Abarth Grande Punto Esseesse 1.4 16V T-Jet 180 CV, road test (part III)

Uncontrolled power is a real danger when we talk about a low power-to-weight ratio. We are talking about 6.83 kg/CV, one of the factors that lets this car accelerate in so little time and reach a high top speed.

The most powerful standard version of the Fiat Grande Punto exceeds 10 kg/CV, so we are talking about more than 30% less ratio. These figures only confirm that it has been born for competition. But there is no point in it being able to put our lives at risk if it cannot prevent it. For that, the standard equipment it includes.

Safety equipment

In this respect we can assess a standard Fiat Grande Punto, since the Abarth versions include no additional passive safety equipment.

The Euro NCAP rating of the Fiat Grande Punto reaches 5 stars for adults, 3 for children and 2 for pedestrians. It is the minimum it should have aimed for in order not to be inferior to its main rivals such as the Alfa Mi.To, the Ford Fiesta, the Seat Ibiza or the VW Polo, which have the same rating.

As standard it includes up to 6 front, side and head airbags spread throughout the car, ABS+HBA (brake assist), ESP+ASR, EBD electronic brake force distribution, front seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters, DualDrive steering, hill start assist Hill Holder and 3-point ISOFIX mounts. The third rear head restraint is not optional. In its Fiat counterpart it is sold for 85 euros extra.

It is normal equipment and what I find the minimum required for a compact given the current state of affairs. Anything extra is welcome, but if there is less, we should consider an alternative purchase. Most brands offer this equipment on their models.

Standard equipment

The finish of the materials is really surprising. They are plastic but of very good quality, although the leather is genuine; you can feel it to the touch. Every last detail has been considered and it lives up to what the eye sees: its exterior appearance.

Going fully into the multimedia topic, it has the Blue&Me technology, with standard Bluetooth and a USB port for music in MP3 format (in the glovebox) (see detail). The CD goes unnoticed thanks to the ease of use of the former.

Despite including a Hi-Fi Interscope sound system with 4 speakers, 2 tweeters, 1 subwoofer and an amplifier, the sound quality is mediocre. It is enough to raise the volume slightly for distortion to start, even when adjusting the bass, treble and midrange settings. It may be a peculiarity of our test unit.

Another thing I have seen in all the models equipped with Blue&Me (Fiat Bravo, Abarth 500, Alfa Mi.To) is that when playing the MP3 via the pendrive, it is not possible to use the radio controls to skip tracks or browse folders. It can only be done from the steering wheel, and the information is shown on the instrument cluster display. The front passenger (and other occupants), in this case, is left at the driver’s whim.

Optionally you can order a Skydome type sunroof for 809 euros, rain sensor for 121 euros, tyre pressure monitoring for 200 euros or the navigation system for 483 euros.

The final price of the Abarth Grande Punto is 17,200 euros. It is a fairly affordable price, although one must bear in mind that it is more of a whim than a city car.

Assetto Kit and Esseesse Kit

In this special section we will discuss both kits, the characteristics the Abarth Grande Punto must meet to be modified with either of them, and the components of each.

The Assetto kit makes no changes to the engine or mechanical components (the car still produces 155 CV); it only changes the design, so after installation the car’s mechanical capability will be the same. It will only slightly improve braking. The components included in the kit are:

• lowered front and rear springs
• drilled front and rear brake discs
• high-performance front brake pads
• 18″ alloy wheels (white or titanium colour) with Pirelli Pzero 215/40 R18 tyres

The Assetto kit can be ordered at any Abarth dealership for 2,500 euros extra plus 4 hours of labour, which comes to a little under 2,750 euros.

On the other hand, the Esseesse kit, in addition to including the Assetto kit package, includes mechanical modifications to achieve an engine capable of delivering up to 180 CV. The components are:

• Assetto kit
• Garrett-type turbocharger
• specific injectors
• air filter developed by BMC
• clutch assembly
• dual-outlet specific exhaust terminal
• “esseesse” badge for the tailgate and bonnet
• “esseesse” 180 CV software for the ECU

A full power package which, for 4,500 euros plus 14 hours of labour (a little over 5,300 euros), is more than recommendable.

To have its installation validated by the brand, it is an essential requirement that the car be an Abarth Grande Punto with a 155 CV engine and that it has not exceeded 20,000 km or one year from the date of purchase.

It should be noted that after the Abarth Grande Punto kits are installed Assetto or Esseesse, the vehicle must pass the ITV (MOT) inspection so that the new configuration appears on the car’s technical data sheet.

Just as this test comes to an end, everything has an end, and the sadness of having to part with the car was very great. Even so, there are things that always last: the scorpion’s sting will remain forever in my body until the next one. Which will it be? The future will reveal it; in the meantime, we will keep testing road cars.

Photos | Javi Vicente and Jorge Rubio