Fiat unveil hottest Punto yet

Fiat is set to unveil the hottest road-going Grande Punto Abarth yet at next week’s Frankfurt Motor Show.

The forthcoming Grande Punto Abarth SS (Super Sport) is packed with a 1.4-litre turbo engine and comes with a booster kit that takes power to a heady 180bhp – an increase of 25bhp on the standard Grande Punto Abarth.

Additions to the concept car include lowered suspension and uprated brakes to back up the car’s racy looks.

Also on display will be the most hardcore Grande Punto to have ever graced the stands – a 2-litre, 270bhp four-wheel drive rally car which is set to compete in the 2007 Italian Rally Championship and the Intercontinental Rally Challenge.

Around 25 Grande Punto Abarth S2000s have already been built to compete in rally championships across the globe, with Fiat hoping to rekindle their 2006 successes, when they took the 2006 Italian Rally Championship.

Fiat first showcased the rejuvenated Abarth brand at the Geneva Motor Show back in March, with the Grande Punto Abarth. Housing a 155bhp 1.4-litre engine mated to a six-speed box, the car completes the 0-60 dash in 8.2 secs.

Check back tomorrow for more Frankfurt Motor Show updates on Auto Trader.

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