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Old 02-24-2009, 01:47 PM   #1
AVANTI R5
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Default Fiat updates the Grande Punto Abarth SS for 2009




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Europe's love affair with - and America's envy of - hot hatches knows almost no bounds, with makers from all quadrants throwing out spiced-up versions of just about everything imaginable, from Skodas to Peugeots to Fiats. One of the latest to join the club is an updated version of the Fiat Grande Punto Abarth SS, due to make its debut at the Geneva Motor Show next week.

Like the 500 Abarth SS and Grande Punto SS package before it, the new car uses a 16-valve 1.4L petrol turbocharged four-cylinder rated at 180hp (134kW) to scoot it to 62mph (100km/h) in just 7.5 seconds and on to a top speed of 133mph (215km/h). The spritely little engine does its best to provide low-end fun with peak torque of 199lb-ft (270Nm) coming as soon as 3,000rpm.

Higher in the rev-range is where the car will want to play, however, as above 4,000rpm a special exhaust valve opens to reduce backpressure and yield a sportier sound.

Other performance enhancements for the little hatch include cross-drilled brake discs and high-performance pads. The 18x7.5in alloy wheels are wrapped with 215/40 rubber for good grip, while a 20mm lowering kit gives the car a lower roll center and a more aggressive look.

The mean appearance is taken further with a grey paintjob, aggressive aero treatment and red Abarth accents. Inside, the car gets the Blue&Me MAP satellite nav system, plus Magneti Marelli telematics. A custom set of Sabelt Abarth Racing leather seats keep weight down while remaining track-approved.

Price hasn't been revealed yet, but expect it to come next week when the car is shown in full
http://www.motorauthority.com/fiat-u...-for-2009.html
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Old 02-24-2009, 02:12 PM   #2
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looks good.

Nick
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Old 02-24-2009, 02:43 PM   #3
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want.
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Old 02-24-2009, 03:32 PM   #4
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They had this car on last weeks episode of top gear and it looked like one hell of a fun car to drive. I'd rock it.
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Old 02-24-2009, 03:49 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by HybridBoxer View Post
They had this car on last weeks episode of top gear and it looked like one hell of a fun car to drive. I'd rock it.
That was the 500 Abarth SS, not the Grande Punto. Still a sweet car though.
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Old 02-25-2009, 06:53 AM   #6
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Sweeeeeet!... It's the italian Yaris
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Old 02-25-2009, 07:15 AM   #7
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yummy ... FIAT, I'll take one please
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Old 02-25-2009, 07:30 AM   #8
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take off the stickers
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Old 02-25-2009, 02:03 PM   #9
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Originally Posted by occytron wrc View Post
That was the 500 Abarth SS, not the Grande Punto. Still a sweet car though.
Oh, my bad. Looks similar though.
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Old 02-25-2009, 07:59 PM   #10
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The 500 is cutesy, this is modern and fast. Me likey.
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Old 02-25-2009, 08:33 PM   #11
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Wow...That's 128HP/L. I wonder how much more power they will extract from this 1.4L engine ... They started at 135HP with the original Abarth 500.
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Old 02-26-2009, 03:50 AM   #12
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Originally Posted by neg_matnik View Post
Wow...That's 128HP/L. I wonder how much more power they will extract from this 1.4L engine ... They started at 135HP with the original Abarth 500.
That's not out of character for a turbo'd engine. Remember, the WRX made 113.5 hp/liter back in 2001.
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Old 01-05-2013, 11:52 AM   #13
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This Punto is currently on my shopping list. Will post up if I end up getting it. Its got really decent spec for the price compared to others in the segment. Only things missing are HIDs and heated seats. Seating position is definitely better than the Alfa Mito and, of course, cheaper. Having a really tough time deciding what car to get: Polo GTi, Audi A1(1.6 TDi), Mini Clubman(diesel), Suzuki Swift Sport (GTi), Abarth Punto Supersport, Alfa Mito TDi. Not a huge fan of VW product, a bit too vanilla for my tastes. A1 is a decent ride but a bit bland as well. Mini, best driving experience, even in diesel form but so ubiquitous and really meager spec for the money. Swift gets the best spec of all and is a cracking drive but maybe not as much panache as the other marques. Will test the Punto and Mito and see how they compare. But sitting in the Punto, its clear the driving position suits me much better (can't get the steering wheel close enough or low enough in the Mito).

Decisions, decisions.
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Old 01-05-2013, 12:06 PM   #14
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Suzuki Swift Sport would be my choice, cheap and reliable. Rent4Ring uses them as rental cars for the Nordschleife

http://www.rent4ring.de/en/info/rent...dschleife.html
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Old 01-06-2013, 04:33 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Arnie View Post
This Punto is currently on my shopping list. Will post up if I end up getting it. Its got really decent spec for the price compared to others in the segment. Only things missing are HIDs and heated seats. Seating position is definitely better than the Alfa Mito and, of course, cheaper. Having a really tough time deciding what car to get: Polo GTi, Audi A1(1.6 TDi), Mini Clubman(diesel), Suzuki Swift Sport (GTi), Abarth Punto Supersport, Alfa Mito TDi. Not a huge fan of VW product, a bit too vanilla for my tastes. A1 is a decent ride but a bit bland as well. Mini, best driving experience, even in diesel form but so ubiquitous and really meager spec for the money. Swift gets the best spec of all and is a cracking drive but maybe not as much panache as the other marques. Will test the Punto and Mito and see how they compare. But sitting in the Punto, its clear the driving position suits me much better (can't get the steering wheel close enough or low enough in the Mito).

Decisions, decisions.
I'm pretty sure at least half of the intent of your post was to breed jealousy over here... I wish these could even be decisions over here in the States. First world problems...
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Old 01-06-2013, 06:50 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rob1n1 View Post
I'm pretty sure at least half of the intent of your post was to breed jealousy over here... I wish these could even be decisions over here in the States. First world problems...
I'm so transparent! It is nice being back here and having the choices of fun small hot hatches.

Quote:
Originally Posted by torquemada View Post
Suzuki Swift Sport would be my choice, cheap and reliable. Rent4Ring uses them as rental cars for the Nordschleife

http://www.rent4ring.de/en/info/rent...dschleife.html
Yeah, seen them often at the Ring as well.

I'll try to get a test drive in the Swift this week along with the Abarth Punto/Mito. I think the Mito might be off the list because of driving position though it is pretty sexy. Might look at SEAT as well and see if they have a Cupra model in my budget. But I don't really like DSGs especially these one's that won't hold a gear and shift at redline regardless. I'm back and forth about diesel vs petrol (as you can see from my choices above) since my commute is 43 km one way each day. Which is part of the reason why the Abarth 500 is no longer on the list. Driving position is a bit uncomfy for me on my long commute. But its also a fun car up to about 7/10ths and would be awesome for a short commute, city hopper. The thing that is nice with the Punto is that I can get it with the 180hp motor and that's helpful for longer autobahn trips.
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Old 01-06-2013, 08:26 AM   #17
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Renault Clio 3 RS



because Clio 4 you can get the last ones cheap, they are reliable and ridiculously fast at the Nordschleife

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Old 01-06-2013, 08:51 AM   #18
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Yeah, Clio RS cup was pretty high on the list. Forgot to put that on there. I'd have to contact my local dealer to see if there any around in standard RS with Recaro's. Its definitely the weapon of choice for ultimate driver's car in this segment. No doubt. I was looking at the SportAuto Edition but the list price is out of my budget (27k). However, poor car is just rather ugly. Not to say Impreza's are pretty and they've won my heart! I love the Clio though.

torquemada - since you're playing along. Here's the deal, 23k***8364; max budget list price. Has to be fun to drive but with a reserve of some comfort as it will be a long daily commuter as well as be used to drive around the Continent. Good seats/seating position are important. (stuff like Xenons, heated seats and brembos are nice but not a deal breaker if the rest of package is good).

What would be your top diesel and petrol hot hatch choice? Though gas will be covered by company, I need to see if there any additional tax implications with how much gas I use. 9 l/100 with the Clio or the Abarth is pretty high compared to any of the diesels that use half that amount.

Last edited by Arnie; 01-06-2013 at 09:12 AM.
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Old 01-06-2013, 10:07 AM   #19
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Skoda Fabia RS

http://www.skoda.de/index.php?e=348-9-1-5-2

Seat Ibiza FR 2,0 TDI CR

http://carconfigurator.seat.de/seat-...de.view?msk=1#

Citroen DS3 THP 155

http://www.citroen.de/Resources/Cont...sliste_ds3.pdf

Opel Corsa OPC

http://www.opel.de/fahrzeuge/modelle...ator.html#trim

Peugeot 208 THP 155

http://www.peugeot.de/konfigurator/208/3-turer/

would still choose between Clio and Swift

and wouldn´t touch a Fiat with a 10ft pole
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Old 01-06-2013, 10:28 AM   #20
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Cheers! Thanks so much for your suggestions. What don't you like about the Fiat?

Found a new Clio with Recaros on Mobile.de in Freiburg. Hmmmm. I need to sit in one and see if I can get the positioning I like. Wish the mpgs weren't so poor on all of these petrol versions (real life average being around 9.5 l/100). Even the Swift is nowhere near as economical as advertised. But love how the Swift is jampacked with all the trimmings. You want for nothing in that car and 4k cheaper than all the others. But I agree with you, ultimate driving experience in the segment, Clio, ultimate spec/driving/bang for buck: Swift. Better hop by those dealers this week.

Afraid I don't like the Seat and Skoda as they only come with DSG, prefer to shift myself. Opel, cool car but not a big Opel fan. Pug, always open to them but would have to wait on a performance model. Every "sporting" model since the 106 XSi/GTi has been pretty disappointing. I'm hoping the 208 brings back driving experience of the 205 GTi. Though I should test drive one anyway.

Last edited by Arnie; 01-06-2013 at 10:43 AM.
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Old 01-06-2013, 10:43 AM   #21
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still not reliable

http://blog.autoreparaturen.de/servi...er-spitze.html

look at the Punto
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Old 01-06-2013, 11:28 AM   #22
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double post

Last edited by Arnie; 01-06-2013 at 12:30 PM.
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Old 01-06-2013, 11:28 AM   #23
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Thanks for that. To be fair to the Punto, the statistics say that the current model has "especially few reliability issues" over the 2 years of 2010/11(as a high a rating as, say, the mini). This coincides with the introduction of the new current punto generation whereas the Swift actually has a poorer rating over the same time period (2010/11). To a certain extent, reliability is a bit lower on my priority list as its a company car. So all maintenance is covered.

Interestingly, according to the article the most common issues were electrical, especially on models with start/stop tech. Which is something that I've always wondered about. I wondered if cars with S/S go through starters, batteries and alternators faster than older models without S/S.

What's super ironic on that list is that the Honda Jazz/Fit is at the bottom of the list in that segment. So much fo Honda reliability.
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