Small is beautiful
In the previous two episodes of OpSearch Naar, with successively different hybrid forms and compact sedans, we were on a modern and down-to-earth tour respectively. This time we can blow old-fashioned again! We do this with three compact powerhouses that you can also call hot hatchbacks.
To save money for maintenance, fuel, insurance, motor vehicle tax and … speeding fines (!), we do not go for the real guns, but we keep it a little milder. There is also plenty of goodies to eat in that category. Will it be a rarity, a driver’s car or a light-footed rascal?
Abarth Punto Evo 1.4 T-Jet 16V – 2011 – 129,026 kilometers – €12,950
What John Cooper did in Great Britain, Carlo Abarth did in Italy: making – especially – small four-wheelers faster. Abarth, which also independently built sporty cars, was taken over by Fiat in 1971 and has been operating as a ‘house tuner’ ever since. One of the more modern creations is the Abarth Punto, like this heroic Abarth Punto Evo. With its bright red lacquered coach with many scorpions and beautiful alloy wheels underneath, the urge to act of this occasion radiates.
This Abarth is imported
The H-272-ZH was imported in 2020, had one owner here and is ready to please the next at a seller who calls himself Abarth specialist. Unfortunately, the advertisement does not mention a guarantee, which should be mandatory for such a non-cheap import athlete. It is one of the few drawbacks, because Abarth has not turned the Punto Evo into a kidney pulverizer. The beautiful bucket seats are not uncomfortable and neither is the chassis in the ‘Normal’ position. However, put the manettino on the ‘Sport’ position and the throttle response becomes brighter, the steering is sharper and the 165 hp are much more clearly present.
Yet, despite the sporty adjustments that are also clearly present in the interior (such as the dashboard), the Punto Evo retains an all-round character. It’s not as focused as, say, a Renault Clio RS of the era. For less experienced drivers, the well-functioning electronic differential lock TTC, which brakes the wheels individually if desired, will provide a
reassurance, as well as the exclusive character of this car. You will not find an Abarth on every street corner. A sliding/tilting glass roof, a tire pressure monitoring system, partial leather upholstery and climate control are available.
The entry in the back is a bit of a thing with this three-door with its sports seats, but once you get there, you’re quite spacious. These are the 1,030 liters measuring luggage space when folded down
rear seat and the braked towing weight of 1,000 kilos as well. In short: a rare sports alternative suitable for everyday use!
Signaling
Brand Abarth
Type Punto Evo 1.4 T-Jet 16V
Construction year April 2011
Mileage 129,026
Asking price €12,950
Where to buy? Pitstop Car Trading BV, Dronten
Technical data
Engine 4-cyl. in-line, 1,368 cc, turbo
max. assets 121 kW/165 hp at 5,500 rpm
max. couple 250 Nm at 2,250 rpm
Luggage room 275 l/1,030 l
max. trailer braked 1,000 kilograms
Avg. consumption 1:16.7
0-100km/h 7.9s
Top speed 213 km/h
All data according to factory specifications
Ford Fiesta ST – 2015 – 125,403 kilometers – €12,895
For the same amount we find this Molten Orange Ford Fiesta ST in the distant Geleen. About the same number of kilometers as the Abarth, but four years younger. Also started his life across the border, but ended up in our country just nine months later. Since then it has pleased three owners with its – above all – excellent driving characteristics. Unfortunately, no word about warranty here either. Fie!
Fiesta ST not modest
Where the Abarth still comes across as somewhat subtle, the German makes no mistake about it: this is a hot hatch to be seriously taken into account! He lives up to all outward immodesty. The nose houses a hangman of a 1.6 turbo (the Focus ST of the time had a 2.0 turbo) of the time and it delivers even more power and performance than the tantalizing Abarth machine. The chassis is – Ford in mind – well calculated. The suspension has been lowered so that the comfort level does not reach the level of the Italian. Furthermore, the steering is more direct and the dampers are firmer than those of its less fortunate brothers. The chassis is nice and ‘loose’: letting go of the gas in a fast corner produces a lively butt. Thanks to the electronic limited slip differential including torque vectoring, you immediately have enough traction when you exit a corner to attack the next corner. The ESP has three positions with – for the daredevil – position ‘off’.
Red Recaros
With its matching red Recaros, aluminum pedals and some sporty trinkets, the interior also breathes all anabolic steroids, but is less tasteful and rich than that of its Italian opponent. It is nice that the Fiesta ST is available as a three- and five-door. As you can see, the occasion portrayed is a three-door. In addition, you notice its younger age in such things as hill assist, heated seats, knee airbag and LED daytime running lights. We are not surprised that a trailer is not possible with this bomb. Who dares him?
Signaling
Brand Ford
Type Fiesta ST
Construction year August 2015
Mileage 125,403
Asking price €12,895
Where to buy? Car company Ton Kerkhoffs, Geleen
Technical data
Engine 4-cyl. in-line, 1,595 cc, turbo
max. system power 134 kW/182 hp at 5,700 rpm
max. system torque 290 Nm
Luggage room 295L/974L
max. trailer braked note
Avg. consumption 1:16.9
0-100km/h 6.9s
Top speed 225km/h
All data according to factory specifications
Suzuki Swift 1.6 Sport – 2016 – 69,878 kilometers – €12,990
If it is a bit less intense and you want more security or manageable costs in return, then this Suzuki Swift could be something for you. To start with certainty: the first and only – apparently – German owner (yes, another import) drove it for less than 70,000 kilometers. And there is a Bovag warranty, although this is – including an extensive delivery package – at an additional cost: €595 for 6 months, €995 for a year. There is a house guarantee/statutory guarantee in combination with a leniency scheme as standard. Well, at least it’s under warranty.
Then the ‘lesser’. The Swift Sport takes it a bit easier in terms of power and performance. Responsible for this is an atmospheric 1600. A bit old school: a thick block in a relatively light body; the Swift weighs 150 kilos less than the Abarth. It needs to get up to speed, does not shy away from high speeds, but is therefore subject to the highest consumption. It is nice that the unblown Swift does not run much higher at constant speeds. Longer rides don’t have to be tiring at that point. Nor is the furniture. No tight tubs here. By the way, the whole interior does not exude the pronounced sporty as its opponents do. A color deviating piping, some aluminum accents, that’s it. In addition, the driver’s seat is just a bit too high.
It’s a five-door
The exterior shows with its roof spoiler, thick exhausts and substantial bumper work that we are not dealing with an ordinary five-door Swift (there is also a three-door Sport). Neither are the driving characteristics: this Japanese is a nice light-footed crack iron with which there is plenty of fun to be had. And … not just a smile for the driver, because rear passengers also have the best of it here with the available space. The luggage space is again very disappointing, while the use of materials here and there is a bit simple.
Signaling
Brand Suzuki
Type Swift 1.6 Sports
Construction year March 2016
Mileage 69,878
Asking price €12,990
Where to buy? Garage Landeweerd, Apeldoorn
Technical data
Engine 4-cyl. in-line, 1,586 cc
max. assets 100 kW/136 hp at 6,900 rpm
max. couple 160 Nm at 4,400 rpm
Luggage room 211 l/na
max. trailer braked n/a
Avg. consumption 1:15.6
0-100km/h 8.7s
Top speed 195 km/h
All data according to factory specifications
Which of these three hot hatchbacks is right for you?
In summary: the Abarth Punto Evo is the most all-round and exclusive, but also the oldest of the three. The Fiesta ST is the boss on several fronts, but also shows it exuberantly. Suzuki’s Swift is less hardcore, but has by far the lowest mileage as an advantage. In addition to these three, there are many compact hot hatches from Mini, Opel, Peugeot, Renault, Seat, Skoda, Toyota and Volkswagen, among others. Not all highly recommended (think of TSI/DSG and THP), but … where have they gone? Unfortunately hardly in today’s price lists. So it becomes an opportunity. What would be your choice then?
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– Thanks for information from Autoweek.nl