Punto Abarth headed our way
Fiat has just declared war on the light car GTi models of the world and the Punto Abarth is its pre-emptive strikeWe're not sure how much market demand there is remaining in the light car segment for forced induction cars with sporting cred -- but here's another one anyway.
The Punto Abarth was revealed previously in spy pics (more here) and Fiat has now revealed official factory pics, with the news that the turbo 1.4-litre car will reach Australia around the middle of next year.
Fiat has revived the 'Abarth' name for its sporting models and the Punto variant will join the 500 Abarth at the pointy end of the market.
Power from the 1.4-litre turbocharged four is calculated to be 116kW, delivered at 5500rpm. Peak torque of 206Nm arrives at 5000rpm, but an overboost facility allows torque has high as 230Nm to develop from as low as 3000rpm.
Driving through a six-speed manual transmission, the force-fed engine propels the Punto Abarth to 100km/h in 8.2 seconds from a standing start and a top speed of 208km/h has been recorded by Fiat.
That performance potential isn't at the expense of the environment. Driven sensibly, the Punto Abarth complies with Euro 4 emissions legislation.
But the hot Fiat will be purchased mostly for its performance, its presence and its driving dynamics. To that end, Fiat has widened the track 6mm and equipped the Punto with lowered suspension comprising heavier springs and larger diameter anti-roll bar. 17-inch alloy wheels, sports-calibrated electric power steering and four-wheel disc brakes with Brembo dual-piston calipers for the front ventilated discs are also fitted as standard.
Red stripes and an exclusive front bumper with larger air intakes and headlights set within black bezels are among the Punto Abarth's distinctive cosmetic features.
Those cosmetic features also include side skirts, wheel arch flares and black plastic underbody sections to aid aerodynamics.
Ateco Automotive is yet to decide the final pricing and specification, but the Australian market Punto Abarth is expected to come with standard ESP, carbon-fibre interior trim highlights and a black leather/red stitching combination for the steering wheel and gear knob.
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