Punto gets Abarth treatment

FIAT has unveilled an Abarth performance version of its Punto at the Geneva motor show opening on Tuesday.

Set to be shown at the Australian International Motor Show in Sydney later this year – and on sale Down Under early in 2008 – the Scorpion-badged small car (denoting a "big sting in the tail") features a 1.4-litre turbo engine producing either 112kW or, with a booster kit, 134kW.

In either form, it is a substantial increase over the current 57kW natural-breathing version.