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The Scorpion
announces the update of the Abarth Punto to match the
new Punto Evo specification and body style with the car
reworked in many areas and with the turbocharged engine
now fitted with MultiAir and giving out 165 bhp as
standard.
The new 165 bhp
Multiair 1.4 turbo petrol engine is the result of a winning
partnership between Fiat Powertrain Technology and Abarth
race-derived know-how. Since the Fiat Powertrain engine was
first presented at last year’s Geneva motor show, Abarth
engineers have been working hard to squeeze every last drop
of power out of it and to improve its sporting performance
in typical Abarth style.
Multiair engine
technology has revolutionised the world of petrol engines.
Compared to a conventional petrol engine of equivalent size,
a MultiAir engine develops more power (up to 10%) and more
torque (up to 15%), while consuming significantly less (up
to 10%) and emitting less CO2 (up to 10%), fewer
particulates (up to 40%) and less NOx (up to 60%).
The genius of
the Multiair engine is embodied in its electro-hydraulic
valve control system. Both fuel consumption and pollutant
emissions have been slashed by using the engine’s intake
valves to control the air flow directly, without a butterfly
valve in the intake. Using this already advanced technology
as a starting point, Abarth’s development department has
made a series of modifications to arrive at the innovative
new 165 HP Multiair 1.4 16 V. Power output, for example, has
been optimised by the intelligent application of a new,
larger turbocharger from Garrett. The result is superb
performance with peak torque of 250 Nm (25.5 kgm) at 2250
rpm, and acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in only 7.9
seconds.
The sporty new
Abarth Punto Evo also features a new performance mode
selection system that modulates engine, braking and steering
action to offer a choice of two different driving styles -
Sport and Normal – to suit road conditions and driver
preference.
The mode
selector is conveniently located on the central tunnel in
front of the gear lever and lets you switch between the two
modes quickly and easily, simply by moving a lever. The
currently selected mode is displayed on the dashboard. If
you are looking for a safe, relaxing drive, all you have to
do is select Normal mode, while if you feel the need to
enjoy the full performance of your Abarth Punto Evo, flip
the switch to Sport position and thrill to the power! Sport
mode makes the car more responsive, using electrical servo
systems to modify handling and deliver the ultimate sporting
feel. Due attention has also been paid to safety of course,
so Sport mode also engages the TTC system automatically.
As in rally
cars, the driver is assisted by GSI (Gear Shift Indicator).
On the Abarth Punto Evo, GSI acts like an intelligent
“co-driver” and provides a signal on the instrument panel to
tell you when the right moment has arrived to shift up
reducing fuel consumption.
The Abarth Punto
Evo’s 1.4 Multiair petrol engine also features Fiat’s
innovative Start&Stop system. This switches the engine off
automatically when the vehicle comes to a halt and the
engine is left to idle, and restarts it again as soon as you
are ready to move off. The system finds its ideal
application in situations like city traffic and sequences of
traffic lights. Whenever the control logic permits,
Start&Stop automatically switches off the engine, saving up
to 10% of fuel consumption and emissions in the urban cycle
and up to 3.5% in the NEDC test cycle.
As soon as you
take your foot off the brake or engage first gear, the
system immediately restarts the engine to give you instant
power and responsiveness. On top of this, if you
accidentally stall the engine while moving off, all you have
to do is press down on the clutch to re-start it
automatically. Start&Stop
offers additional benefits in terms of comfort since it
eliminates noise and vibrations from the passenger
compartment while the car is stationary. The system is
full interactive, and tells you whether the function is
engaged or not via clear indications on the instrument
panel. Start&Stop can be disengaged quickly and easily by a
switch on the dashboard near the steering column.
The innovative
Multiair engine guarantees sports performance plus low
emissions and reduced fuel consumption. Tests carried out by
Abarth engineers have demonstrated that fuel consumption has
been reduced despite the fact that power output has been
increased. In particular, consumption is only 8.1 l/100 km
in the urban cycle; only 6.0 l/100 km in the combined cycle,
and 4.8 l/100 km in the extra-urban cycle. The Multiair
engine is also impressively clean and already conforms to
Euro 5 standards thanks to emissions of only 142g/km.
The EVOlution of active and
passive safety
The Abarth
philosophy combines both performance and safety. The Abarth
Punto Evo is therefore equipped with a series of highly
effective systems to guarantee safe handling on all
surfaces.
TTC (Torque
Transfer Control) is the key to the car’s active safety. TTC
improves the transfer of torque from the engine to the
wheels and guarantees excellent handling on bends, making
fast driving safer and more fun than ever. TTC is a
differential locking system that uses the mechanical
differential as a reactive element in the transmission to
control torque via the braking system and ESP sensors (wheel
speed, steering angle, yaw, etc.). TTC is activated
automatically in Sport mode. When engaged, the system
automatically adjusts the degree of diff locking applied in
accordance with dynamic factors like speed. In the area of
safety, the Abarth Punto Evo sets new standards thanks to 7
airbags, including a driver knee airbag. The Punto Evo is
one of very few cars in its segment with a driver knee
airbag fitted as standard on all versions.
The Abarth Punto
Evo also boasts a powerful and effective braking system.
Disc brakes are fitted to all wheels, with ventilated discs
and Brembo double piston, fixed calipers at the front. The
suspension system is derived from a tried and tested Abarth
configuration. Front suspension is provided by independent
McPherson struts, while rear suspension is semi-independent
with a torsion bar. Abarth has also fitted a larger
anti-roll bar together with front springs that are 20%
harder than those of a standard suspension system. The
result is impeccable road holding plus a high level of
passenger comfort.
The EVOlution of
race-inspired aerodynamics
Also on a style
level, the changes that Abarth have made to the Punto Evo
concentrate on improving the car’s performance and
aerodynamics. Compared to the Fiat version of the car, the
front bumper has been extended in width to incorporate the
side flaps. The black intake cowl on the front has also been
made deeper to match the lateral air outlets. This corrects
and controls air flow and significantly improves aerodynamic
efficiency around the sides of the car, just as on the full
rally version. The rear of the Abarth features a completely
redesigned bumper incorporating side air outlets. The
diffuser, designed to optimise air flow, is a major feature
of the bumper. The diffuser is the same as on the previous
version, but has been given a new surround to enhance its
looks and align its styling with the front splitter.
The exhaust
features larger diameter twin tail pipes, an obvious tribute
to Abarth’s glorious history. The new pipes, however have
been given a different satin finish. The reversing lights
and rear fog lights have been moved to the centre of the
diffuser, forming a focal point as on formula racing cars,
while new side reflectors outline and accentuate the profile
of the aerodynamic deflector, simulating the effect created
by the LED light cowl on the rear window.
The spoiler has
been completely redesigned, not only in terms of colour (it
is now the same colour as the rest of the body, giving the
car a longer, more dynamic look), but in terms of size too.
Its longer, tapered shape has improved the car’s CX and CZ
values and made the new Abarth Punto EVO more stable than
its predecessor. The logo trim has also been redesigned and
combined with a new grille with a more sporty appearance. In
the same way the badge is no longer round as on the previous
version but has returned to the original shape, as used on
the 500.
The side flaps
and skirts are finished in the same colour as the body,
emphasising the car’s aggressive nature and its “stuck to
the road” handling. The side graphics have also been
restyled to match the front bumper and given new dimensions.
The result is more in proportion with the side of the car
and gives the body colour areas a sleeker appearance.
Another new feature is the completely redesigned 17’’ spoked
wheels, with the Abarth scorpion logo in the centre.
The car’s
interior has been completely updated too. The new materials
have an appearance and finish inspired by the surface of
motor racing circuits, bringing all the excitement of the
track into the car. The new central control console is
divided into two sections. The audio section is
characterised by a black surface and a central LCD display.
Underneath, a separate section houses the air conditioning
controls. The top of the console houses the air vents and a
storage compartment. The purpose-designed Jaeger
instrumentation features larger dials for the speedometer
and rev counter, new race-inspired graphics, and a new
anti-glare cowling covered in leather with open red and
yellow stitching.
The visual link
with the new textured seats is obvious. The seats and seat
backs are upholstered in soft black leather while the seat
sides are finished in high-tech fabric to give the ideal
balance between comfort, breathability and wear resistance.
Customers can still choose the optional “Abarth Corse” seats
by Sabelt. These seats offer a perfect blend of racing
characteristics including light weight and the ability hold
the body steady against lateral and longitudinal forces.
The EVOlution of power –
the “SS” kit
As was to be
expected from Abarth, a high performance kit will be made
available to coincide with the launch of the Abarth Punto
Evo to boost engine power even further. In keeping with
Abarth tradition, the tuning kit will give the new car more
power than the basic model, enabling the Multiair 1.4 16v
Turbo engine to develop a maximum power of 180 HP. Following
Abarth’s performance tuning philosophy, the “SS” kit also
includes modifications to chassis components, including
perforated, ventilated discs, high performance brake pads,
lower springs, and 18” Abarth “SS” alloy wheels painted in
white or titanium, and fitted with performance tyres. The
performance delivered by the Abarth Punto Evo “SS” kit is
further enhanced by a special “powered by BMC” air filter.
As for the Grande Punto and the 500, the Abarth Punto Evo’s
“SS” kit comes in a classic wooden performance case. To
guarantee the highest standards of quality and safety, the
kit can only be installed by Abarth’s official performance
tuning network.
Abarth Punto Evo - Technical
Specifications
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