03.07.2010 DOUBLE UK DEBUT FOR NEW SCORPION MODELS AT GOODWOOD

ABARTH 500C - GOODWOOD FESTIVAL OF SPEED 2010
ABARTH PUNTO EVO - GOODWOOD FESTIVAL OF SPEED 2010

Abarth has given a double UK debut this weekend to the new 500C (top) and Abarth Punto Evo (bottom) on the occasion of the Goodwood Festival of Speed, the two new Scorpion sports' models going on sale across the UK dealer network from today priced at £17,500 and £16,500 respectively.

Abarth has given a double UK debut this weekend to the new 500C and Abarth Punto Evo on the occasion of the Goodwood Festival of Speed, the two new Scorpion sports' models going on sale across the UK dealer network from today priced at £17,500 and £16,500 respectively. Both cars have been seen in action up the "Goodwood Hill".

Launched in the UK in July 2008, the Abarth brand has has continued to find new fans in the form of enthusiast drivers wishing to express themselves through their choice of car. And the two new Abarth models retain the previous models’ good looks and thrilling styling, while introducing exciting news ideas, power upgrades, and a host of useful equipment – much of it as standard.

In keeping with Abarth’s philosophy of ‘Making the Ordinary Extraordinary’, Abarth has taken a convertible car and made it its own in the shape of the new Abarth 500C while, at first glance, the new Abarth Punto Evo clearly has a more aggressive look with sporting credentials for all to see.

Abarth 500C

Priced at £17,500 OTR, the Abarth 500C represents good value when compared with its main rivals. As well as the Abarth Competizione MTA gearbox with steering wheel paddle shift, and the electric hood with glass rear window and third brake light incorporated into the spoiler, the car receives, as standard, a host of other equipment.

This includes seven airbags, xenon headlights, TTC (torque transfer control), parking sensors, Blue&Me hands-free telecommunications system, leather steering wheel and 16-inch alloy wheels. A full range of options includes automatic climate control, leather sports interior, bi-colour paint, red brake callipers and coloured Abarth side stripes and mirrors. Proof that the 500C is a true Abarth comes in the form of its 140bhp 1.4 16v Turbo T-Jet 140 engine, which provides the convertible with a top speed of 127mph and a 0-62mph time of 8.1 seconds. But the frugal unit returns 43mpg fuel economy on the combined cycle.

Abarth Punto Evo

The Abarth Punto Evo meanwhile costs £16,500 OTR and, like the Abarth 500C, features an impressive standard equipment list. This includes six airbags, TTC, Eco Gear Shift Indicator (EGSI), performance sport switch, Start&Stop, 17-inch alloy wheels with 5-claw spokes and Blue&Me. An ‘Interscope’ hi-fi system, automatic climate control, rain sensor, and tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS) are among the long list of options. The Abarth Punto Evo is powered by Fiat Powertrain Technologies’ new 165bhp 1.4 16v MultiAir engine which can accelerate the car from 0-62mph in just 7.9 seconds, and on to a top speed of 132mph, and yet returns more than 47mpg fuel economy on the combined cycle.

“Joining together two winning formulas – the convertible roof of the Fiat 500 and the style and performance of the Abarth 500 – will make the new Abarth 500C an irresistible proposition for many new customers,” says Ivan Gibson, head of Abarth in the UK. “And the new Abarth Punto Evo also takes forward a winning combination of its own – new technology and engineering coupled with great looks and versatility. We are very much looking forward to presenting these new cars to customers through our 19-strong UK dealer network.”
 

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