Fiat Grande Punto Abarth - Trest Drive
http://www.infomotori.co.uk/a_ENG_15503_1.html
This is not a simple re-launch, but this is a proper re-birth of Italian car manufacturer Fiat!
The 2007 is rich of news and surprises, and new Fiat Grande Punto Abarth is a further confirm of it. The Scorpion is definately back, with this new extraordinary model for Fiat. Today Infomotori.co.uk is driving Grande Punto Abarth during the official test drive in Tourin; meanwhile, we are glad to introduce to you the first official pictures of the car, together with the first official dates.
The legendary Abarth ‘Scorpion’ returns
After the official presentation in March this year, Abarth now makes its return: it is one of the most prestigious brands in world motorsports. Abarth has always been synonymous with aggressive cars, competitiveness, passion and excitement, and it now returns with a new range that will appeal to all lovers of motor racing. The second concept is expressed on two different ways. But the real novelty is the Grande Punto Abarth “essesse” (Super Sport) prototype. These sophisticated screens project the components of the conversion kit which have made the basic version of the Grande Punto Abarth even more powerful and aggressive, in the best tradition of the Scorpion.
The Grande Punto Abarth went on the market this month, equipped with the 1.4 petrol Turbo engine that delivers 150 bhp at 5500 rpm (boosted to 155 bhp if 98 RON petrol is used) combined with a mechanical 6-speed gearbox that takes it to a top speed of 208 km/h, accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in just 8.2 seconds. This is the Abarth’s first interpretation of the Grande Punto, but the initiative will soon be extended to other models.
On the road
It is beautiful, but what about the performances? Simply turn the key and see if the Abarth inheritance is only the scorpion or also the earth. The sound is “normal”: quiet and educate. The transmission gear is determined and precise; maybe it is a placebo effect or the Abarth's technicians, but it definitely progressed.
The first track test has been made with the default asset, so with “only” 206 Nm of wrench at 5000 rounds. It immediately clear that we are not abroad to a classic Fiat Grande Punto. The asset most rigid and lowered give immediately an optimal feeling. The steering wheel, precise and direct join perfectly the above specification.
The standard equipped ESP, that cannot be deactivated, is optimally tuned and it start only on extreme cases and in a not invasive way.
High performance kit “esseesse”
It is a pleasure to know that the real protagonists of the Abarth brand will be the elaboration kits. Fiat Grande Punto Abarth will be soon be offered with an optional “esseesse” kit – with a not definite price between 4.800 ed i 5.600 Euro – and for this occasion, Abarth provided few prototypes with this kit included.
With such elaboration, the Fiat Grande Punto Abarth develop a power that is double of that of a regular one, reaching the 180HP. The maximum wrench is not less, levitating to 272 Nm and granting a sprint from 0 to 100 in only 7”7.
To all that there is to add the 18” alloy wheels and some specific mechanic modifications like the asset lowered by 20 mm and a more performing break system.