Performance Review: Fiat Grande Punto 1.4 T-Jet 155 Abarth - [2008]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Fiat Grande Punto Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Fiat Grande Punto 1.4 T-Jet 155 Abarth is the 6 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 2008. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2008 Ariel Atom V8 500 and the 2008 SSC Ultimate Aero TT.This particular Fiat Grande Punto has a 1368cc 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 Grande 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 Grande 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 1185 kgs (2612 lbs) this makes the Fiat Grande Punto 1.4 T-Jet 155 Abarth in the same weight category as the 2018 McLaren Senna 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

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

In terms of power the 1368cc 16V St4 engine produces 153 bhp (114 kW) @ 5500 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 170 lb-ft (230.4 Nm) @ 3000 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 Grande Punto you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2005 Audi Q7 4.2 V8 (154.0 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Fiat Grande Punto.

The Fiat Grande Punto has a Power to weight ratio of 129.1 bhp per ton and 143.4 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2008 Grande Punto competing with the 2005 Audi Q7 4.2 V8 (154.0 bhp per ton) or the 1993 BMW 8 Series 840Ci 4.0 V8 2d Auto (154.0 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 Grande Punto generating around 143.4 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 1990 Chevrolet Camaro 5.0 V8 RS (168.4 lb-ft per ton) or the 1975 Mercedes SL Class 450SL V8 R107 (168.3 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 8.10 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 8.4 secs, this made the Fiat Grande Punto 1.4 T-Jet 155 Abarth as fast as the 2014 Peugeot 308 GT 2.0 Blue HDI 180 (8.10 secs) the 2006 Volkswagen-VW Golf GT TDi 170 (8.10 secs) the 2005 Vauxhall-Opel Astra 2.0 Turbo SRI (8.10 secs) the or the 2004 Citroen C2 1.6 VTS 3-5dr (8.10 secs). This Fiat Grande Punto 1.4 T-Jet 155 Abarth is also faster than the 2006 Seat Leon 2.0 16v TDI FR (8.20 secs) the 2005 Land-Rover Range Rover 4.4 V8 (8.20 secs) the 2003 BMW X5 3.0d (8.20 secs) the and the 2000 Honda Civic 2.0i VTEC Type S (8.20 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Grande Punto and the 1998 Honda NSX 3.0 V6 Auto

When talking about the performance of the Fiat Grande Punto on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 15.93 secs @ 85.9 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1998 Honda NSX 3.0 V6 Auto (15.87 secs), the 2004 BMW X5 4.8is V8 (15.87 secs), and the 2004 Renault Clio 2.0 16V Renaultsport Trophy 182 (15.88 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2008 version of the Fiat Grande Punto 1.4 T-Jet 155 Abarth has a maximum speed of 129mph.

Top Speed of the 2008 Grande Punto equals the 2021 BMW i4 M50 (140 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2008 Fiat Grande Punto 1.4 T-Jet 155 Abarth then how about the 2021 BMW i4 M50 (140 mph), the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (140 mph), or the 2019 Tesla Model 3 Standard Range Plus (140 mph).

Related Links:

2008 Grande Punto Rivals List.

A Brief History of Fiat

Car Comparison