigned and houses the headlights set in a dark surround, while the larger air intakes, adapted to cater for the turbocharged engine’s cooling requirements, are enhanced with an exclusive Abarth design.
The sideskirts, wheel arch rims and black plastic underbody complete the fairing on the lower section, which is profiled to boost aerodynamic performance and extends as far as the tapered rear bumper.
The Abarth badge is clearly visible, positioned in the centre of the front grille, the rear hatch, and on both flanks, at door handle height. There is no Fiat or Punto badging to be seen anywhere on the car. This is an Abarth.
Interior
Inside, the Abarth touch is equally apparent. The scorpion badge is positioned on the passenger side of the dashboard while the ‘carbon effect’ central console is decorated with a textured cube motif.
The car’s instrument panel has been given a sporty new design, and the same sports finish is used for both the steering wheel and gear stick – black leather with red stitching. Driver and front passenger seats have also been designed to capture the style and driving experience of Abarth.
Both have built-in head restraints, lumbar support and lateral thigh support. As an option the seats and central dashboard section can be finished in full grain leather.
Standard equipment
A comprehensive equipment package includes a host of safety and comfort-enhancing features. Safety features include window airbags, side airbags, height adjustable driver's seat, Blue&Me hands-free communications system, foglights, rear head restraints, ABS and ESP.
The importance of safety is also shown by the fact that an Electronic Stability Programme comes as standard and cannot be deactivated but thankfully in is not really intrusive. Other standard equipment includes a radio/MP3 player, fully adjustable steering wheel, air conditioning, dark tinted windows, electric front windows, Dualdrive electric power steering and cruise control.
Abarth engine
The Grande Punto Abarth is fitted with a 1.4 turbo (T-Jet) four-cylinder, petrol engine, delivering 155 bhp. Combining with a 6-speed manual gearbox, the engine gives the car a top speed of 129 mph, and a 0-62 mph acceleration time of just 8.2 seconds.
This excellent and responsive powerplant will officially return over 40mpg in the combined cycle and restrict CO2 emissions to just 162 g/km giving it a roads tax cost of £145.
In real-life, pushed very hard with some hill climb motorsport driving at the famous Harewood Hill circuit, 22.3mpg is all my test car returned but I estimate around 30mpg is probable for day to day driving.
Abarth say through cubic capacity downsizing allied to the adoption of a small turbocharger, this responsive 155bhp, 1.4 litre T-Jet engine delivers a performance equal to or better than a conventionally aspirated 2.0 litre engine with a reduction of between 10% and 20% in fuel consumption and emissions.
Via a ‘drive-by-wire’ throttle system, the 1.4 litre T-Jet petrol engine provides excellent diesel-like low-end torque. Push the Sport Boost button located in the centre console and the engine will deliver an impressive 169 lb ft of torque at 3000 rpm, (152lb ft in normal mode).
Additionally use of the Sport Boost function modifies the amount of steering effort required by the driver, so as to give a sportier feel.
For confident stopping power the car is equipped with disc brakes all round; the front brakes being ventilated and equipped with Brembo fixed four-piston callipers.
Assetto and esseesse kits
The Assetto and esseesse (SS) kits are delivered to customers packed in original wooden crates – in keeping with Abarth tradition. They can only be sold and installed by the official Abarth network and are specific to the Grande Punto Abarth 1.4 Turbo T-Jet 155bhp.
This conversion must take place within one year or 12,000 miles from its first registration. Conversions are covered by a two-year Abarth warranty from the installation date.
As a first step up from the standard Grande Punto Abarth, a handling Assetto kit is offered, which includes springs that lower the ride height by 15-20mm, special front brake pads, cross-drilled front disc brakes and alloy wheels with very low profile tyres.
The full £3,500 esseesse (SS) kit comprises of engine and Assetto chassis modifications. These additionally include a Garrett GT 1446 turbocharger which increases boost pressure from 1.3 to 1.5 bar, new water and oil pipes to the turbo, new exhaust manifold, heat shield, complete injector rail, MAP sensor, boost sensor, modified catalytic converter, larger diameter exhaust, new intercooler pipework, adapted radiator pipe, new water pump, wastegate valve, and a new engine ECU.
Fitted with the full esseesse (SS) kit, the Punto Abarth has more than twice the power of the basic Fiat Grande Punto model. With the full Abarth treatment and fitted with the 1.4-litre 16v turbo engine enhanced to 180bhp at 5,750 rpm, with maximum torque of 200lb ft (272 Nm) at 2,750 rpm, the modified ‘hot hatch’ can achieve a top speed of 133 mph, accelerating from 0-62 mph in just 7.5 seconds.
Grande Punto Abarth MILESTONES
Grande Punto Abarth
Price: £13,500
Engine/transmission: 1.4-litre T-Jet turbocharged, four-cylinder, petrol, 155bhp, 206-230Nm of torque at 3,000rpm, 6-speed manual
Performance: 129mph, 0-62mph 8.2 seconds, 40.9mpg (22.3mpg actual including motorsport test), CO2 162g/km, VED Band D £145
Insurance group: 15 (standard car) 17 for SS variant
For: Must have iconic Abarth styling, responsive engine, non-intrusive ESP, excellent grip, attractive price, niche tuning kit options
Against: Too few UK Abarth dealers, very hard ride, non-compliant suspension for British potholed roads, tiring driving
See Also:
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Click here for more Abarth stories
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Very Nice. The best looking hot hatch and cheapest. My next car?