Links: Exterior & Interior Video , Press Release & Images , 180 Hp “Esseesse” Version
The Grande Punto Abarth “esseesse” kit or SS for short, was officially revealed at the IAA 2007 last week. Available exclusively from authorized Abarth dealers in early 2008, the sport kit includes a number of visual and mechanical enchantments. With the “esseesse” kit, the Abarth’s 1.4-litre turbocharged engine delivers 180 hp @ 5,750 rpm and a maximum torque of 272 Nm (201-lbs/ft) compared to the standard model’s 155 Hp and 206 Nm (152-lbs/ft) of torque. Combined with a 6-speed manual gearbox, the enhanced engine raises the Abarth’s top speed from 208 km/h (129 mph) 215 km/h (134 mph) while acceleration from 0-100 km/h (62 mph) drops from 8.2 sec to 7.7 sec. -Click “Read More…” belowOther mechanical modifications include the special suspension set up (both the front and rear suspension has been lowered by a further 20 mm compared to the Grande Punto Abarth), and the enhanced braking system (the front discs are perforated and fitted with high-performance pads).
Since being faster isn’t enough for most people, the “esseesse” pack also includes a very aggressive bodykit that adds new bumpers, side sills, large twin-exhaust pipes, a roof spoiler, plenty of stickers and 18-inch alloy wheels. For the moment at least, Abarth hasn't announced any accesories for the interior so we added the photos of the standard Grande Punto Abarth's cabin.
According to Fiat, the “esseesse” kit is reserved especially for the Grande Punto Abarth, and can only be installed at official Abarth dealers. The car can be converted at the time of sale, up to 1 year after purchase, or after 20,000 km on the road. Once the work has been done, the tuner will deal with the administration required to have the vehicle approved.
Just as the Grande Punto Abarth went on sale in 
Press Release
The legendary Abarth ‘Scorpion’ returns
After the official presentation in March this year, Abarth now makes its return at the Frankfurt Motor Show. 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 stand will focus on two important concepts linked to the brand’s revival, which represent the most characteristic aspects of its identity: on one hand, the racing world, and on the other, conversions and boosted performance achieved by the application of highly technological solutions in a simple, intuitive package.
The first concept is presented very effectively with the display of a Grande Punto Abarth S2000, positioned on a large steel platform in the shape of a scorpion, to underline both the power and the unique nature of the technical features of this car.
The second concept is expressed on the stand in two different ways. First of all, there is a large photo-quality configurator, that allows visitors to appreciate and examine hands-on the elements that are important in the conversion world. But the real novelty at the show is the Grande Punto Abarth “essesse” (Super Sport) prototype, exhibited on a large glass platform, under which are a number of 3D monitors. 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.
Grande Punto Abarth “essesse” prototype (Super Sport)
The absolute star of the stand is the Grande Punto Abarth “essesse” (Super Sport) prototype. A jewel of assertiveness and elegance, the car is offered with a booster kit that almost doubles its power output with relation to the basic model (up to almost 180 bhp). The ‘“essesse”’ kit also envisages a number of specific elements that accentuate both the sporty look of the Abarth model (for example adhesives with the ‘essesse’ logo or a chequered flag) and its dynamic behaviour, with a particular low stance or a more powerful braking system. This is a feature that maintains a brand tradition: for example, the Fiat 500 of 1958 delivered 13 bhp at 4000 rpm and a top speed of 85 km/h, while the Fiat 500 Abarth of the same year, produced 26 bhp at 5000 rpm and a top speed of 118 km/h.
The Grande Punto Abarth and the Grande Punto Abarth with the ‘essesse’ kit aim to revive the thrill of those cars, offering an opportunity, addressed to the young in particular, of entering the racing world in total safety and at an accessible price.
Grande Punto Abarth S2000
The public in
Powered by a 2000 cc aspirated engine that delivers 270 bhp, with 4-wheel drive, the new Grande Punto Abarth S2000 is the heir to the version that won the 2006 European title and the Intercontinental Rally Challenge with Giandomenico Basso and Mitia Dotta, and took the 2006 Italian Rally Championship winning 7 races.
We must underline that the approximately 25 cars built so far have been ordered by several racing stables in
The head of Racing Operations for Abarth & C. Spa is Claudio Berro, who can draw on a staff with a great deal of experience in the racing sector as well as a team of outstanding drivers.
Even though Fiat hasn’t considered reviving the Autobianchi brand and its legendary A112, it seems like the new Fiat 500 has awakened memories from the past in Considered by many as the Italian “MINI”, the Autobianchi A112 was a sleek supermini based on the Fiat 127 that remained in production for a whopping 17 years from 1969 to 1986 selling around 1.3 million units. The A112 was subsequently replaced by the Autobianchi Y10 (predecessor of the Lancia Ypsilon). In 1989 the Autobianchi badge was dropped in favor of Lancia's except in
The original A112 Abarth was introduced in 1971 and it became an instant success among young drivers. At first the A112 Abarth came out with a 59Hp 965 cc engine which was replaced by a 70Hp 1,049 cc unit coupled to a five-speed gearbox in 1975. Weighing in at just 700 kg (1,540 lb) the A112 Abarth was a nimble little hatch that rightly found many admirers in
Via: Autoblog.it
Via: Autoblog.it
As much as we love horsepower-crazy rear-wheel drive cars, “mini-bombs” have their own appeal; they’re fast, cheap to buy and run (with European standards) and they’re your best bet in moving around densely populated cities. Among the two, the first one to come out in the European market will be the Fiat 500 Abarth which will get a sporty bodykit, and most importantly, a 1.4 T-Jet engine powering the front wheels through a 6speed manual gearbox. While Autoexpress assumes that the Abarth will be fitted with the 150Hp version of the 1.4-litre engine, in our opinion, it’s more logical that Fiat will avoid any perfomance conflicts with the Grande Punto Abarth preferring the 120Hp version.
The Ka ST, which will replace the current SportKa with its normally aspirated 1.6-liter engine, will make its appearance towards the end of 2008. While we’re pretty sure about the 500’s mechanics, there’s little to say with certainty about the Ka ST. Its basic versions will definitely wear the same powertrains as the 500, but there’s no word on whether Fiat & Ford’s agreement includes the top-of-the-range 1.4 T-Jet engine. Then again, is it possible (mechanic-wise and cost-wise) for Ford to put one of its own powetrains –lets say for example, the new 125Hp 1.6-liter, on the 500/Ka platform? We seriously doubt it.
Via: Autoblog.it , Source: Autoexpress
Technorati: Fiat+500, Abarth, Ford+Ka+ST, automobile, cars, automotive, vehicles, autos, Carscoop, blogs, 2007, images, pictures
