During this year's Geneva Auto Show Fiat made a special appearance with the new Abarth Punto Scorpione limited edition. Sold in a limited number of only 199 models, the Punto Scorpione is a car solely dedicated to those who love an adrenaline rush, but prefer not to stand out too much in the crowd. The Abarth Punto Scorpione is the live definition of a hidden-weapon.
The Abarth Punto Scorpione comes equipped with the 1.4 liters MultiAir engine found in the Abarth 500C Esseesse and the Abarth Punto Evo, but it has now been boosted in order to produce 180 hp and a maximum torque of 280 Nm at 2500 rpm. Able to accelerate from 0 to 60 in just 7.5 seconds, the Scorpione is capable of reaching the top speed of 134 miles per hour.
Further improvements and modifications have been made to both the ride and the breaking system, all the 180 hp developed by the boosted engine being kept in check by Koni shock absorbers featuring FSD, perforated self-ventilating disk brakes at both front and rear wheels and a couple of oversized four-piston brake calipers. The exhaust system is also borrowed from the "Esseesse" kit, featuring an oversized mid-section which comes with the distinctive "growl" at low revs.
When it comes to the body kit, the exterior of the car is pretty much the same as the Abarth Punto Evo, with the exception of an exclusive black paint-job combined with the hand-polished glossy trims on the bonnet and roof. The rims have also been replaced by 18" alloys painted in glossy black in order to fit perfectly with the other exterior features of theScorpione.
On the interior the Scorpione features Abarth sport seats covered in a special black fabric put together by red and yellow stitching. The seats themselves are made of lighter material in order to keep the weight down, resulting in better handling and ferocious acceleration. The steering wheel has been covered with leather stitched in the same manner as the seats, and both the stainless steel pedals and kick plates have been labeled with the Abarth shield.
Overall, the Abarth Punto Scorpione does what it's supposed to do and that's delivering a high performance hatchback in a less-eccentric manner. However, compared with the Abarth Punto Evo the Scorpione is nothing to write home about, and as far as availability goes, if all the 199 models produced have already been sold, then you can always turn your attention back to the Abarth Punto Evo, which offers a similar but less unique package and about 15 hp less. I wonder if the difference in price will be a reasonable and justified one.