It's true the Japanese have a penchant for European style, which is why unusual hot hatches were sold there new.
It also enables us to uncover exceptional examples of cars that have long since vanished from Europe.
Wearing homologation number 5609, the Fiat Punto HGT 16-valve was certified by the FIA for use in its sanctioned competition events under Group A.
Its powertrain, suspension, and other miscellaneous parts from the road car were used in its production race vehicles. This is not an uncommon story in the world of performance hatchbacks, but it’s good to know, as it indicates the type of car this one is.
Having now driven it, we believe it is fun with a rorty and willing engine. The 1.75-litre ‘Pratola Serra‘ engine as found here is closely related to the 1.75-litre Alfa Romeo engine used in its 4C sportscar and rorty Giulietta hatchback.
It’s a fantastic powertrain that’s charismatic like the best Italian ought to be. Further to being an HGT 16-valve model, this example was also configured with the Abarth sports pack.
Standard features include an aluminium gearknob and gearlever surround, an aluminium handbrake, Abarth-branded kick plates, an Abarth-styled front and rear ‘aero’ body kit, Abarth-branded side skirts, aluminium sports pedals, an Abarth steering wheel and Abarth alloy wheels.
Rest assured, there will not be another one of these at your next Car & Coffee.
The car pictured – 2000 Fiat Punto HGT Abarth
This Fiat Punto is a HGT 16 Valve Abarth model that was built in March 2000 and delivered new to Japan by the Fiat Japan as an official delivery. It was factory optioned with the electric sunroof & Abarth aero package, which includes a sports front bumper, side skirts, sports rear bar, larger alloy wheels and blue interior accents.
It was purchased as an accident- and corrosion-free example from USS Osaka. Upon arriving in Australia, we gave the vehicle a comprehensive mechanical one-once which included a new timing belt, tensioners and bearing, a re-seal of the engine, a new water pump, and all fluids.
We then had our panel shop of choice conduct a glass-out and panel-off respray in the original ‘Giallo (yellow)’ paint using PPG products. The original paint was showing clear-coat failure, the car is accident-free.
The interior of the car is in fair shape for its age. The driver’s seat is showing a small tear in the fabric, which is the worst of it. We fitted a new Pioneer Bluetooth stereo.
Quick facts
- 2000 Fiat Punto HGT 16 Abarth
- 97,294km
- Rare factory option Abarth kit with exterior and interior styling upgrades
- Factory option sunroof
- Comprehensive mechanical re-fresh (water pump, timing belt, engine re seal)
- Complete panel-off and glass-out exterior repsray in its original colour
- it was in great condition before the repaint, but its yellow paint had started to show signs of oxidisation
- 1.75-litre twin-cam 16-valve engine
- Five-speed manual transmission
- Two keys
- Japanese de-registration paperwork and auction paperwork available
- Price includes compliance
Based on the Punto 1.8 16v HGT, the new HGT Abarth, featuring the latest Phase Three version of the company's twin overhead camshaft 1747cc 130bhp engine, is equipped with a full Abarth sports pack.03 Apr 2001, Punto tops euro charts as HGT Abarth arrives, Stellantis.
