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Fiat previews updated Abarth Punto Evo, touring car to follow?
Where there's smoke, there's fire. So it was natural to expect that, with the debut of the mildly facelifted Fiat Punto Evo and its smoked headlights, we might expect an updated version of the fire-breathing Abarth to go with it. And this, according to reports, is our first look at just such a hot hatch.
A revised fascia isn't the only change the new Abarth Punto Evo brings to the table. Confirming earlier reports, the new Scorpion will get a bump in power from 155 horsepower to 170, thanks to the use of Fiat's new MultiAir engine technology. But that's just the base Abarth. The even hotter EsseEsse model is tipped to have 200 hp on tap, perfect for doing battle with the recently revised Clio Renaultsport 200. The use of Fiat's new dual-clutch gearbox is also reportedly in the mix, along with some LED lighting.
In a related development, Scottish racing team If Motorsport is reported to be considering bringing the Punto Abarth into the British Touring Car Championship. The adoption of new, low-cost NGTC rules for the 2011 series is the impetus, and if recent competition-spec Abarth machines are anything to go by, the BTCC could have a real thrasher on its hands.
[Source: Cardisiac via rmpgo.com, Autosport]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Mike Lee 8:00AM (1/26/2010)
Now if Fiat would bring THIS car to American, I'd buy one. Unlike everything else they've shown as potentially coming here, this one looks good.
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Alexander Brown 8:11AM (1/26/2010)
To be honest I'm not a fan - I prefered how it looked before, that goes for the normal Fiat Punto Evo also - for some reason this reminds me of an old Austin Metro City ( i know they look nothing alike)
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BenRoethig 8:40AM (1/26/2010)
Looks very dated compared to fiesta and other more modern b-class cars.
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lorenzo 5:11PM (1/26/2010)
looks better in person.
and it's simple, not over-designed
JB 9:02AM (1/26/2010)
I like to see cars like this racing, basically stock, with opening doors and such. I enjoy the BTCC, and autocross too. But I like that a lot of touring cars are sedans, like in the DTM. Even though sedans are basically executive and salesmen cars in Europe. Hatches are OK, but should be for smaller races like autocross or rallying, where a sedan is an endangered species. Anything is better than Nascar though.
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fixitfixitstop 10:30AM (1/26/2010)
blahblahblahblah you don't like hatches. we get it. move along.
andrewh12 7:46PM (1/26/2010)
Oh, please. As if that was even close to the truth! When will Americans stop stereotyping and generalizing about Europe.
We don't all live in crowded, ancient cities like Rome. In fact if you *actually* knew more than stereotypes of certain Southern European countries you would know that sedans are quite normal in *most* of Europe. In my region hatches are for the young, perhaps women and the elderly. A balance of fashion, needs and price.
We're >700 million people in 50 countries and many, many more cultures, there is NO common European anything! One European country might have vast, untouched spaces and MUCH LOWER pop. density than the US, while megacities like London offer less space and need for cars. There are so many lifestyles and economies here!
Aeromax 8:57AM (1/26/2010)
I like it!
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travisty 10:22AM (1/26/2010)
pleasepleasepleaseplease PLEASE put this engine (I'm assuming it's the 1.4) into the Abarth 500!!
(and of course bring it to the US...)
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Colin Smith 11:10AM (1/26/2010)
It will be going in the 500: Fiat is only building its newest engine in the US. The 500 Abarth will get the 170. Whether they would put the 200hp version in the little 500 though, I doubt! That's a lot of twist in such a small car.
Tourian 10:32AM (1/26/2010)
I like the idea of hot hatches being introduced to this country and hope they catch on, but I am biased - I don't want another car on the market here that's called "Evo." I love the one I have too much.
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Colin Smith 11:14AM (1/26/2010)
Not so actually. I also disliked the new nose when I saw the photos, but in the flesh it looks OK. As for the overall design of the car and the detailing, it still looks more elegant than the new Fiesta. The Ford looks good in profile, but the rear is a bit fussy, and the interior isn't nearly as smart as the Punto Evo's.
The Grande Punto was a classic and it isn't dating; lots of Fiats age well like this.
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Colin Smith 11:18AM (1/26/2010)
I was replying to an earlier post. Dunno what I did?
lorenzo 12:08PM (1/26/2010)
@Colin,
If you say this lump WILL be going into the 500, then why couldn't someone put the Esse Esse chip on to get it up to 200hp? Because that is how this Punto gets up there + you have the option of doing the Esse Esse chip on the current Abarth 500.
Andrea 12:38PM (1/26/2010)
@lorenzo:
AFAIK, the actual GP esse esse gets from 155 to 180 also using a different air filter, a bigger turbo and some other updates.
That's why I presume the Evo esse esse will reach 200 not simply by chip tuning, but the same way as the actual esse esse
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Shiftright 2:29PM (1/26/2010)
Abarths on the track again. Bring it! Now if only we could get coverage of the BTCC in the US.
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heltersceltic 2:42PM (1/28/2010)
Rented a Punto while in Ireland on vacation. Darn good little car (3 people and our luggage fit fine). Just needed more power. My wish has been granted.
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kavin 12:15AM (3/12/2010)
I recently test drove the Maruti Ritz with my family and found it to be simply awesome.I really like the way the interiors has been styled. The dual tone dash board looks cool and quality is very impressive as well.
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