Fiat Punto

Fiat Grande Punto Description :

Fiat Punto has an over all length of 3987mm that is 13mm smaller than 4 meters and this length fulfills the criteria to term it as a small car. This is beneficial for both the company as well as customers because if any car termed as a small car under the Government's rule, it gets a 16% concession on excise duty. But for a car, its length is not the only criteria to put it in the small car category, it should also, be powered by the engine with the capacity of a 1.2L or less. To get excise duty benefit Fiat India took the chassis of Grande Punto and fitted in the 1172cc petrol engine that is alsl powers its previous hatchback Fiat Palio. Also the 1.2L, 1172cc, 8-valve, FIRE petrol engine is surely cheaper than its 1.4L engine petrol counterpart. Its 1.2L FIRE petrol engine can produce 68PS power @ 6000rpm and 96Nm torque @ 2500rpm.
 
Fiat Punto has launched in India with two engine option with both petrol and diesel variants. The diesel variant of Grande Punto is equipped with 1.3L, 1248cc, multijet turbo diesel engine that is currently powering Maruti Swift and Fiat Linea. This engine is well known for is tractable nature and it delivers 88bhp power by its front wheels. The safety features that are available with Fiat Punto include ABS (Antilock Brake System) with EBD (Electronic Brake-Force Distribution), Airbags, central locking, child lock, Power Door Locks, Anti-Theft Alarm, Front and Rear Seat Belts, Seat Belts Warning, Front and Side Impact Beams.

Fiat Punto is available in the International market with two body styles - a three door model and a five door model. However in the Indian market Grande Punto has launched with just five door version. Grande Punto has been launched with eight variants - Active, Dynamic and Emotion and Emotion Pack with both petrol and diesel fuel option.

The dashing interiors are also pleasing and compliment the overall aura of Fiat Punto. The red colored display with white dials makes its look funky and the layout of the dashboard of Grande Punto is neat. The ergonomically placed controls and knobs on the dashboard are easy to reach. The steering mounted audio controls make the drive more comfortable and safe. The elegantly designed interior of Grande Punto is airy and comfortable. Fiat has always been appreciated for its build quality and Fiat Punto continues this trend.

In B segment cars, Fiat Punto will compete against Maruti Swift, Hyundai Getz, Hyundai i20 and Chevrolet Aveo UV-A.

Fiat Punto Models

Mileage, Average and Fuel Economy

The petrol variants of Fiat Punto are equipped with a 1.4L Fire petrol engine with a five speed manual gearbox that offers smooth riding with better fuel efficiency - it offers a mileage 12kmpl in urban areas while on the highway it gives 16kmpl. On the other hand the diesel variants of this car are equipped with Fiat's most popular 1.3L, Multijet diesel engine with variable geometry turbocharger (VGT) that enhances the engine performance along with its fuel efficiency and offers 14kmpl mileage in city and 19kmpl mileage on highway roads.

Power

Fiat Punto is available with eight variants out of which its four variants are packed with two options of petrol engine – 1.2L, 1172cc FIRE petrol engine that is available only with the base variant of Fiat Punto and the 1.4L, 1368cc FIRE petrol engine that is available with rest three petrol variants of Fiat Punto like Dynamic, Emotion And Emotion Pack. The rest four variants of this car are available with diesel engine option. The Fiat Punto Active which is the base petrol variant of this car is powered by a 1.2L, 1172cc, FIRE petrol engine that produces 68bhp power at 6000rpm and 96Nm torque at 2500rpm. The rest three variants of this car are powered by the 1.4L, 1368cc, FIRE petrol engine that is able to produce maximum power of 90bhp power @ 6000rpm and 115Nm torque at 4500rpm. On the other hand the diesel variants of Fiat Punto are powered by a 1.3L, 1248cc Multijet VGT (Variable Geometry Turbocharger) Diesel engine that is able to produce maximum power of 76bhp power @ 4000rpm and 197Nm torque @ 1750rpm.

Colors

Fiat Punto is available with six stylish colors that are - Exotica Red, Minimal Grey, Medium Grey, Electric Blue, Bossa Nova White, and Hip Hop Black.

Acceleration and Pick Up

The base variant of Grande Punto is equipped with a 1.2L, 1172cc, FIRE petrol engine that offers great acceleration which enables it to cross the mark of 100kmph in just 14.5 seconds and achieve the top speed mark of 155kmph. The other three petrol variants of this model are equipped with a 1.4L, 1368cc, FIRE petrol engine that also offer excellent acceleration that enables it to cross the mark of 100kmph in just 10.9 seconds and achieve the top speed mark of 178kmph. On the other hand the diesel variants of Fiat Punto that comes with a 1.3L, 1248cc, Multijet, VGT (Variable Geometry Turbocharged) diesel engine also offers good acceleration that makes it able to break the barrier of 100kmph in just 13.6 seconds and touch the top speed mark of 165kmph.

Fiat Punto Exteriors

Exterior Appearance

Fiat Punto that is Italian designed comes new dynamic, fluid and stylish exteriors that include its aggressive front grille and flawless design that gives it a bold and aggressive look in the front. Its low slung, compact body, with muscular frame and arches gives it an overall solid and masculine look. The curvaceous rear with sporty 15" alloy wheels makes the Grande Punto to die for.

Exteriors Measurements

The dimensions of the Fiat Punto are - its length is 3,987mm, width is 1,687mm, its height is 1,495mm and the wheelbase of this car is 2510mm with the fuel tank capacity of 45 litres.

Fiat Punto Interiors

Interior Appearance

The Fiat Punto that comes with the essence of Italian design has attractive interiors especially its dual tone dashboard. The other exciting features that this car offers are its leather finished steering wheel and gear knob, height adjustable driver’s seat, comfortable position of pedals, power windows (both Front & Rear Door), and steering wheel with Blue and Me audio controls. The most revolutionary feature that Fiat Punto offers is its hands free system Blue and Me TM that makes it the first hatchback car of its segment in the Indian market to offer this feature in its segment.

Interior Comfort

Whether you are in the driver’s seat or seated as the passenger the new Fiat Punto takes you off to another world of comfort. Its pedals, gear knob and instrument cluster is placed at the most appropriate place for easy access and offers relaxed and comfortable driving experience. Grande Punto's dual tone dashboard and interiors, automatic climate control AC that is adapted for tropical climate and polien filter, electrically controlled outside rear view mirrors, automatic foldable key, easy to find ignition facing the driver and 60:40 split seats to customized storage space guarantees the most comfortable and relaxed driving experience with Grande Punto.

Interior Measurements

Fiat Punto is an ultra spacious car from inside and it offers generous headroom of 87cm and maximum rear leg space of 86cm with 131cm width of rear seat which is enough even for the six feet tall person.

Engine Capacity and Performance

Fiat Punto is available with both petrol and diesel engine option with the option of 1.2L and 1.4L for the petrol variant. Its base variants which are equipped with 1.2L, 1172cc, FIRE petrol engine offer better engine performance in comparison to other cars of the same segment. Its 1172cc, FIRE petrol engine produces maximum power of 68bhp at 6000rpm and 96Nm torque at 2500rpm. While the other option of petrol Grande Punto is its 1.4L, 1368cc, FIRE petrol engine and that also offers excellent engine performance as well, which makes it a powerful car in its segment. Its powerful 1.4L, 1368cc petrol engine produces maximum power of 90bhp power @ 6000rpm and 115Nm torque at 4500rpm. On the other hand diesel variants of Fiat Punto variants are equipped with 1.3L, 1248cc, Multijet Turbo engine with new VGT (Variable Geometry Turbocharger) technology that enhances the performance of this car and produces maximum power of 76bhp power @ 4000rpm and 197Nm torque @ 1750rpm.

Wheels

The wheels in Fiat Punto have an option of both steel wheel and alloy in them. Its lower variants Active, Dynamic and Emotion comes with steel wheel with full wheel cover while its top end variant Fiat Punto Emotion Pack comes with the sporty alloy wheels. The Grande Punto comes with puncture resistant tubeless tyres that facilitates off-road driving too. The tyre sizes of Fiat Punto are 165/80 R14 for Active and Dynamic, 175/70 R14 for Emotion and 195/60 R15 for Emotion Pack.

Braking and Handling

The front wheels of Fiat Punto are packed with the 257mm disc brakes while its rear wheels are equipped with 203mm drum brakes. The larger diameter disc brake of Grande Punto at its front wheel makes it easier to stop the car quickly. Emotion Pack, the top end variant of this car is equipped with ABS (Anti lock Brake System) and EBD (Electronic Brake force Distribution) that enhances the safety in case of instant brakes applied slippery road.

Handling and Safety

The Fiat Punto is built to offer maximum safety to you and your family. The active safety features that Grande Punto offers are its Dual Front SRS Airbags, ABS (Antilock Brake System) with EBD (Electronic Brake Force Distribution) that guarantees that it will never skid in case of instant braking, FPS (Fire Prevention System) that automatically cuts-off the fuel-flow in case of collision and minimizes risk of fire, FCS (Fiat Code System) that uses Immobilizer with Rolling Code which provides more protection against theft, CSA (Crash Severity Algorithm) recognizes the severity of impact and deploys the Dual Front SRS Airbags accordingly and ECS (Early Crash Sensor) that allows airbags to unfold completely before the occupants can hurtle towards the steering wheel.

Stereo and Accessories

Fiat Punto is packed with the advanced integrated MP3 Audio System with FM and Steering Mounted Audio Controls. Its advanced music system with six speakers comes with in-built USB port that can be used to connect equipments like pen-drive, mobile phone or iPod which takes entertainment to the next level.

Grande Punto is equipped with an effective and powerful air conditioning system with climate control and heater that offers required atmosphere to the passengers.

Fiat Grande Punto Pros :

Power, comforts, Fuel Economy, Looks, Large Wheelbase

Fiat Grande Punto Cons :

Servicing after Sales.