Abarth Grande Punto 2008–2010 car dimensions: 4041 mm long, 1726 mm wide and 1490 mm high. Unladen weight is 1,260 kg. Braked towing is 1,000 kg.
The cabin has supportive sports seats with integrated headrests and lumbar adjustment, a leather-trimmed steering wheel and gear knob with red stitching, and a radio/CD player with MP3 and steering wheel controls. Blue&Me Bluetooth hands-free phone system with USB is standard. Air conditioning is standard, with dual-zone automatic climate control available as an option. Cruise control is standard in some markets and optional in others. Parking sensors are optional. No touchscreen is fitted. Driver aids include standard ESP, ABS, ASR and Hill Holder, but nothing more advanced.
Boot holds 275 litres with the rear seats up and expands to 1030 litres when folded. The space is practical for a three-door hot hatch of this size.
Braked towing capacity is 1000 kg and unbraked is 400 kg. Payload is 405 kg. Standard suspension is already lowered by 10 mm with stiffer springs and a thicker anti-roll bar for sportier handling. Further lowered and firmer Assetto suspension is available as an option pack. The car is not aimed at heavy work use.
The cabin feels sporty with figure-clasping seats that have integrated headrests, lumbar support and side bolsters for good hold in corners. Front seats are supportive yet comfortable on longer trips. Leather trims the steering wheel and gear knob. Air conditioning is standard. Space is generous for the class with an upright seating position and strong all-round visibility. Dark tinted rear glass is fitted.
Combined fuel use 6.9 l/100 km (urban 9.6, extra-urban 5.3)
45-litre fuel tank
Service every 30 000 km or 1 year
Euro NCAP 5 stars adult, 3 child, 3 pedestrian (base Grande Punto)
Standard six airbags, ABS+EBD, ESP, ASR, HBA, Hill Holder, ISOFIX
Fuel economy is rated at 6.9 l/100 km combined under NEDC rules, with 9.6 l/100 km in town and 5.3 l/100 km on the open road. The tank holds 45 litres of unleaded petrol rated 95 RON or higher. CO2 output sits at 162 g/km and the car meets Euro 4 rules.
Servicing is set at 30 000 km or once a year, including oil and filter changes. The timing belt needs attention at longer intervals around 100 000 km.
Safety kit is strong for the era. Six airbags (front, side and curtain), ABS with EBD, non-switchable ESP, traction control, brake assist and hill holder come as standard, along with ISOFIX mounts. The related Fiat Grande Punto scored five stars for adult protection in Euro NCAP testing plus three stars each for child and pedestrian protection.
Live-with aspects centre on the supportive sports seats and roomy cabin that suit daily use as well as harder driving. The lowered, stiffened suspension still delivers acceptable ride comfort. Rear seats fold to expand the 275-litre boot.
Length 4041 mm, Width 1726 mm, Height 1490 mm, Wheelbase 2510 mm (Grande Punto 2008–2010)
Sources: manufacturer data, Fiat Group Automobiles Germany AG, Abarth press technical data sheet Grande Punto Abarth 1.4 T-Jet 16V, Standard paint white is the September 2007 Fiat configurator colour.