Punto Abarth: hot hatch, Italian style - Introduction

When it comes to hot hatches based on superminis, there's plenty of choice - you've got the Peugeot 207 GTi or Renault Clio Renaultsport 197, for example.

Then there's the Ford Fiesta ST, Mini Cooper S, Seat Ibiza Cupra, Vauxhall Corsa VXR and Volkswagen Polo GTi...

You get the picture. Plenty of cars, plenty of different identities. Now Fiat has chipped in with the Grande Punto Abarth.

Available in two trims, standard and Esseesse, the Abarth has some stiff competition - but it does add that dash of Italian style to distinguish itself.

Read on to see how it fared in our first drive of the car.