Here’s a peek at the Abarth 500 and Abarth Grande Punto models presented at the Abarth Race Day, which was held earlier this month. Other special and historic models which were also present included the 595 and 695 Essesse, 850 and 1000 TC, 124 Abarth Sport Spider, Ritmo Abarth and Autobianchi A112 Abarth.

Participants had the opportunity to see the finals of the Abarth Selenia trophy, with its Abarth 500 Assetto Corse models, and take a couple of turns around the track, meeting official drivers like European champion Giandomenico Basso, Luca Rossetti and Umberto Scandola. Check out the Abarth tuned models in the gallery.

Source | Autoblog.it

Continue reading: Abarth Race Day pics: Assetto Corse on the track

After the launch of the new Fiat Punto Evo, the Abarth Grande Punto also gets an update. Housed in a new look Abarth Punto will be the 1.4-litre Turbo MultiAir engine with 170 hp, soon to debut on the Alfa MiTo Quadrifoglio Verde (or Alfa MiTo clover leaf).

This would suggest that the future version of the Abarth Punto Evo EsseEsse could reach 200 hp, but it also indicates that we may soon see an Abarth with dual-clutch technology. The new Alfa MiTo will feature the new c635 six-speed transmision, built in Italy and having also dry dual-clutch technology. It will appear on the MiTo, future Alfa Milano and probably many other vehicles of the Fiat group. So fingers crossed that we will see an Abarth Grande Punto Evo with this technology - it would be car to test drive!

Source | Autoblog.it

Continue reading: New Abarth Punto and Fiat dual-clutch technology

The Fiat Punto Evo made its appearance at the Frankfurt Motor Show and has now been officially presented with new pics and details. We’re still waiting on the full press release, but below are the details from Frankfurt.

The Punto Evo should be an exciting model for Fiat, building on the success of the Grande Punto, with new technological innovations and an impressive engine range. The next generation 1.3 Multijet is available, as is the new 1.4 Multiair, both Euro 5 compliant. Twin-fuel LPG and methane versions are also available.

Start&Stop technology is included, and the Punto Evo will be fully kitted out with seven airbags, Blue&Me entertainment system and “hill holder” hill start function among others. It will be available on the Italian market from mid-October and could prove to be an economic alternative to the Alfa MiTo for those less style conscious. More details and pics after the jump.

Continue reading: New pics Fiat Punto Evo debuts

The Fiat Grande Punto becomes Punto Evo and we should also see an Abarth Punto Evo version in the future. This rendering shows it with a Fiat 500 look to the front of the car and new air intakes. The rear probably needs a little revision, with the plastic inserts a bit out of place, but overall this take on the Abarth Punto Evo from Infomotori is not bad at all, and could be quite similar to the final version.

The interior should also get a reworking from the Centro Stile Fiat, or Fiat Style Centre, to adopt an aggressive sports look so typical of Abarth style. The engine to be used will be the new Multiair unit with a turbocharged 170 hp, while the SS version will take that figure to 200. The Abarth Punto Evo will be presented sometime in 2010.

Source | Infomotori

Continue reading: Abarth Punto Evo rendering

Fiat has released these new pics of the Punto Evo before its debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show. The new version of the Grande Punto hatch has a few updates, including a revamped interior and the new Multiair engine also featured on the Alfa MiTo.

With new Euro 5 laws being released today (more on that later) the Multiair joins a range of engines that comply with the new norms, including methane and LPG fuel, and a 1.3-litre Multijet with 95 hp. All the Euro 5 versions will have Start&Stop technology. We’ll have some live pics from the Frankfurt Motor Show, and below you can read all the details in the press release.

Continue reading: Fiat Punto Evo preview pics

Fiat has a boom sales success in India, selling 2,690 cars in the month of July, up from 412 sold in July 2008. The Fiat India sales in July can be added to those of the first six months of this year, at a total of 7,544 units. That’s a huge increase on the 1,813 Fiats sold in the same period last year.

It seems that the Fiat-Tata collaboration is already paying off, with the inception of Fiat Automobiles India Ltd. The company has broadened its dealership network and introduced the 1.3 Multijet engine on the Palio Stile model. It seems Fiat has also been able to conquer the hearts of the Indian press with the Linea model.

The Fiat 500 is a success but only in a niche market, with customers who can afford the import duties, but the Grande Punto, which has been manufactured in India since June, is affecting these July sales figures, showing promise for the future.

Source | Italiaspeed via Autoblog.it

Continue reading: Fiat sales success in India

While the front spoiler is covered by camouflage, the Fiat Grande Punto restyling is here. The Grande Punto now has new air intakes and features below the bonnet. These spy shots come from Auto Evolution, showing the changes to Fiat’s B segment car halfway through its career.

Given the Grande Punto’s success, especially in its home market, the modifications are minimal so as not to upset the winning formula. The front now looks slightly like the Fiat Bravo, head of the new “family feeling” Fiat style. The interior will also be changed slightly with new materials and instrumentation.

Source | Auto Evolution

Continue reading: Fiat Grande Punto restyling spy shots

The Fiat-Chrysler deal has now got the support of the US Supreme Court in a move that will help the US auto-maker out of bankruptcy. Three small pension funds holding a minimal stake in Chrysler had applied to block the deal.

The deal now looks sealed and should bode well for both Chrysler and Fiat, with the latter looking to get its models in the US market on the back of its new American partner. The Fiat models set to go to the US include the Fiat 500, the Alfa MiTo and the Alfa Milano among others.

In the photo is the Fiat Grande Punto, also tipped to appear on US shores. The move is not simply a question of Fiat managing to export its models, but should involve the development of new engines and transmissions on American soil with Fiat having access to Chrysler facilities.

Source | LeftLane News

Continue reading: Chrysler-Fiat go-ahead: US Supreme court backs deal

The Alfa Romeo and Fiat models that will appear in the US after the Fiat-Chrysler deal have been revealed in an announcement from Robert Manzo, Executive Director of Capstone Advisory Group. The Fiat and Alfa models in the US will be the Fiat 500, the Panda, the Grande Punto, and the Alfa Romeo MiTo and Alfa Milano. These will be the first to be assembled in Chrysler facilities in the US.

The MiTo, Milano and Fiat 500 were already considered ideal for the American market, while the decision to export the Grande Punto and Panda is more surprising. These will be dressed in the Jeep brand and available only in 4×4 versions. Tom LaSorda, outgoing co-president of Chrysler has added that a future Chrysler will be based on the Fiat C-Evo platform.

In further news, the documents proposing the Fiat-Chrysler collaboration include future possible engines and transmissions to be built in America, with the debut models being the four cylinder 1.4 litre T-Jet and the new 3.0 litre V6 diesel. The adoption of the new twin clutch sequential DDC shift is also planned, substituting the Getrag automatic shift currently in use on nearly all the Chrysler models.

Source | Autoblog.com

Continue reading: Fiat-Chrysler agreement reveals US Fiat and Alfa Romeo models

The Abarth stand at the Geneva show not only had some lovely ladies on display, but also a couple of cars worth looking at too. On display was the new Grande Punto Supersport hatchback with 180hp, and the totally souped-up 500 essesse with Sebalt seats.

Continue reading: Abarth at the Geneva show: Grande Punto Supersport and 500 essesse

The guys at AutoWeek have released these new spy shots of the Fiat Grande Punto restyling. It appears that it will change only slightly from its current look, remaining faithful to the original design.

The front of the car will mostly undergo the changes foreseen for the exterior, while the interior will also see some touch-ups, but at this stage all we clean from the ugly covering protecting the dash from spying eyes is that the modifications could be quite significant.

Continue reading: Fiat Grande Punto: restyling spy shots

Abarth has its own independent stand at the Bologna show, in addition to the Fiat offering including Alfa, Ferrari, Maserati, Lancia and Iveco. The first model available to the public is the Grande Punto esseesse - a kind of angry guard dog.

The red colour is in significant array, reflecting the spirit of the company, and the modern cars on display are contrasted with the vintage photos around the walls. Have a look at the gallery to see Abarth in all its glory.

Continue reading: Bologna motor show: Abarth stand