Tuesday 14th September 2010

Extra Poke For Abarths

Esseesse versions of 500C and Punto Evo set for Paris show

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Fiat is set to unveil new Esseesse tuning kits for its Abarth Punto Evo and Abarth 500C models at the Paris motor show in a few weeks time.

The Punto Evo Esseesse takes the car up to similar levels as the pre-Evo Abarth Puntos received, meaning 177bhp and 199lb ft - enough for a 135mph top speed and 0-62mph in 7.5secs.

Oddly, but fascinatingly, Fiat is keen to point out that the Punto Evo Esseesse on show at Paris will be in Campovolo Grey. Apparently, this is the grey shade used for aircraft on the Campovolo airfield in Turin, opposite Abarth's historic HQ, where Karl Abarth used to buy paint for his cars.

On a less obscure note, the 500C Esseesse will be shown alongside the Punto, complete with 158bhp (up from 135) and 170lb ft of torque, making it good for 0-62mph in 7.6secs and 131mph.

The 500C Esseese also gets a fetching two-tone paint scheme, with Pista Grey on top and 'that' Campovolo Grey below.

This design is supposed to "combine the two 'souls' of the car: the elegance of a cabriolet above and the out-and-out sporty performance of the Esseesse kit below".

Over in the world of F1, meanwhile, Messrs Massa and Alonso have taken delivery of an Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari each, Fiat's 180bhp, £30k Ferrari-ised 500.

Presumably, Massa's example has an in-built system that forces him to pull over should Alonso appear in his rear-view mirror...

 

 

[Merry]

i'll take the 500.

Am i having an odd day?

[edo]

gay boy.

[nsmith1180]

Ill take the 500 too, not that I am gay, its just that that punto is Fugly.

[GTRene]

those "mini" cars those days look like small SUV cars/trucks so high...


although most F1 drivers are not that big, but still the car is.

[Beefmeister]

That is one of the most awkward photos i've ever seen.

Awful.

[supermotonut]

they clearly don't wont to be pictured nxt to that thing!! these 500's are an abortion!!

[bobberz]

I wonder how Henrik Fisker feels about the Evo's grille?

On another note, didn't the 500 EsseEsse have 177hp or suchlike already, or is that just the hatch?

[okgo]

why are they so bloody slow?

[Alex]

Why aren't they sold with the esseesse kit already fitted? Is it just a money thing?

[TheEnd]

Italians link up with SS in search for more power.

[Marf]

okgo said:

why are they so bloody slow?

Yes, it is odd. I'd have thought given they weigh a whisker under a tonne that with 177hp they'd be doing 60 in under 7 seconds.

[Targarama]

Beefmeister said:

That is one of the most awkward photos i've ever seen.

Awful.

Almost looks like they are Photoshopped in later

[TheRoadWarrior]

Targarama said:

Beefmeister said:

That is one of the most awkward photos i've ever seen.

Awful.

Almost looks like they are Photoshopped in later

...and that Alonso is doing a sorta camp-hand-wave; "OOoooooooo, beHAVE!"

[soad]

Erm...odd photos, almost bizarre.
Still, should be happy enough about being given those Red ones to play with, no?

[GTRene]

those cars are about 1.50mtr high...that why it almost come to those guys schoulders...

[robsco]

I like them a lot, particularly the Punto.

[ex6]

soad said:

Still, should be happy enough about being given those Red ones to play with, no?

I doubt it ... The money they are making, and with the cars they already have - REAL Ferraris, not something "red and italian" - those 500-s are more like ugly and sith-slow shopping trolleys for those two.

[bobt]

okgo said:

why are they so bloody slow?

Because they are so bloody heav (0-62) and not very slippery (V max)

[Marf]

But that's just it, compared to most other hatchbacks these days they aren't heavy. They weigh in just under a tonne. Compared to say the Corsa VXR its positively svelte!

[okgo]

Exactly.

I remember having a 306 gti that weighed a fair amount more, and had 167 bhp, and it was not only quicker to 60, but also went to 140. Poor show here I feel.