Fiat Abarth Punto vs Volkswagen Polo GT TSI vs Ford Figo 1.5 petrol; Specification, price comparison

Fiat launched the Abarth Punto priced at Rs 9.95 lakh and it has become the most powerful hatchback under Rs 10 lakh. The new hot hatch goes up against the previous topper Ford Figo with 1.5-litre engine and the Volkswagen GT TSI. The new Ford Figo was launched at the end of last month and its achievement as the most powerful hatchback is short-lived with the launch of Abarth Punto. The Volkswagen Polo GTI was the first car that forayed in to the hothatch segment in the country.

We have compiled all the available information on all three cars for a specification and price comparison. You will notice why we have left out the Abarth Avventura and the Volkswagen Polo GT TDI. The first is not in this compassion because Fiat positions it as a crossover while the latter is powered by a diesel engine. We are comparing the top three affordable hatches with petrol engine.

Engine and Transmission

The Fiat Abarth Punto is powered by 1.4-litre T-JET turbocharged petrol engine that develops 145bhp at 5,500rpm and 212Nm of torque at 2,000-4,000rpm mated to five-speed manual transmission.

The Volkswagen GT TSI is powered by in-line four-cylinder 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol engine that develops 104bhp at 5,000rpm and 175Nm of torque in the range of 1,500-4,100rpm mated to seven-speed DSG gearbox.

The Ford Figo with bigger 1.5-litre Ti-VCT engine develops 110bhp at 6,300rpm and 136Nm of torque at 4,250rpm mated to six-speed dual clutch gearbox.

Fiat Abarth Punto seals its most powerful hatchback tag with 145bhp while the runner-up, the Ford Figo has only 110bhp, which is a huge gap. As an enthusiast driver's prefers, the Abarth Punto also comes with a manual gearbox. The rest of the two are equipped with dual clutch gearboxes, which are the most advanced automatic transmission. The Polo GT TSI scores here with the seven-speed DSG transmission.

Dimensions and Brakes

The Fiat Abarth Punto measures 3,989mm in length, 1,687mm in width, 1,505mm in height and a wheelbase of 2,510mm. The Abarth Punto also comes with 155mm ground clearance and comes with 16-inch wheels all of them are equipped with disc brakes.

The Volkswagen GT TSI measures 3971mm in length, 1,682mm in width and 1,469mm in height with a wheelbase of 2,469mm. The car has minimum ground clearance of 165mm and comes in 15-inch wheels in which only front two are equipped with disc brakes.

The Ford Figo comes with 3,886mm in length, 1,695mm in width and 1,595mm in height with a wheelbase of 2,491mm. The car has a ground clearance of 174mm and 14-inch alloy wheels come with front disc brakes.

The Fiat Abarth is the longest car among the three while Ford Figo leads in width and height. The Abarth Punto has the bigger 16-inch wheels and all of them with disc brakes while both the other have smaller tyres and front disc brakes only.

Fuel efficiency

The Fiat Abarth Punto returns ARAI claimed fuel efficiency of 16.3kmpl. The Ford Figo with 1.5-litre petrol engine with the six-speed DCT is certified at 17 kmpl while the Volkswagen Polo GT TSI comes with 17.21kmpl. The figure indicates all three cars battle neck and neck in fuel efficiency.

Price and conclusion

The Fiat Abarth Punto is priced at Rs 9.95 lakh and Ford Figo 1.5-litre petrol is priced at Rs 6.91 lakh. Volkswagen has priced the GT TSI at Rs Rs 8.47 lakh, all prices ex-showroom, Delhi. The Ford Figo is the most affordable car in the comparison and also the second most powerful car. However, the hot hatch segment is not a car segment you approach with questions like how much fuel efficiency? And which is the most affordable etc. In conclusion what we have now is more choices that can be selected according individual buyers requirements.