Abarth has given a double
UK debut this weekend to the new 500C and Abarth Punto
Evo on the occasion of the Goodwood Festival of Speed,
the two new Scorpion sports' models going on sale across
the UK dealer network from today priced at £17,500 and
£16,500 respectively. Both cars have been seen in action
up the "Goodwood Hill".
Launched in the UK in
July 2008, the Abarth brand has has continued to find
new fans in the form of enthusiast drivers wishing to
express themselves through their choice of car. And the
two new Abarth models retain the previous models’ good
looks and thrilling styling, while introducing exciting
news ideas, power upgrades, and a host of useful
equipment – much of it as standard.
In keeping with
Abarth’s philosophy of ‘Making the Ordinary
Extraordinary’, Abarth has taken a convertible car and
made it its own in the shape of the new Abarth 500C
while, at first glance, the new Abarth Punto Evo clearly
has a more aggressive look with sporting credentials for
all to see.
Abarth 500C
Priced at £17,500 OTR,
the Abarth 500C represents good value when compared with
its main rivals. As well as the Abarth Competizione MTA
gearbox with steering wheel paddle shift, and the
electric hood with glass rear window and third brake
light incorporated into the spoiler, the car receives,
as standard, a host of other equipment.
This includes seven
airbags, xenon headlights, TTC (torque transfer
control), parking sensors, Blue&Me hands-free
telecommunications system, leather steering wheel and
16-inch alloy wheels. A full range of options includes
automatic climate control, leather sports interior, bi-colour
paint, red brake callipers and coloured Abarth side
stripes and mirrors. Proof that the 500C is a true
Abarth comes in the form of its 140bhp 1.4 16v Turbo
T-Jet 140 engine, which provides the convertible with a
top speed of 127mph and a 0-62mph time of 8.1 seconds.
But the frugal unit returns 43mpg fuel economy on the
combined cycle.
Abarth Punto
Evo
The Abarth Punto Evo
meanwhile costs £16,500 OTR and, like the Abarth 500C,
features an impressive standard equipment list. This
includes six airbags, TTC, Eco Gear Shift Indicator (EGSI),
performance sport switch, Start&Stop, 17-inch alloy
wheels with 5-claw spokes and Blue&Me. An ‘Interscope’
hi-fi system, automatic climate control, rain sensor,
and tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS) are among the
long list of options. The Abarth Punto Evo is powered by
Fiat Powertrain Technologies’ new 165bhp 1.4 16v
MultiAir engine which can accelerate the car from
0-62mph in just 7.9 seconds, and on to a top speed of
132mph, and yet returns more than 47mpg fuel economy on
the combined cycle.
“Joining together two
winning formulas – the convertible roof of the Fiat 500
and the style and performance of the Abarth 500 – will
make the new Abarth 500C an irresistible proposition for
many new customers,” says Ivan Gibson, head of Abarth in
the UK. “And the new Abarth Punto Evo also takes forward
a winning combination of its own – new technology and
engineering coupled with great looks and versatility. We
are very much looking forward to presenting these new
cars to customers through our 19-strong UK dealer
network.”
