FIAT PUNTO

The 'Fiat Punto' is a supermini produced by the Italian manufacturer Fiat since 1993. It is currently in its third generation.

Contents

Mark 1

Mark 2

(1999-2003)

Punto Mk2 specifications

Mark 2 Facelift

Punto Van

Punto Mk2 Facelift specifications

Grande Punto

Non-European markets

Petrol

Diesel

Punto in motorsport

External links

Footnotes

Mark 1

Internally codenamed ''Project 176'', the Punto was announced in September 1993 and launched in early 1994 as a replacement for the aging Fiat Uno. The Punto was voted European Car of the Year for 1995. The Punto's distinctive clean-cut styling by Giorgetto Giugiaro was an instant hit (though one of the car's most recognisable features, the vertical tail lights, were not part of Giugiaro's original design and were in fact added later in-house at Fiat). Competitive pricing which undercut rivals such as the Opel Corsa and Volkswagen Polo also helped the Punto become an instant success in the marketplace.
Entry-level in the Punto range were the 1.1 and 1.2 L petrol engines and the 1.7 diesel engine. The 1.2 engine's actual capacity is 1.242 liters, available in 2 versions. The first, was fitted in the Punto ELX 75 and produced 75 HP at 6000 RPM while the second, fitted to Punto ELX 85 produced 86 HP at 6000 RPM. Both came with a 5 speed manual gearbox. A more powerful 1.6 Sporting was also available (replaced in 1997 by more economic 16 valve 1.2 unit), but the best performing version was the 1.4 GT using an evolution of the turbocharged 128 SOHC engine originally found in the Fiat Uno Turbo Mk II- capable of running over and reaching in just 7.9 seconds. This car was also fitted with a 5-speed manual gearbox, with different gear ratios than the ELX series. During the years the GT was made in three different "series" with power (1993-1995), (1995-1997) and (1997-1999).^[1] A cabriolet (convertible) version was also available; built by Bertone (rather than at the main Fiat factory) it featured a powered fully-retracting roof and was one of the cheapest open-top cars in the world at the time.

Mark 2

(1999-2003)

The second generation ''Nuova'' (New) Punto, codenamed ''Project 188'', was launched in 1999. The styling was all-new while retaining the original Punto's distinctive shape and design, while the chassis and interior were completely overhauled. The new Punto also became the first Fiat in decades to carry the original round Fiat badge, to celebrate Fiat's centenary.
The 1.1 and 1.4 turbo engines were discontinued due to emissions issues, and the entry-level models had only a 1.2 petrol unit (with either 8 or 16 valves, giving 60 and 80 hp respectively) or a 1.9 diesel (with or without common-rail injection). Two sporty versions vere offered. The 1.2 16 valve Sporting model, complete with 6 speed gearbox, and the hot 1.8 HGT which could reach almost 130 mph. The HGT accelerates 0-60 in 8.2 seconds, it was considered a big improvement in handling over the Mark 1 GT.
The Mark two Fiat Punto has also adopted Dualdrive electric power steering and comes with two operation modes, using an electric motor, rather than a hydraulic pump driven by the engine. This results in reduced fuel consumption and less environmental impact. It has a fuel economy of 31.7 mpg - urban and 58.4 mpg - extra urban for the 1.7 diesel. The 1.6 petrol does 31.7 mpg - urban and 48.7 - extra urban.

Punto Mk2 specifications

'Capacity'	1242–1910 cc
'Power'
'Max. speed'
'Acceleration'	0–100 km/h: 15.0–8.6 seconds

Mark 2 Facelift

In early 2003, Fiat celebrated the rollout of the 5,000,000th production Punto. In the same year, the Mark 2 Facelift brought further revisions to the platform, including extensive changes to the exterior styling and the dropping of the 1.2 L Sporting in favour of a new 1.4 16v engine, and the introduction of two HGT versions, 1.9 L ''Multijet'' diesel , and 1.8 L 16v petrol engine which could reach almost 130 mph continued over from the Mark 2. There was an introduction also of the 1.3 L common rail diesel ''MultiJet'' engine. The round Fiat badge, found only on the bonnet of Mark 2 models, was introduced on the tailgate of the Mark 2 Facelift. On June 1 2005, Fiat produced the 6,000,000th Punto at the Melfi plant. This Punto is currently the fourth-best selling supermini in Europe.
In October 2005, Serbian manufacturer Zastava reached an agreement with Fiat to make this version under licence with the model name 'Zastava 10'.
Despite the launch of the slightly larger 'Grande Punto' in 2005, the 1999 Punto is still in production. It will be replaced by a new B segment model in the next future model.

Punto Van

The Punto Van is a compact van that is used in a commercial environment. It is built also with a diesel 1.3 Multijet 16 valve engine with 70 BHP, ensuring low emissions. It has 1000 litres capacity with a metal partition to give the Punto a commercial model.

Punto Mk2 Facelift specifications

'Capacity'	1242–1910 cc
'Power'
'Max. speed'
'Acceleration'	0–100 km/h: 14.3–8.6 seconds

Grande Punto

The third generation Punto, codenamed ''Project 199'' and marketed ''Grande Punto'', was unveiled at the 2005 Frankfurt Motor Show and went on sale later that year. Again styled by Giugiaro, the car is based on the Fiat/GM SCSS platform.
The engines are the Fiat 1.2 Fire 8v (65 hp), a new 1.4 Fire 8v (77 hp) and the 1.4 16v (95 hp). Four MultiJet diesel engines are also available: two 1.3 16v units (75 hp and 90 hp, the latter with a variable geometry turbocharger) and two 1.9 with 120 and 130 hp, all of them with diesel particulate filter. All the engines are Euro IV compliant. In 2007 came new 1.4 T-Jet turbocharged
petrol engine (120 hp) available. In the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show Fiat will introduce 150 hp Abarth version.^[4] The cars nose, headlights and front grill look reminiscent of the Maserati Coupe, both were designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro of ItalDesign.
The Grande Punto was awarded with 5 stars in the EuroNCAP crash test for passenger protection and Euro NCAP 3 star certification for pedestrian safety.^[5] The most powerful engines have electronic stability program and anti slip regulation fitted as standard, and it is an optional extra on some of the lower powered engines.

Non-European markets

In Australia, Fiat introduced the Punto in mid 2006; it is the first Fiat to be sold in Australia since 1989. Shortly after its launch, the car (the 1.3L 90hp diesel) was recognised as the most economical car on the market.^[6]
The Italian-made Grande Punto has already been launched in Chile, Mexico and Dominican Republic, in petrol and diesel versions.
In the rest of South America, the Brazilian-built Grande Punto will be launched in August 2007. Codenamed ''Project 310'', it will be produced in the factory of Betim, Minas Gerais, Brazil.^[7] The chassis is a stronger version of the European version of the Punto, due to the differences in the roads in developing countries. At the beginning, the five-door version will be the only available in the Brazilian line. The engines will be the 80 hp 1.4 L FIRE 8v and the new Torque 1.9L with 8 and 16v; with 121 and 134 hp. In Brazil, a flexible engine is expected (they will work on both gasoline and ethanol).
The Grande Punto also went on sale in South Africa in 2006, replacing the previous generation. It is sold with a variety of petrol and diesel engines, beginning at around R120,000.
A sedan version of the Punto, the Fiat Linea, was launched in early 2007 to replace the aging Marea. It will be built on an extended version of the Punto's chassis, giving a total length of 4600 mm, making it jump to the small family car segment.
As for the Indian launch, it is expected to be until late 2007 for its launch followed by the Linea.

Petrol

Model	Engine	Displacement	Power	Torque	0-100 km/h,s	Top speed	Note
'1.2 8V FIRE'	I4	1242 cc	@5500 rpm	@3000 rpm	14.5
'1.4 8V FIRE'	I4	1368 cc	@6000 rpm	@3000 rpm	13.2
'1.4 16V StarJet'	I4	1368 cc	@6000 rpm	@4500 rpm	11.4
'1.4 T-JET'	I4	1368 cc	@5000 rpm	@2000 rpm	8.9		from 2007
'Abarth 1.4 T-JET'	I4	1368 cc	@5500 rpm	-	8.2		from 2007

Diesel

Model	Engine	Displacement	Power	Torque	0-100 km/h,s	Top speed	Note
'1.3 16 Multijet 16V'	I4	1248 cc	@4000 rpm	@1750 rpm	13.6
'1.3 16 Multijet 16V'	I4	1248 cc	@4000 rpm	@1750 rpm	11.9
'1.9 16 Multijet 8V'	I4	1910 cc	@4000 rpm	@2000 rpm	10.0
'1.9 16 Multijet 8V'	I4	1910 cc	@4000 rpm	@2000 rpm	9.5

Punto in motorsport

The Punto has always been popular with amateur racing drivers due to its low cost and the wide availability of spare parts. Several competition and homologated versions of the Punto have been produced, such as the Punto Rally, the S1600 and the Punto Abarth. A new rally car based on the third generation Punto, the Super 2000 Punto Abarth, was unveiled in 2005. It is four-wheel drive and powered by a 2.0 L 16 valve engine capable of producing 280 hp.
Punto has competed in the following motorsport events;

★ Targa Tasmania, Showroom class, (2007) the first diesel car to compete.
Punto won several rally championships, especially:

★ Italian rally championship (2003 and 2006)

★ European rally championship (2006)

★ International rally challenge (2006)
A motorsport version of the car can be found in several liveries in the video game .

External links

★ fiatforum

★ fiatpunto.com

★ The Punto Van

★ Grande Punto EuroNCAP results

★ The Punto Power fan site

★ The Punto Sports Forum fan site

★ The Punto MK2 & MK2B Forum fan site

★ PuntoUK: a UK based Punto fan site

★ Grande-Punto.de - The German Community

★ FiatPunto.com.pl - Polish Fiat Punto Forum

★ Puntoclub.gr - The Hellenic Club for Fiat Punto and Grande Punto

Footnotes

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