With the launch of the Abarth Punto Evo drawing near we compare the upcoming hot hatchback to its nearest rival, the Polo GT TSI. The Abarth Punto Evo will become the second of three models from the Abarth performance brand to head to India. The brand has already launched its halo model, the Abarth 595 Competizione, and the Fiat Avventura powered by Abarth is set to follow the Abarth Punto Evo. On the other hand, the Polo GT TSI has been on sale for some time now in India and has until now been the closest thing to a hot hatchback in the segment.

We take a look at how the two cars match up to each other on paper.

Engine

It is clearly evident that the Abarth Punto Evo is in a league of its own. Its 1,368cc four-cylinder T-Jet motor pumping out 145bhp and 21.57kgm of torque dwarfs the 1,197cc four-cylinder TSI motor which produces 103.26bhp and 17.84kgm of torque seen on the Polo GT TSI . Both cars have a front-wheel drive layout, with the Abarth routing power to the front wheels through a five-speed manual gearbox. The Polo GT TSI on the other hand uses a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox.

Stopping power for the Abarth Punto Evo is provided by disc brakes all round, while the Polo GT TSI makes do with disc brakes at the front and drum brakes at the back. Both cars come equipped with ABS as standard.

Out of the two, only the Polo GT is offered with a diesel engine.