Abarth Punto Evo now available in Italy to challenge Ibiza Cupra and Polo GTI

If you thought that FIAT Punto Evo brought the edgy sports style to the beautifully rounded Grande Punto, than look at the Abarth version and take note of the all the visual changes. Only then read the rest of the article to find out what is substantially different in the Abarth version, and why this car could easily go head to head against rivals from France, Spain and Germany.

No, it is not going to leave the Ibiza Cupra or Polo GTI behind the cloud of dust, because of its simpler engine with less power aids and the narrower maximum torque band. This new Abarth Punto Evo aims to attract the buyers who would prefer to have the sporty Scorpion badge barer instead of the beautifully crafted Alfa MiTo with pretty much the same characteristics, or the cold hearted Polo GTI. Maybe they feel the MiTo to be too girly for them, and that the Polo GTI is too sharp to have in everyday driving. At one point, they just might like the better fuel economy. But wait, there's one substantial reason for such buying preference. It is the Abarth's racing support provided by 140 Abarth performance centers in Europe and the latest network of Abarth Racing preparation shops made up of six outlets in Italy, exclusively responsible for selling Abarth racing cars and servicing them for customers. With an Abarth the perception of driving is increased and amplified to the maximum, as each of its components expresses its vocation: its incisive engine sound, the noise of its wheels on the asphalt, its race-tuned suspension and acceleration worthy of an out-and-out sports car.

At this point, I'd bring to your attention the existence of the Essesse version of the Abarth Grande Punto in its production version, and also I'd like to mention the Alfa Romeo MiTo GTA which has not been launched as a production car and is still being kept on ice. The real competitor to the Abarth Punto Evo is the Ibiza Cupra, a tuned car able to satisfy the most hardcore driving enthusiasts with 180 HP and very high torque across the broad range.

Even without the aid of fancy double clutch sequential gearbox, with a "bring more power to driver senses" approach, the Abarth Punto Evo represents the very best of the Abarth sporting spirit. The previous Abarth Grande Punto was admired by the customers aged between 18 and 30, and the new one has an intention to win the hearts of 40 year olds who are young at heart.

The perception of a worthy Abarth in particular, is guaranteed by the 165 HP delivered by a MultiAir engine with enhanced power level to guarantee even more driving performance and adrenaline. This MultiAir 1.4 Turbo petrol engine is the result of the successful union of Powertrain technology (FPT) and the work of Abarth engineers. They performed studies and numerous technical tests before finally producing the innovative 165 HP MultiAir 1400 16v. Tuning was carried out with great care by the engineers, who used a new oversized Garrett turbine to guarantee winning and sporting performance: maximum torque of 250 Nm at 2250 rpm for acceleration from 0-100km/h in just 7.9 seconds.

The Abarth Punto Evo is fitted with a driver controlled system much like the Alfa Romeo's Alfa D.N.A. selector. It acts on the engine, brakes and steering, allowing two instead of three different vehicle behavior modes based on the driving style best suited to the situation or the customer’s wishes: super sports (Sport) and urban (Normal). There's no All-Whether mode. The selector is located in an ergonomic position, the same as the D.N.A. rocker switch – in front of the gear lever on the tunnel. As the driver selects one of two operating modes by moving the lever, the selection is displayed with a message on the control panel. The Normal mode brings a relaxed drive in complete safety, while Sport position unleashes the full potential of the machine, making the car even more responsive and the setting of the electric power steering is altered to increase load for a sportier feel. Greater focus is also placed on safety, with automatic activation of the TTC system (Torque Transfer Control). This device improves the transfer of drive torque to the wheels and, in particular, guarantees excellent cornering behavior, thus making the car safer and more entertaining during a sporty drive. More specifically, the TTC is a differential lock system that uses the mechanical differential as a reactive element, distributing torque through the braking system by means of the ESP sensors (wheel speed, steering wheel angle, yaw etc.). TTC should be referred as the Q2 electronic differential in the Alfa Romeo's nomenclature. The TTC is activated automatically in sport mode and self-regulates the lock percentage according to dynamic characteristics such as speed.

The driver is assisted, rally style, by a Gear Shift Indicator (GSI). This intuitive ‘co-pilot’ on the Abarth Punto Evo offers the driver suggestions about the right moment to shift up to keep fuel consumption down by means of a message on the control panel.

The Abarth Punto Evo MultiAir 1.4 petrol engine is enhanced by the innovative Start&Stop system. The device controls temporary engine cut-off and subsequent restarting when the engine is idling at a standstill. In these situations, which are typical of heavy traffic in urban areas and when stopped at traffic lights, , the system automatically cuts out the engine when the control strategy permits in order to reduce fuel consumption and emissions by up to 10% in urban conditions and 3.5% over an NEDC type-approval cycle. More specifically, fuel consumption is 8.1 l/100km over an urban cycle, 6.0 l/100km over a combined cycle and 4.8 l/100km over an extra-urban cycle. Emissions from the MultiAir engine are low, ensuring Euro 5 type-approval with emissions of just 142 g/km. As soon as the brake pedal is released or a gear engaged, the system quickly restarts the engine to ensure the user an immediate response to controls. If the engine is switched off by mistake (a stall), when setting off from a traffic light, it can be restarted by simply pressing the clutch.

The Start&Stop system offers further advantages in terms of passenger compartment comfort because there is no vibration or noise.

The Punto Evo Abarth has 7 airbags fitted as the standard, including a driver knee bag. It is one of very few cars in its segment with a driver knee bag fitted as standard on all versions. Disc brakes are also standard on all wheels. But these are not the stock ones, as the front brakes are ventilated with fixed Brembo twin piston calipers. The suspension system is based on a tried and tested Abarth configuration: the front is a MacPherson independent suspension and the rear is an interconnected suspension (semi-independent) with torsion beam. Compared with normal braking systems reworked by Abarth, the anti-roll bar is oversized and the front springs are 20% stiffer.

Compared to the Fiat version, the front bumper has been broadened so that it runs seamlessly into the side strips and the front valence has been molded at the base to make room for side intakes, which guide and correct the airflow to significantly improve aerodynamic flow at the side, drawing inspiration from the rally version. The completely revised rear bumper incorporates side vents and a distinctive new diffuser that optimally channels the airflow. Compared with the previous version, the diffuser is now unframed to give it greater emphasis and its look reflects that of the front splitter. The twin exhaust tailpipes are larger in diameter, a clear tribute to Abarth's history, and also feature different satin finishes. The reverse and rear fog light functions have been moved to the centre of the diffuser to focus the attention, as on Formula 1 cars. New side reflectors frame and accentuate the aerodynamic profile almost as if to mirror the effect of the LED lights on the rear window. The spoiler has been fully revised in terms of its colour (now it is the same shade as the body to make the car's lines more continuous and dynamic) and above all in its volume: the new long, tapered shape improves cx and CZ performance values, making the Abarth Punto Evo even more stable.

The interior has also been fully redesigned. The appearance and finish of the materials used are reminiscent of the road surface on racetracks, thus taking the feel of the track inside the passenger compartment. The new central control console has been split into two, with the radio module featuring a glossy black surface, at the centre of which lies the LCD. The climate control system controls are positioned below, in a separate panel, while the air vents with a storage compartment are located above. The driving instruments produced specially by Jaeger feature larger speedometer and rev counter faces, a new sporty graphic layout and new hood to protect against the sun trimmed in leather with red and yellow top stitching. Work on the seats, with their new texture, is evident. Soft black leather is used to trim the seat and backrest while the containment bands are trimmed in hi-tech fabric to offer the right balance between comfort, breathability and resistance to wear. Just as before, it is still possible to fit Abarth Corse monocoque seats by Sabelt, which offer the best possible combination of sports seat characteristics, such as lightness and the ability to restrain the body in the presence of lateral and longitudinal forces.

The Abarth brand has already shown excellent results in 2009. The brand is experiencing continuous growth: from 2008 to the present day Abarth has sold nearly 22,000 cars, including 2700 Abarth Grande Punto cars during 2009, as well as more than 3300 performance kits. This commercial success is complemented by the inexorable growth in dealerships and official performance centres. Abarth is in fact completing its coverage of strategic cities in Europe such as Amsterdam and Paris, and in addition to consolidating its presence in existing markets it is extending to Eastern European markets such as Romania and countries in the Mediterranean basin such as Israel. The Abarth distribution network is a truly unique phenomenon, boasting 141 showrooms, 140 official performance centres and 300 service centres in Europe.