et tu Brutus??

[FanaloneMan]

http://www.channel4.com/4car/news/news-story.jsp?news_id=16198&ref=archive

comments anyone??

[Scarpia]

Lets hope so.I read about the 150(180) abarth versions a while ago but this is new.We already have a 3 year old stilo abarth and its due for a swap in the next year .....I don't dare to dream..will they make it? Of course it will be even better if they do the HPE brutale/integrale....

[fay66]

According to Autocar 19th September, the 180 bhp uplift will be a Dealer fit, it will be available with masses of tuning gear, such as custom exhaust - to helmet holders behind front seats! that means you probably won't be able to fit the mother-in-law or the kids in the back

According to autocar it will be named Abarth Punto Esseesse !

Brian 8227

[YKR 567J]

I was lucky enough to try the Abarth Grande Punto yesterday at Balocco, both in standard 150bhp and Essessse (it's true) 180bhp forms. The latter also has further-lowered suspension and a touch of front negative camber etc etc and is a total riot to drive. I hope the exhaust, with all its pop-bang gearshift sound effects, makes it past the noise police and into the dealer-fit Esseesse kits.

There's also talk of bringing in right-hand-drive versions of the current Musa into the UK when the Delta HPE is launched, so the dealers have more than one model line to sell. The Musa isn't long for this world because a new one is under development, but the current one is the best-selling compact MPV in Italy and, being based on the Fiat Idea which Fiat withdrew from the UK, lends itself to an easy RHD conversion. Apparently it now has a new design of headlining with very efficient sound-deadening, transforming the Idea/Musa breed from a resonating box into something very refined. Fulvia coupé-cabriolet is still in the plan, too. All very encouraging.

John Simister

[fay66]

Great News John


ps.
If you can make it to the Beds & herts Local meet 1st tuesday, let one of us know, as the location has changed and we can tell you how to get to the new venue.

Brian Hilton
8227

[Scarpia]

the following link has a film of the new Abarth for those that haven't seen it.Not yet in the full abarth livery but looks ok.

http://www.autovisie.nl/nieuws/nieuwsoverzicht/archief/2007/09/officieel_fiat_grande_pun/index.xml

[Scarpia]

and this is nice also showing testing of the Fiat 500 abarth. I don't believe its got the 200hp mentioned though.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3rAX0J1UOg

[fay66]

Great Exhaust note    and it certainly goes.

Brian
8227