RE: Fiat Punto Abarth SS: Spotted
Tuesday 14th October 2014
You have to love Italian logic sometimes. Back when the Fiat Punto Abarth (or whatever order of names was decided on then) was launched in 2008 there was just the one model with 155hp. It sat in the middle of warm hatches like Mini Coopers and faster stuff like Renaultsport Clios. A proper Cooper S rival would have been cool, many thought, given the standard car was quite well received.
When did you last see one? Looks greatFiat did offer one. Sort of. Rather than a standalone model, a Cooper S to the Abarth's Cooper, customers had to buy aftermarket kits from Abarth to upgrade their cars. Wooden crates of suspension and engine parts would be delivered to those who had purchased the full Abarth Punto experience, to then be fitted at an Abarth retailer. A lot of faff, and around £3,500 more expensive too. As a distinct model in the range, that premium for a faster, sharper Punto would probably have been viewed as more acceptable. Given there are just two '1949 White' SS Puntos in the classifieds, it implies many didn't opt for the crates.
1.4 upped to 180hp with Esseesse upgradesFrom reading a few contemporary reviews the Esseesse and Assetto made the Punto Abarth what it really should have been. Perhaps not quite up to levels of a Cooper S or Clio RS but keener, more communicative and just a better resolved hot hatch. As one of the pre facelift car also, this Abarth Punto thankfully avoids the later rather dubious 'Evo' styling tweaks. In white with white wheels and red accents it looks superb actually.
Fiat Punto Abarth SS: Spotted
The fast Punto as it was meant to be with both Assetto and Esseesse performance packs
When did you last see one? Looks great
The specs of both the Esseesse power kit and Assetto handling pack are intriguing. The former added a different Garrett turbo running 1.5 bar of pressure instead of 1.3, a new exhaust, an ECU remap and intercooler tweaks amongst other changes. Power went from 155hp to 180 and torque from 170 to 200lb ft.
A Punto Abarth with Esseesse and Assetto upgrades runs 15mm lower than a standard Abarth on unique 18-inch wheels with Pirelli P Zeros. There are also cross-drilled brakes and uprated pads. Some worthwhile upgrades then.
1.4 upped to 180hp with Esseesse upgrades
As you would expect from a buyer dedicated enough to buy wooden crates of parts for their new Fiat Punto and then keep it for six years, this Punto SS has been exceptionally well cared for. The oil has been changed every 6,000 miles, the cambelt was done a year ago and it's now being stored in a garage under a cover for maximum protection. You won't find a better one, surely. To be honest you may struggle just to find another Punto SS but let's not escape the point.
Sure, there are some excellent alternatives for the same money; see this Cooper S and a very nice version of that Renault Clio for the same money. But it would be boring if we all liked the same things and bought the same cars. For something a little different with rarity value and some Italian vim the Punto SS really appeals.
FIAT PUNTO ABARTH ESSEESSE
Engine: 1,368cc 4-cyl turbo
Transmission: 6-speed manual, front-wheel drive
Power (hp): 180@5,750rpm
Torque (lb ft): 200@2,750rpm
MPG: 42.2mpg (NEDC combined)
CO2: 159g/km
First registered: 2008
Recorded mileage: 62,756
Price new: £18,395
Yours for: £7,500
See the original advert here.
Discussion
scarecrow said:
I'd have one instead of a cooper S or Clio just to be different!
I'd probably so the same. Saw a red Abarth Punto a couple of days ago and being fairly rare, I had a second glance at it. Can't say I'd do the same for the Clio or Mini. No idea about running costs and reliability though.
Living in Turin at the minute and although these are popular enough (turin being fiats home)...the 500 abarth/essesse/595/695/tributo and whatever other model type, outshine the Punto. They are Bloody everywhere. The pops and bangs down little cobble streets, add to the occassion. Fantastic.
I agree that these still look good and arguably nicer than a Punto Evo. I've not driven an Abarth but I've driven a normal Grande Punto and a friend had one. I'd prefer a 500 SS because I really like the interior and it's a bit lighter. People seem to say the Abarth 500 is a bit stiff though with the SS suspension though. I think a Grande Punto T-jet with a similar engine and tyres is a good first sporty hatch. It's cheap enough to run, buy and insure but handles ok, with decent torque so it feels quicker than it really is. It's like the petrol equivalent of a Fabia VRS Tdi.
The Evo esseesse is much better, dubious updates indeed, I'm not biased at all 
crate kits are a right pain in the arse, try to convince an insurer its not a modified vehicle, the hours I have spent
I suppose I should also get in the obligatory it's not a Fiat statement in, on the v5 the manufacturer is Abarth.
crate kits are a right pain in the arse, try to convince an insurer its not a modified vehicle, the hours I have spent
I suppose I should also get in the obligatory it's not a Fiat statement in, on the v5 the manufacturer is Abarth.
Edited by sandys on Tuesday 14th October 22:23
Having owned an Abarth Grande Punto Esseesse and a "newer" Abarth Punto Supersport I can say, hand on heart, that the Grande was a more engaging drive with a very aggressive map but all-in-all, the EVO Esseesse or Supersport with the Koni FSD upgrade is a far better car to drive.
Oh and to the author; The Assetto kit came with 18" wheels, springs and drilled discs. The Esseesse kit came with all the engine components and the parts from the Esseesse kit. It was delivered in one huge crate to the dealer and then fitted.
The Abarth Punto EVO Esseesse kit came without the turbo as the Multiair already has the little Garrett GT1446, instead it came with a set of Koni FSD shocks and was £2500.
There were around 20 Grande Esseesse cars registered, even less of the EVO.
Insurance can be confusing if you purchased the car new and had the kit fitted mid-term. The Esseesse is actually a different car, has its own ABI code and insurance rating. Explaining to an insurance company that you've got the same car, but it's different can prove for some interesting results
Reliability is good, the Grande suffers from poor suspension top mounts (I had two sets of rear and three sets of fronts replaced). The EVO top mounts have been revised and are better.
Oh and to the author; The Assetto kit came with 18" wheels, springs and drilled discs. The Esseesse kit came with all the engine components and the parts from the Esseesse kit. It was delivered in one huge crate to the dealer and then fitted.
The Abarth Punto EVO Esseesse kit came without the turbo as the Multiair already has the little Garrett GT1446, instead it came with a set of Koni FSD shocks and was £2500.
There were around 20 Grande Esseesse cars registered, even less of the EVO.
Insurance can be confusing if you purchased the car new and had the kit fitted mid-term. The Esseesse is actually a different car, has its own ABI code and insurance rating. Explaining to an insurance company that you've got the same car, but it's different can prove for some interesting results
Reliability is good, the Grande suffers from poor suspension top mounts (I had two sets of rear and three sets of fronts replaced). The EVO top mounts have been revised and are better.
Edited by will-w on Tuesday 14th October 22:33
It's rarer than a Clio, it's more practical than a 500 and has all the comforts you could want..
Cruise control, dual zone climate, leather, full glass roof - obviously if you could find one with the options ticked.
Main let down is the truly horrendous depreciation, and the 6000mile service interval can get a bit much if you do high mileage - it is a warm hatch after all
Cruise control, dual zone climate, leather, full glass roof - obviously if you could find one with the options ticked.
Main let down is the truly horrendous depreciation, and the 6000mile service interval can get a bit much if you do high mileage - it is a warm hatch after all
Not many reports of issues from owners of Abarths to be fair, it all seems quite robust.
I use the car as a daily runner 100 miles a day and also use it competitively quite a bit against many of its hot/warm hatch contemporaries, its more than up for it, a Clio has its benefits but so does the Abarth, two different approaches to the same thing.
I use the car as a daily runner 100 miles a day and also use it competitively quite a bit against many of its hot/warm hatch contemporaries, its more than up for it, a Clio has its benefits but so does the Abarth, two different approaches to the same thing.
will-w said:
Having owned an Abarth Grande Punto Esseesse and a "newer" Abarth Punto Supersport I can say, hand on heart, that the Grande was a more engaging drive with a very aggressive map but all-in-all, the EVO Esseesse or Supersport with the Koni FSD upgrade is a far better car to drive.
The Evo initially had an aggressive map making sport mode a bit ridiculous, it was tweaked with an update and I couldn't be happier, made the car scrabble for grip a lot less with more linear delivery, more controllable in corners etc.Edited by sandys on Wednesday 15th October 10:52
There were only a handful of Abarth GPs registered in the UK so the odds of hearing back from owners is slim..
The gearbox is a known issue although much stronger than the one fitted to the 500s which seems to be a common point of failure. General reliability on the GP is nowhere near as good as the 500 with plenty of tales banging around the internet of problems mostly down to poor assembly and finish. The Evo is much better put together just a shame it doesn't look as good as the Abarth 500. The GP (and Evo) are better driver's cars though so I guess it all comes down to whether you want flair or engagement in your drive over which is preferable (500 or Punto).
The Koni suspension kit is the essential upgrade - the 500's suspension is harsh and somewhat compromised, it works better with the SS upgrade springs but still nowhere near as good as the FSD kit. The GP benefits from a more favourable sprung/unsprung balance but (as pointed out) the top mounts were dreadful. Unless you've got nice smooth roads around you and your commute the odds are the top mounts will be trashed within a few years. The dampers will likely go shortly after if it isn't dealt with immediately.
The gearbox is a known issue although much stronger than the one fitted to the 500s which seems to be a common point of failure. General reliability on the GP is nowhere near as good as the 500 with plenty of tales banging around the internet of problems mostly down to poor assembly and finish. The Evo is much better put together just a shame it doesn't look as good as the Abarth 500. The GP (and Evo) are better driver's cars though so I guess it all comes down to whether you want flair or engagement in your drive over which is preferable (500 or Punto).
The Koni suspension kit is the essential upgrade - the 500's suspension is harsh and somewhat compromised, it works better with the SS upgrade springs but still nowhere near as good as the FSD kit. The GP benefits from a more favourable sprung/unsprung balance but (as pointed out) the top mounts were dreadful. Unless you've got nice smooth roads around you and your commute the odds are the top mounts will be trashed within a few years. The dampers will likely go shortly after if it isn't dealt with immediately.
sandys said:
Not many reports of issues from owners of Abarths to be fair, it all seems quite robust.
I use the car as a daily runner 100 miles a day and also use it competitively quite a bit against many of its hot/warm hatch contemporaries, its more than up for it, a Clio has its benefits but so does the Abarth, two different approaches to the same thing.
I use the car as a daily runner 100 miles a day and also use it competitively quite a bit against many of its hot/warm hatch contemporaries, its more than up for it, a Clio has its benefits but so does the Abarth, two different approaches to the same thing.
will-w said:
Having owned an Abarth Grande Punto Esseesse and a "newer" Abarth Punto Supersport I can say, hand on heart, that the Grande was a more engaging drive with a very aggressive map but all-in-all, the EVO Esseesse or Supersport with the Koni FSD upgrade is a far better car to drive.
The Evo initially had an aggressive map making sport mode a bit ridiculous, it was tweaked with an update and I couldn't be happier, made the car scrabble for grip a lot less with more linear delivery, more controllable in corners etc.Edited by sandys on Wednesday 15th October 10:52
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