Scorpion returns with a sting; Mike Torpey drives the Fiat Grande Punto Abarth

Evening Chronicle (Newcastle, England), August 8, 2008

IT'S one of the most iconic symbols in automotive history - and it's back with a venomous sting in the tail.

The sign of the scorpion, synonymous with performance and style, has been relaunched by Fiat in the shape of the Grande Punto Abar th.

The marque, founded in 1949 by Austrian Carlo Abarth, took the motorsport world by storm in the 1960s with a roll of honour that boasted 10 world records, 133 international records and more than 10,000 track victories.

Now owned by the Turin car giant, the Abarth philosophy of 'small but wicked' has been rekindled in a package that looks sure to bring back the glory days.

The pounds 13,500 Grande Punto Abarth is the starting point, as a Fiat 500 version is due for UK launch early next year.

For now though it's the Punto, which features just one engine option, a 1.4-litre T-Jet turbo petrol unit delivering a spirited 155bhp.

Combined with a six-speed manual transmission, this powerplant makes for acceleration of 0-62 in 8.2 seconds and a top speed of 129mph - equal to a conventionally aspirated 2.0-litre unit but with appreciably better fuel consumption (average 40.9mpg) and lower emissions.

Compared with the standard Grande Punto, the Abarth's track has been widened by 6 mm, it comes with 17-inch alloy wheels, a redesigned front bumper with larger air intakes and there are also side skirts, black plastic underbody and trademark badge in the centre of the front grille, rear hatch, and flanks.

And inside the sign of the scorpion is never far away either while the big Recaro seats, red cross-stitching and carbon effect centre console add a racy feel.

Fiat certainly means business with this re-launch and it is most definitely not a case of style over substance.

The Abarth is a peach of a car to drive - lively, responsive and predictable, while a prod on the dash-mounted Sport Boost button improves the amount of torque and livens the steering wheel response.

I tried the Fiat on a varied route through the Yorkshire dales, also taking in a substantial stretch of motorway before arriving at the famous Harewood Hill climb circuit. This is where rally-hardened instructors provided an insight into the car's true capability.

It's a model that deserves to sell well, and to that end Fiat is in the throes of expanding its dedicated Abarth dealer network to between 15 and 20 in the coming months.

And for those who crave an even more competitive edge, there's a pair of tuning kits available. The first, known as Assetto, is designed to enhance the chassis of the car, including the brakes and suspension.

It includes cross-drilled brake discs, high performance front brake pads, shorter springs and 18-inch white painted alloy wheels.

The second option - known as the esseesse (SS) kit - primarily increases the power of the engine.

The downside may be a pounds 3,500 tab, but the difference is considerable and the whole package feels carefully engineered rather than just added on.

Carlo Abarth, who died in 1979 under the sign of Scorpio, was a man of extreme dedication - his legacy is in good hands.

CAPTION(S):

CAPABLE - The Fiat Punto Abarth is a model that deserves to sell well through an expanded network; FLASH DASH - The Sport Boost button improves torque