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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).
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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. |
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The star of the Abarth stand in
Frankfurt next week will be the Grande Punto Abarth
“essesse” (Super Sport) prototype fitted with a
booster kit that boosts the model's power up to
almost 180 bhp. |
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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
Frankfurt will also be able to admire the extraordinary
Grande Punto Abarth S2000. This is a racing car designed for
racing stables, and under the management of Abarth Racing
Operations, it is competing in the 2007 Italian Rally
Championship, with Giandomenico Basso and his navigator
Mitia Dotta, and the IRC (Intercontinental Rally Challenge)
with drivers Anton Alén, Andrea Navarra and Umberto
Scandola. 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 Europe and
elsewhere, to compete in domestic and international rallies.
And now, thanks to this technological superiority, the new
Grande Punto Abarth S2000 tackles these two championships as
the title-holder, with the same determination. 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.
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