Punto
Abarth
The
recently unveiled Punto Abarth is not really a true-blue Abarth although you
have to give it to Fiat India for being at the forefront of affordable
performance motoring – a segment that holds a surprising amount of potential
but hasn’t been explored much yet. As India’s first relatively affordable hot
hatch, the Punto Abarth surely is worthy of a good look.
Now
the price tag of the fully imported 595 Competizione may have disoriented many,
however, for those who are keen to experience the typical Abarth madness at a
more affordable price point, Fiat has prepared a special treat i.e. the made in
India Punto Abarth.
We
recently got up close with a pre-production Punto Abarth at the Buddh
International Circuit and are happy to report that Fiat India hasn’t gone
overboard with go-faster design bits. Upfront, the design is pretty much the
same except for the sportier grille with red inserts and the menacing Abarth
badge. Move onto the sides and there’s no getting away from the delicious
looking alloys sporting the signature ‘Scorpion’ design. Rounding off the
design updates are the red Abarth decals that run down the doors and the red
wing mirrors. Inside, the Abarth treatment continues with contrasting red and
yellow stitching for the seats and sportier looking steel pedals. Otherwise,
the cabin is pretty much identical to that of the standard Punto 90 Hp.
The
interior may not be very different from the standard car, but it’s a different
story altogether under the hood wherein you will find a 1.4-litre T-Jet
turbocharged engine seen earlier in the Linea T-Jet. For this hot hatch, Fiat
India has retuned the unit to bring the total power output to 140 bhp and 200 Nm.
Besides a new engine, the Punto Abarth also boasts of disc brakes at all four
corners, stiffer springs and a ride height that is lowered by 20 mm compared to
the standard car.
Expected
to hit the showrooms sometime during this festive season, the new Punto Abarth
will be sold as the flagship model in the Punto Evo range.
Source
: carwale
