Made-in-India Fiat Punto Abarth showcased; launches this year - IAB Report
Could put out 140 bhp and 200 Nm.
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles India today launched the Abarth performance brand. The first car to be launched under the brand is the 595 Competizione. Alongside the launch, the Fiat Abarth Punto, based on the Punto Evo, was also showcased. The Punto Abarth will be the second launch from the performance division and will be seen in showrooms around Diwali.
Though the exterior is made to look sporty and performance-oriented, there really is not much to differentiate the hot hatch from the top-end Punto variant currently on sale. Look closely though and you will notice the absence of the Fiat badge. There is not one Fiat badge on the entire car; the only logos seen are the Scorpion logos belonging to Abarth, and then there is the contrasting horizontal slat on the front grille, red ORVMs, side decals and sporty-looking alloys.
The all-black interior features the signature yellow and red contrast stitching. The steering wheel also features the Abarth scorpion and machined pedals in the footwell complete the changes.
Abarth is all about performance and changes under the hood define the car. The Abarth Punto will feature the same 1.4-liter T-Jet engine seen in the Linea, but it has been fettled by Abarth to pump out around 140 bhp and 200 Nm of torque. These are not official figures; those will be revealed at the time of launch.
All-wheel disc brakes, a ride height lowered by 20 mm, stiffer suspension setting and 16-inch wheels wrapped in 195/55 section tires complete the technical changes.
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The Punto Abarth once launched will be the first true hot hatch in the country. It is the model that is likely to bring performance to the masses provided that Fiat can price it aggressively, taking advantage of the Punto's fully localized body and interior.