Fiat launches Abarth brand in India

With the launch of the high-performance Abarth 595, Fiat has introduced its performance brand, Abarth, in India. The 595 is the halo car for the performance brand, with two other models slated to be positioned below it as mass-market offerings. The first of the two models to be launch is the Abarth Punto, and the second, the Fiat Avventura ‘Powered by Abarth’.

Founded in 1949 by Carlo Abarth, the Abarth brand was created to build cars as well as modify and improve existing road and race cars. The scorpion badge was derived from Abarth’s zodiac sign – Scorpio. The brand worked on several models for the road and race track before creating the original Abarth 500 way back in 1958 with a 26bhp 479cc engine. The Abarth 595 was born in 1963, by increasing the existing engine capacity of the Abarth 500 to 595cc.

In India, the Abarth 595 is the essentially a more beefed-up version of the Abarth 500. Though looking almost like the standard car save for a different body kit, the 595 has a completely different mechanical set-up. Under the hood is a 158bhp 1.4-litre turbo-petrol motor, developing up to 23.45kgm of torque as per the drive mode, mated to a five-speed AMT gearbox with paddle shifters. The suspension has been lowered and stiffened to add to the car’s racing feel.
Inside, there are race seats up front and an Abarth-badged flat-bottomed steering wheel. The instrument cluster is an all-digital affair while a boost gauge sits atop the dashboard in a separate pod with a shift indicator light incorporated at its centre.

The first of the more mass-market offerings from the brand is the Abarth Punto. Though at a first glance it can be mistaken for the standard Punto Evo 90HP, the car does get mechanical and styling modifications. The biggest change is the engine. The comparatively tame standard engines have been replaced by a 145bhp 1.4-litre T-Jet motor. The suspension has been lowered so that the car sits 20mm closer to the ground, and has also been stiffened. The stopping power has also been enhanced with disc brakes now at the rear as well.

On the styling front, the Fiat badge has been replaced by Abarth badge inside and out, while the wheels too are now ‘scorpion’ styled alloys. Other changes include colour-contrast inserts on the front grille, both bumpers and wing-mirror covers, along with Abarth decals on the outside and the use of sportier steel pedals on the inside, and red and yellow contrast stitching on the all- black interior. The Punto is expected to go on sale sometime around Diwali with prices likely to be under Rs 10 lakh.

The second of the models to be launched is the Fiat Avventura ‘Powered by Abarth’. The Avventura, unlike the Abarth Punto, isn’t a proper Abarth. In the styling department, the car is likely to remain untouched by the performance brand, while mechanically only the 145bhp 1.4-litre T-Jet unit is to be introduced under its hood. The Avventura would also become the first model ever to wear the ‘Powered by Abarth’ badge rather than the iconic scorpion badge itself.

Speaking at the launch of its halo model, Fiat India CEO, Kevin Flynn said that the introduction of the Abarth brand was much needed to spice up the company’s offering in India. He also said that with this performance brand, Fiat was now looking to achieve a four percent market share in the coming years.

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