Abarth, FIAT's performance division, has added two new choices for right-hand drive markets: The Abarth Punto Evo "esseesse" and the Abarth 500C manual.
The Punto Evo's ‘esseesse' kit includes a larger Garrett GT1446 turbo-charger and a revised ECU that increases the 1.4-litre engine's output to 180bhp and 270Nm and cuts its 0-100km/h time to just 7.5 seconds. Top speed increases to 216km/h but its CO2 emissions of just 142g/km means it remains firmly in VRT Band C.
Further modifications include cross-drilled brakes discs, Brembo brake callipers, up-rated springs, Koni FSD dampers, a sports air filter and a sports exhaust. The ‘esseesse' kit costs around €3,500, including installation, and once it is supplied and fitted by an authorised Abarth dealership it is covered by the car's warranty (provided it is fitted within one year and 20,000km of the car's first registration).
Meanwhile the Abarth 500C convertible is now available with a manual gearbox in lieu of the ‘Competizione' paddle-shift transmission and costs around €1,250 less (including Irish VAT and VRT charges). The 0-100km/h sprint is dispatched in just 7.9 seconds and its top speed is 206km/h but its emissions remain in VRT Band C at 155g/km, which means it remains as affordable to run as it is to buy. The manual 500C is also compatible with the same 160hp ‘esseesse' kit as the hardtop.