Abarth Grande Punto Hatchback (08-10) - Review Review by Simon Harris on 23 November 2007 Last Updated: 27 October 2009 It's a long time since Fiat has been in a position to claim class honours in the hot hatch sector. The 130bhp Punto HGT, discontinued in 2006, struggled both on paper and on the road at a time when the class leaders were offering up to 180bhp. All this has changed, and Fiat has dusted off a famous and illustrious brand to lead its charge into enemy territory. Abarth was last seen as a badge-engineered 'warm' version of the unpopular Stilo, and fans of the iconic marque with decades of racing and tuning heritage would be justified in feeling nervous. But Fiat has bestowed Abarth status as a brand in its own right, alongside Alfa Romeo, Lancia and Maserati in its automotive stable. The 155bhp hatchback (180bhp with factory-approved dealer modifications) is impressive on the road and is good value, plus it should remain exclusive as a result of the small network of specialist dealers. 4.5 out of 5 Other Abarth reviews Summary Facts & Figures Equipment Driving & Performance Comfort Costs Safety & Reliability Buying & Selling Also Consider Company Car Info Owners' Reviews Gallery 4.5 out of 5 Performance The Abarth Grande Punto kicks off with a 155bhp version of the same 1.4-litre T-jet engine that's in the top Fiat Grande Punto. It will sprint from 0-62mph in 8.2 seconds and on to a top speed of 129mph, and certainly feels lively. A a 'sport boost' button sharpens the throttle response and increases the pulling power available. But it is possible to achieve higher performance by choosing the factory-approved 'esseesse' or 'super sport' pack. This increases power to 180bhp and as a result it's half a second faster on the sprint from 0-62mph - the extra performance comes with a raucous exhaust note that is almost worth the extra money alone. The standard six-speed gearbox shifts smoothly and cleanly. View full gallery 4.5 out of 5 Handling Differences between the Fiat Grande Punto and the Abarth version run deeper than just a more powerful engine. The brakes have been upgraded while the ride height is 10mm lower and it has a slightly wider stance. This makes the Abarth feel sharper on the road without compromising ride comfort significantly. It's certainly more composed than the standard Grande Punto on challenging roads and although the power steering has electric assistance rather than hydraulic, it still offers plenty of feel. Customers choosing the 'esseesse' upgrade get a more driver-focused Grande Punto, with suspension lowered by a further 20mm, 18-inch alloy wheels and heavier-duty brakes. It feels even more alert and responsive, but ride comfort is compromised on anything but the smoothest road surface. View full gallery Car Valuations Find used car prices with Parkers accurate car valuations. Find out more Abarth Grande Punto cars for sale We have 3 models like this for sale. Find Abarth Grande Punto cars for sale Previous: Equipment Next: Comfort