I Got Stung by a Scorpion... And I Liked it

I took my Bravo for its first service today. An hour later, and the car was ready for collection, and I was presented with the bill. To my surprise, it only cost £188.25 for the service and the good people at Rockingham Car Corby even gave me 10% off my bill.

Anyway, while I was at the dealer, I spotted a couple of Punto Abarth on the forecourt. From reading reviews about the car, this is supposed to be a cool pocket rocket. But I was trying to keep my cool and didn’t ask if I could take it for a spin. However, lucky me, the person who looked after the Abarth department is the same chap (Kevin) who sold me the Bravo. After a few minutes talking about the car, Kevin offered to take me for a spin in the Abarth. He drove the first half of the journey and I drove it back to the dealers.

I got stung by a scorpion, and I liked it.

From the outside, the Abarth looks like a normal Punto that has just drove into Halfords with a large magnet stuck to it. There isn’t anything special about it. However, look closer and you know this is a special car as you won’t find a single FIAT badge on it. All you see is the infamous scorpion badge with Abarth written on it.

The car I drove had cool leather bucket seats. That would cost an extra £850 on top of the £13,500 for the car. There is also a ‘Sport Boost’ button on the centre console. Similar to BMW’s ‘M’ button or Astra’s 888 ‘Sport’ button, this button will encourage you to drive like a lunatic.

If you were to own this car, I would suggest that you drive it with the ‘Sport Boost’ button switched on all the time. This increases the torque, makes the turbo kick in earlier, sharpens the steering response and adds a distinctive note to the exhaust. Without the button switched on, you will still have the power, but it feels sluggish to drive. Not worthy of the Abarth badge.

Somehow, the power delivery of this car is smooth. Unlike some other turbo cars where you will get a lack before the turbo kicks in and when it does, it just pushes you back into your seat, the Abarth feels smooth. It doesn’t feel like a turbo powered car but more like a normal aspirated car. It isn’t a bad thing. It is easier for you to control the power.

The huge Brembo brakes needs getting used to. One thing for sure, it will definitely stop the car at any speed.

I was quite surprise by the car’s ride. Judging from the outside, I thought this would be one of those spine-shattering-ride cars. However, it isn’t. You can feel that it is firm but nothing uncomfortable about it. You could drive this car for hours and still have your back intact.

So, will I buy it?

I don’t know. I like everything about the car but the looks. There is just something about a scooped up Punto look that shouts ‘chav!’ at me. If I can put a brown bag over the car and drive it, maybe I would. The thing is, only a car enthusiast can tell the difference between the Abarth and a Punto. For others, it will just be a boy racer’s Punto. Someone who probably has an ASBO to their name. It will have to be a bit more special before I can part with my £13,500.

In the meantime, I’ll just drive my Bravo and I look forward to the 500 Abarth coming soon.

But if you do decide to get one, give the good people at Rockingham Car Corby a call and ask for Kevin. He’ll sort you out with a deal.

Come on Abarth, make a Bravo.