Fiat Punto

Fiat Punto
Manufacturer:	Fiat
Production:	1993 — present
Layout & Class:	FF supermini
Body Styles:	3 and 5-door hatchback 3-door convertible (Mark 1 only)
Predecessor:	Fiat Uno
Successor:	Still in production
Mark 1
Production:	1994—1999
Mark 2
Production:	1999—2003
Mark 2b
Production:	2003—2005
Fiat Punto Mk. 3
Mark 3
Production:	2005—present
This article is part of the Fiat automobile series.
Video	Fiat Punto Abarth

The Fiat Punto is a supermini automobile produced by the Italian manufacturer Fiat since 1994. It is currently in its third generation.

Mark 1 (1993-1999)

Internally codenamed Project 178, the Punto was announced in September 1993 and launched in early 1994 as a replacement for the ageing 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 General Motors 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 litre petrol engines and the 1.7 diesel. 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 Turbo - capable of running over 130mph and reaching 60mph in just 7.6 seconds. A cabriolet (convertible) version was also available, 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 85bhp respectively) or a 1.9 diesel (with or without a turbo). 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 130mph. The HGT had slower acceleration than its predecessor, the Mark 1 GT, but was considered an improvement in handling.

Mark 2, Revision B (2003-2005)

In early 2003, Fiat celebrated the rollout of the 5,000,000th production Punto. In the same year, the Mark 2 revision B revamp brought further revisions to the platform, including extensive changes to the exterior styling and the dropping of the 1.2 litre Sporting in favour of a new 1.4 16v engine, and the introduction of the 1.3 litre 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 2B. On 1 June 2005, Fiat produced the 6,000,000th Punto at the Melfi plant. This Punto is currently the fourth-best selling subcompact (i.e., Class-B) car 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.

Mark 3 (2005-)

The third generation Punto, codenamed Project 199 and officially titled 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 "Small" platform (a new version of GM Gamma platform).

The engines are the 1.2 Fire 8v, a new 1.4 Fire 8v and four Multijet Diesel: two 1.3 16v units (one with a geometric variable turbo 90bhp) and two 1.9 JTD Multijets with 120 and 130cv. The top-of-the-range GT version will be powered by a turbocharged 1.6 engine developing 180-200bhp.

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 litre 16 valve engine capable of producing 280hp.

File:FiatPuntoRacer.jpg

Punto Abarth

External links

• ClubFiatPunto.com
• PuntoPower
• Punto Racing Club
• FiatPunto.org
• Punto MK2 Owners Club