01 Aug 08
Abarth Grande Punto
8. Abarth Grande Punto
Carlo Abarth died in 1979, but his name continued as designation of Fiat's motorsport and tuning division. The Abarth department worked on successive rally cars including the 131, 037, Lancia Stratos, Delta S4, Delta HF4WD and Integrale, plus the 105 TC and 130 TC Strada/Ritmo, Italy's answer to the Mk1 Golf GTI. But by the 1990s, Fiat had dropped out of motorsport and the 'Abarth' name was used on several less-than-hot hatches in the Fiat line-up. The Stilo Abarth is best forgotten.
However, Fiat is now back in the black, and it has relaunched Abarth as a separate division: its answer to BMW's M, Mercedes' AMG, Ford's RS.
First new-age Abarth is the Grande Punto, using expertise from the Grande Punto Super 2000 rally car.
The Abarth Grande Punto has Fiat's turbocharged 1.4 16v engine, developing 155bhp and 152lb ft of torque, plus over-boost facility for 170lb-ft.
Properly worked-over, its suspension is lowered and stiffened, its track widened, and Brembo brakes fitted - and it's suitably restyled, as well. And best of all, the Esseesse kit has been revived: 180bhp and 201lb-ft, plus 18" alloys, further brake and suspension upgrades and other additional options.
Prices start from around £13,000, with the Esseesse kit an extra £3,500. Check out our full road test for more.
