Performance Review: Fiat Punto 1.8 16V HGT Abarth - [1998]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Fiat Punto Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Fiat Punto 1.8 16V HGT Abarth is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1998. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the and the .This particular Fiat Punto has a 1800cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 4 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St4's includes the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo

The Punto shares its Petrol St4 engine configuration with the likes of the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo and the 2013 Caterham 7 620 R 2.0 L Supercharged. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Punto's Front Wheel Drive, Hatchback combination then how about the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Golf R Performance 2.0 Turbo or the 2020 Toyota Avalon TRD 3.5 V6.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1040 kgs (2292 lbs) this makes the Fiat Punto 1.8 16V HGT Abarth in the same weight category as the 2016 Abarth 124 Spider 1.4 Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Fiat Punto shares the same bhp with the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (134 bhp)

In terms of power the 1800cc 16V St4 engine produces 136 bhp (101 kW) @ 7000 rpm similar to the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (134 bhp) or the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (148 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated St4 throws out 165 lb-ft (223.7 Nm) @ 3500 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (162 lb-ft) or the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (184 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Fiat Punto you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2013 Porsche Panamera Diesel 3.0 V6 Turbo (155.7 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Fiat Punto.

The Fiat Punto has a Power to weight ratio of 130.7 bhp per ton and 158.6 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1998 Punto competing with the 2013 Porsche Panamera Diesel 3.0 V6 Turbo (155.7 bhp per ton) or the 1976 Aston-Martin Lagonda Series 2 (155.7 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Fiat Punto generating around 158.6 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2010 Audi A7 3.0 TFSI Quattro (183.6 lb-ft per ton) or the 1997 Ford Mustang GT 4.6 V8 Convertible (183.6 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 7.80 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 8.1 secs, this made the Fiat Punto 1.8 16V HGT Abarth as fast as the 2017 Ford Focus 2.0 ST-3 TDCi 185PS (7.80 secs) the 2015 Ford Focus 2.0 ST-2 TDCi 185PS (7.80 secs) the 2007 Lexus IS 250 AWD (7.80 secs) the or the 2001 MG ZT 2.5 V6 190 (7.80 secs). This Fiat Punto 1.8 16V HGT Abarth is also faster than the 2016 Audi A3 2.0 TDI Quattro (7.90 secs) the 2013 Skoda Octavia RS TDI (7.90 secs) the 2013 Subaru BRZ 2L 210ps Sportshift (7.90 secs) the and the 2011 Infiniti FX 30d 3.0 V6 Diesel (7.90 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Punto and the 1980 Audi Quattro UR-Quattro

When talking about the performance of the Fiat Punto on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 15.91 secs @ 86.0 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1980 Audi Quattro UR-Quattro (15.85 secs), the 2005 Toyota Corolla TS Compressor 2.0L (15.85 secs), and the 2012 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Roadster (15.85 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1998 version of the Fiat Punto 1.8 16V HGT Abarth has a maximum speed of 130mph.

Top Speed of the 1998 Punto equals the 2010 Audi A1 A1 1.4 TFSI S-Tronic (141 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1998 Fiat Punto 1.8 16V HGT Abarth then how about the 2010 Audi A1 A1 1.4 TFSI S-Tronic (141 mph), the 2009 Renault Clio 2.0 RenaultSport III 200 Cup (141 mph), or the 2006 Seat Leon 1.8 20vt Cupra R 210 (141 mph).

Related Links:

1998 Punto Rivals List.

A Brief History of Fiat

Car Comparison