India is slowly developing a taste for hot hatchbacks, especially since the addition of the Volkswagen Polo GT TSI and the Fiat Punto Abarth. But given the love of crossovers in the country, how about a hot crossover?
The Fiat Avventura Abarth is the bigger sibling of the Punto and it gets the Abarth treatment too. Interestingly, both the Abarths come with almost the same price tag.
Does it live up to the expectations? Let’s find out.
The Looks
At first glance, it is clear that the car is just a crossover and does not pretend to be an SUV. It does not have a lot going on in terms of looks as compared to the regular Avventura, except the Scorpion shaped 16-inch alloy wheels and Abarth engraving on the side body cladding. However, it would’ve been nice if they could have done something a bit different with this one.
The chrome touches on the front grille and fog lights, and the rear-mounted tyre certainly looks attractive. The ground clearance is great and the roof rails can actually be used for your off-road adventures and are not just a cosmetic addition, unlike some of the other crossovers in the market.
From the inside, the horizontal and vertical inclinometers along with the compass, look like stickers during the day. If you are planning to show off this car, then we would recommend doing so when the sun has set, as the red ambient lighting makes the car look more luxurious than it actually is.
There is ample leg and head room.
Also Read: Review: The Volkswagen Polo GT TSI is a 7-Speed Rocket
The Good
The star of the car is the Abarth-tuned 1.4-litre T-Jet that puts out a whopping 140 horsepower and 210 Nm of torque. This means that the car can sprint from 0-100 km/h in 9.9 seconds! Braking isn’t a problem either as all 4 wheels get disc brakes.
The boot is spacious and having 60:40 rear split makes it even better, the rear AC vent comes in handy for those sitting at the back. The cabin feels nice and airy and there are several small compartment spaces for storage.
Also Read: Review: The 145 BHP Monster Hot Hatchback – Fiat Punto Abarth
The Bad
The engine may be the star of the car but everything that should support it lets you down. The suspension is not stiff enough, the gearbox feels clunky and there is a lot of torque steer. What this means is that when you accelerate, the car becomes difficult to control, which doesn’t induce a lot of confidence.
In order to pop open the boot you will have to move the rear-mounted tyre sideways and then the boot lid opens upwards. Hence, you need to keep in mind that there needs to be almost two-three feet space behind the car if you wish to open the boot, else you simply can’t.
The Rivals
The car’s biggest rival has to be its own member of the family – the Punto Abarth. Yes, that is equally overpowered and difficult to handle under hard acceleration, but it still is more practical and makes more sense than the Avventura Abarth.
But pitch this one against the other crossover or even compact SUV offerings and most of them won’t be able to offer the same adrenaline rush as the Avventura Abarth.
However, don’t expect this one to be as practical as the Brezza or the Ecosport.
Also Read: The Big Bout: Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza Vs Hyundai Creta
Fiat Avventura Abarth Features:
- Engine: 1.4 litre Abarth-tuned T-Jet
- Transmission: 5-speed manual
- Power: 140 hp
- Torque: 210 Nm
- Price: Rs 10.26 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi)
Verdict
It is overpowered and unstable under hard acceleration, but the trick is to not floor it. Once you learn how to regulate the throttle and make it sit in higher gears, the car can be a breeze to drive.
At Rs 10.26 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi), it is meant for those who are looking for a fun driving experience and can overlook the amount of fuel it gobbles.
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