Having prevailed on the Fiat 500, this time on the Evo as Punto Abarth engineers have set their sights and that on the eve of its release in France that we have tested this version on special vitamin Rally of Corsica, in the hinterland between Ajaccio and Porto.
In Abarth performance is the watchword, as far as style engine side, the preparation of the scorpion must stand out from the city lambda if it is to deserve his badge.
At first, we are not disappointed. The Punto Abarth Evo is stocky and muscular with great detail reminiscent of a sporty character and stands unequivocally its commoner relative.
DESIGN
Difficult at first to miss the inlay logo on the grille ... The front bumper is larger with a design that looks beyond the aims to improve aerodynamics. The wings were made of the middle and allow better air flow pipe which will give better high speed stability. They are now painted it to make you sit a little further and reinforces the vehicle's aggressive appearance. Alloy wheels sport 17''reveal the scorpion, the emblem of the brand and the zodiacal sign of its founder Carlo Abarth.
The Abarth wears mini skirts that have been resized side, side baffles on the back, decorated with an extractor backup lights and fog antis centrally positioned and a double exit exhausts more wide and satin finish.
The interior is not left out and welcomes us with a pair of bucket seats Abarth Corse half leather, half-cloth for best effect (Optional € 1600) unless you have opted for the leather Sabelt , and Alcantara (€ 2000) which is downright demonic. No doubt therefore about the nature of sports gear, leather sport steering wheel is adjustable for height and depth, the dashboard is decorated with yellow and red stitched leather, the aluminum pedal speed is a standing invitation to heel tip and the driving position is excellent.
The dashboard is divided into two parts, a high and hard plastic rather easily scratched and a lower part in a grainy surface that recalls the original appearance of the bitumen, the two being separated by an edging, bright night.
The dials of the dashboard have been specially made by Jaeger for readability and highlight once again the competitive nature of the automobile. Finally the manettino level shifter allows you to select two driving modes, Normal or Sport, the latter having an influence on the torque engine, steering and braking
It is time to see if clothes make the least. The engine is an inline four-cylinder equipped with the technology and developing Multiair 165ch to 250Nm of torque at 2500t/mn in sport mode (230 nm in normal mode).
What's better than a special history of Rally of Corsica to test road handling? Two stages, and given the narrowness of roads, lack of protections and the nearby ravines Corsican hope that the frame is sufficiently accurate.
The first impressions are excellent. The engine has a nice tone and the respondent. The drive fits easily in curves and meets the finger and the eye at a steady pace, until a certain limit or support it could lose a bit of front grip. This limit is still in the case of aggressive driving with violent changes of direction or large mass transfers. In the attack, the Punto Abarth therefore requires a minimum of precision and delicacy, in which case it proves to be extremely entertaining. Well endowed with technology with ABS with EBD, ESP electronic stability control and ASR traction control it ensures a safety margin without significant as electronics do feel at any time. In addition, there are seven airbags including a knee and the Hill Holder system for easy hill starts.
Once firmly in hand, we enclenchons Manettino the Sport mode on history a little tickle the tail of the scorpion. The engine response is felt instantly and the Abarth really starting to take its full dimension. The Manettino, in addition to acting on the motor response, shortens the response time of the braking system, changes the setting of the direction and initiates the electronic torque transfer taxes which as its name suggests enhances the transfer of engine torque and performance of the mechanical differential.
The Punto Abarth Evo becomes a real toy in the endless series of switchbacks. Braking is strong thanks to its brake calipers Brembo dual piston and is done without ever taking the default frame. The car is equipped with McPherson front suspension with anti-roll bar and rear suspension with interconnected torsion axle.
The icing on the cake, the Punto Abarth is fitted with the Evo system start and stop with serial Multiair technology enables it to achieve consumption of 8.1 l / 100 km urban cycle, 6.0 l/100 km in combined cycle and 4.8 l/100 km Extra urban and emission of 142 g / km of CO2, thus avoiding the penalty unique to this type of vehicle.
At a price of only € 19,400, the Punto Abarth Evo is very well positioned to compete and offer you a car full of character and sporty design trend that promises you a real feeling behind the wheel. If for any reason, you do not find quite extreme for your taste, know that the kit Essesse should be available by the end of 2010 to € 3100 plus (kit installed - price tbc) with 180hp under the hood.
A dual-clutch gearbox is also expected by 2011.
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