As expected, the new Punto Evo will be the first Abarth to receive Fiat Powertrain’s new 1.4-litre MultiAir engine. MultiAir uses a new electro-hydraulic valve control system to directly control the flow of air via the engine’s intake valves without using the throttle. This technique leads to a finer degree of control than is possible using conventional mechanical cam-operated valves – indeed, the system can even close and re-open the intake valve several times during the same intake cycle – and it’s this control that leads to greater combustion efficiency, and therefore improved economy, emissions and power.

MultiAir Technology: how it works

MultiAir valve assembly

A piston, acted upon by the intake lobe on the camshaft, is contained within an oil-filled chamber. Hydraulic pressure created in this chamber is relayed to hydraulic actuators mounted above the intake valves, via a solenoid control valve.

When the valve is closed, the oil in the hydraulic chamber behaves like a solid and transmits the movement of the intake cam directly to the intake valves.

When the valve is open, the hydraulic chamber and intake valves are decoupled; the intake valves do not follow the intake cam, and the valves close under pressure from the valve springs.

By controlling the operation and timing of the solenoid valve, a wider range of intake valve schedules can be created.

For instance, to achieve maximum power, the solenoid valve is closed and intake valve opening is regulated entirely by the camshaft lobes, which have been designed specifically to maximise power at high engine speeds.

To achieve low-rpm torque, the solenoid valve is opened towards the end of the cam profile, leading to early intake valve closing. This eliminates unwanted backflow into the manifold and maximises the air mass trapped in the cylinders.

During engine part load, the solenoid valve is opened earlier causing partial valve openings to control the trapped air mass as a function of the required torque. Alternatively the intake valves can be partially opened by closing the solenoid valve once the mechanical cam action has already started. In this case the air stream into the cylinder is faster and results in higher in-cylinder turbulence.

The last two actuation modes can be combined in the same intake stroke, generating a so-called “Multi-lift” mode that enhances turbulence and combustion rate at very low loads.

MultiAir intake valve actuation modes

In addition to MultiAir, the Abarth Punto Evo uses the Garrett GT1446 turbocharger that previously saw service only on the Abarth Grande Punto esseesse and Assetto Corse race car, and peak power is now quoted as 165 hp at 5,500 rpm, with peak torque of 250 Nm (184 lb/ft) at 2,250 rpm.

Curiously, the MultiAir-equipped Alfa MiTo is quoted at 170 hp. We’re not sure why Abarth appear to be holding back on the final 5 hp.

Despite missing a few horses, the Evo is faster, with 62 mph arriving in 7.9 seconds vs. 8.2 for the current model, before maxing out at 132 mph (a 3 mph increase).

CO2 emissions have been reduced, with the Evo now producing 142 g/km – enough to drop into Band F and a £125 annual bill for road tax.

Fuel economy sees a substantial improvement, too, with preliminary figures for the new Evo reporting 47.1 mpg on the combined cycle, versus 42.2 mpg for the Grande Punto. Urban and extra-urban figures continue the upward trend, with 34.8 mpg vs. 30.1 mpg and 58.8 mpg vs. 54.3 mpg respectively.

As standard, the Abarth Evo features 20% stiffer springs and a larger anti-roll bar than its Fiat brother, and makes use of the same Brembo dual-piston calipers as the Abarth Grande Punto.

A new ‘SS’ kit will be available, although this only adds a rather disappointing 15 hp bringing the total to 180 hp. The kit is supplied in a wooden crate to be installed by the dealer, just as before. The bulk of the kit’s contents are made up of lower springs, drilled and vented brake discs, high-performance brake pads, a BMC air filter, and four wheels and tyres in a choice of white or titanium.

Start&Stop appears on the Punto for the first time, and the company claims the system can improve economy and emissions by up to 10% in some situations. The system works by turning off the engine when the car stops at idle, automatically re-starting when you take your foot off the brake pedal or engage first gear. If you accidentally stall the engine while pulling away, the system will re-start it for you if you depress the clutch pedal. Those that prefer to have full control over what their engine is up to can disable the system with a dash-mounted button.

TTC (Torque Transfer Control), which uses the braking system to rein-in a spinning inside wheel, is now standard, and is activated when Sport mode is engaged – now billed as a ‘mode’ selector, and relocated down by the gear lever.

Abarth Punto Evo interior

GSI (Gear Shift Indicator) has also made the jump from the 500 to the Punto, and is ready to nag you into obscenely early gear changes ostensibly to improve economy. The gearbox itself is the same M32 six-speed unit from the outgoing car – no word yet on the new C635 dual-clutch transmission.

Inside, materials are said to have been upgraded, with Jaeger-designed instruments, red stitching on the new two-level leather dash and part-leather seats. The Sabelt seats will still be available as an option.

For the safety conscious, there are now seven airbags, including a new driver’s knee air bag.

It’s the outside that’s likely to divide opinion, however. While we’d been led to believe the Abarth version would receive its own unique front-end treatment, it appears that the changes from the Fiat Punto Evo are more minor.

The front bumper is slightly wider, with new side vents ahead of the front wheels, and a larger central grille to match. The chrome ‘wings’ on the bonnet’s leading edge have been replaced with black vents and, at the rear, there are more side vents and a larger diffuser that incorporates the reversing and fog lights. The rear spoiler is now larger and body-coloured, rather than black, as are the side skirts and wheel-arch extensions. The front-mounted Abarth badge is now the more traditional shield shape, as on the 500.

Of course, the most obvious new feature is the large, black bar that runs across the nose of the car, and it’s this that draws the most opinion. Whether you feel this makes the car look like it’s crashed into an Armco barrier, or adds a welcome extra element to the design, will be largely down to personal opinion, but it’s probably fair to say it’s not universally loved.

Pricing has yet to be confirmed, but given the £15,295 price tag of the 135 bhp Fiat Punto Evo Sporting, we’d expect the new Abarth Punto Evo to figure in around the £17,000 mark.

Update: The UK price has been announced as £16,500.

• New MultiAir engine should add improved drivability, slightly faster to 62mph
• Reduced emissions, lower road tax and improved fuel economy
• Start&Stop, TTC now standard
• Upgraded interior

• Engine appears to be in weaker state of tune than other Fiat Group products
• SS kit a disappointing upgrade
• Divisive looks
• Price up-lift

Abarth 500 Launch

Of course 2009 was dominated by the launch of the Abarth 500. After a long and painful wait, prices were announced in late January and the official launch held over the weekend of 7th-8th February. While a number of ‘launch edition’ cars were made available (Bossa Nova White, red stripes, red leather, 17-inch 10-spoke alloy wheels, etc), there was still an anxious time ahead for those preferring to spec their own cars.

Abarth Grande Punto “SuperSport”

Abarth Grande Punto 'SuperSport'

Late February saw the reveal of the Abarth Grande Punto “SuperSport”. Powered by the familiar 1.4-litre turbocharged engine but with the esseesse kit fitted from the factory, the SuperSport showcased the new Sabelt racing seats, variable back-pressure exhaust system, and Blue&Me Map satellite navigation with telemetry for the first time. After a mysteriously long gestation period, the car finally went on sale elsewhere in Europe in September – we’re still waiting for news on whether the car will ever make an appearance on our shores.

Abarth Corse by Sabelt Seats

Having made their debut on the SuperSport, the “Abarth Corse by Sabelt” seats were launched as an accessory in May for both Abarth 500 and Grande Punto, although it took a while for the somewhat alarming prices (£2,250 for leather, £1,760 for fabric) to finally show themselves.

Abarth Grande Punto Revisions

August saw a number of small revisions to the Abarth Grande Punto – the front centre armrest and tyre pressure monitoring system became available, while the previously standard Interscope hi-fi upgrade became an option. Emissions were reduced (from 162 to 159 g/km), while prices rose to £13,800, with many options also seeing increases.

Xenon Headlights for Abarth 500, Blue&Me Update

Record Monza Abarth 500 Exhaust

Xenon headlights appeared as a £500 option on the Abarth 500 at the same time, and a Blue&Me software update was released, together with a new adaptor, to improve iPod and iPhone compatibility.

Record Monza Abarth 500 Exhaust

The variable back-pressure exhaust system first shown on the SuperSport was finally released in September for the Abarth 500, now dubbed the “Record Monza” system and priced at £873.85. We’re still waiting for the elusive Punto version to arrive.

As a special Christmas bonus, we’ve negotiated a reduced price of £799.99 for Abarthisti members until the end of the year. Orders can be placed through the Abarthisti Shop.

Abarth 695 “Tributo Ferrari”

Abarth 695 'Tributo Ferrari'

September also saw the arrival of the Abarth 695 “Tributo Ferrari”. Based on a standard Abarth 500 but featuring many of the engine improvements used in the Assetto Corse race cars, the 695 pumps out over 180 bhp through a new MTA (automated manual) transmission. Externally, the car is finished in Scuderia Red with carbon fibre door mirrors, unique 17-inch alloy wheels and four-piston Brembo brakes. Inside, there are Sabelt racing seats, Jaeger instruments, non-slip aluminium foot wells, carbon fibre dash board, unique pedals and steering wheel, and a special identification plaque. While prices haven’t been announced, it is expected to be coming to the UK by special order during late 2010, with some dealers accepting deposits now.

Abarth 500 R3T Rally Car

Completing the announcements for a busy September was news of the Abarth 500 R3T rally car. Featuring a sequential six-speed gearbox, a self-locking differential, special half-shafts, and 180 bhp from its 1.4-litre turbocharged engine, the car will compete in the R3T group of a new promotional rally trophy launching in 2010.

Abarthisti Events

Abarth Hillclimb Challenge

It’s been a busy year for the Abarthisti, too. Our February event at the Gaydon Heritage Motor Centre was the one and only time the AGPs outnumbered the 500s. The Auto Italia events at Brooklands (May), Stanford Hall (June) and Gaydon (September) were all well attended and demonstrated our strong link with Abarth UK with combined display areas.

Our member-organised Driving Days made it out into Wales, Scotland, the Yorkshire Dales and anywhere else where there’s an abundance of curves and a sparsity of traffic.

The Abarth Hillclimb Challenge, which saw the Abarth Grande Punto compete in six events across the country from April to September, proved popular with many, and even managed to claim a class win at Goodwood with Autocar Magazine’s Matt Rigby at the wheel.

The Abarth 500 Trophy Europe nipped across the water to Brands Hatch in July, and we were ready with fistfuls of free tickets, reserved parking, paddock access and, for lucky forum member JKDesign80, a ride around the Brands Hatch circuit in an Assetto Corse driven by ex-BTCC driver and double 500 Trophy race-winner Adam Jones.

The launch of the British version of the series, the Trofeo Abarth 500 GB, took place at Silverstone in October, and we were exclusively invited not just to witness the unveiling of the championship and enjoy a little Italian hospitality, but also the chance to hit the track in our own cars. Tyres were tortured, and brakes were punished, but everything stood up well.

And next year?

Trofeo Abarth 500 GB

Abarthisti supports the Trofeo Abarth 500 GB

We’re most looking forward to following the Abarthisti-sponsored Assetto Corse’s progress in the Trofeo Abarth 500 GB throughout 2010, and we anticipate that our involvement will lead to unprecedented access to the Trofeo series for all Abarthisti members, including ticket give-aways, pit-lane access, the chance to meet drivers and engineers, and more.

Duxford 31/1/2010

Our Duxford event on 31st January kicks off the calendar for the year, and we have several irons in the fire for interesting events during the rest of 2010, including track days, motorsport events, and social get-togethers.

2010 Abarth 500C

It’ll be a busy year for Abarth, too, with the launch of the convertible Abarth 500C currently pencilled-in for June 2010. The rag-top version will closely match the specification of the standard Abarth 500, but with the addition of Xenon headlights, rear parking sensors, and Start&Stop as standard.

Pricing hasn’t been confirmed, but using the Fiat 500C as a guide suggests a starting price around £17,000.

2010 Abarth Grande Punto face-lift

The new and nervously-awaited Abarth Grande Punto will show its face in July 2010. Rumours suggest its design will move further away from the Fiat Punto Evo on which it’s based. Power will come from the new 1.4-litre 170 bhp MultiAir engine with Start&Stop technology and, while it won’t be available from launch, it will be the first car to offer the new C635 MTA automated six-speed manual transmission as an option. Assetto handling kits will be available from launch, but the esseesse kit will follow later.

There’s no official word on pricing yet. However, the 135 bhp Fiat Punto Evo Sporting will be priced at £15,295 when it arrives in January; clearly the 170 bhp Abarth version will be higher still.

The last piece of news is that the Abarth hillclimb challenge, using the Abarth Grande Punto, will likely make a repeat appearance for 2010, with an anticipated eight events across the country.

Phew!

All that remains now is to thank you for supporting us through 2009, to wish you and your family the very best for the festive period, and to hope the New Year brings you good health, good luck, a full tank of Super Unleaded and a fresh set of tyres.