Fiat Grande Punto

Fiat Punto
Manufacturer:	Fiat
Production:	1993 — present
Class:	Supermini
Body Styles:	FF 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—2006
Fiat Punto Mk. 3
Mark 3
Production:	2005—present
Video	Fiat Grande Punto Abarth

The Fiat Punto is a supermini 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 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. 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 124mph and reaching 60mph in just 8.3 seconds using an evolution of the turbocharged 128 SOHC engine originally found in the Fiat Uno Turbo Mk II. 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. Since the Fiat X1/9 most Fiat cabriolets have been designed and built by Bertone rather than at the main Fiat factory.

Mark 2 (1999-2005)

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 8.6 secs which is slightly slower than the Mark 1 GT on a straight line, but was considered a big improvement in handling.

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.

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 L Sporting in favour of a new 1.4 16v engine, and the introduction 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 2B. On 1 June 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.

Punto Van

The Punto Van is a compact van that is used in a commercial environment. It is built 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.

Grande Punto (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 (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 geometric variable turbo) and two 1.9 with 120 and 130 hp, all of them with diesel particulate filter. All the engines are Euro 4 compliant.

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. 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.

In Australia, Fiat introduced the Punto in mid 2006. The first Fiat to be sold in Australia for 18 years. Even though it is the Grande Punto model, in Australia, it will only be called the Punto, as Punto in Australia has never had a predecessor.

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 280hp.

Engines

Petrol

Model	Engine	Displacement	Power	Torque	0-100 km/h,s	Top speed	Note
1.2 8V Fire	I4	1242 cc	65 PS @5500 rpm	102 Nm @3000 rpm	14.5	155 km/h
1.4 8V Fire	I4	1368 cc	77 PS @6000 rpm	115 Nm @3000 rpm	13.2	165 km/h
1.4 16V StarJet	I4	1368 cc	95 PS @6000 rpm	125 Nm @4500 rpm	11.4	178 km/h	6-speed, from 2006
1.4 16V T-Jet	I4	1368 cc	120 PS @5000 rpm	206 Nm @1750 rpm	8.9	195 km/h	from 2007
1.4 16V T-Jet	I4	1368 cc	155 PS @5500 rpm	230 Nm @3000 rpm	8.2	208 km/h	Abarth model, from 2007
1.4 16V T-Jet	I4	1368 cc	180 PS @5750 rpm	272 Nm @2750 rpm	7.5	215 km/h	Abarth "SS" model, from 2008

Diesel

Model	Engine	Displacement	Power	Torque	0-100 km/h,s	Top speed	Note
1.3 16V MultiJet	I4	1248 cc	75 PS @4000 rpm	190 Nm @1750 rpm	13.6	165 km/h	5-speed
1.3 16V MultiJet	I4	1248 cc	90 PS @4000 rpm	200 Nm @1750 rpm	11.9	175 km/h
1.6 16V MultiJet	I4	1598 cc	120 PS @ 3750 rpm	320 Nm @ 1750 rpm	9.6	190 km/h	from late 2008
1.9 8V MultiJet	I4	1910 cc	120 PS @4000 rpm	280 Nm @2000 rpm	10.0	190 km/h	2005–2008
1.9 8V MultiJet	I4	1910 cc	130 PS @4000 rpm	280 Nm @2000 rpm	9.5	200 km/h	2005–2008

Abarth Grande Punto

Abarth Grande Punto Essesse

The first car from the newly created (2007) FIAT-owned Abarth & C. S.p.A, the Abarth Grande Punto differs significantly from its donor car.

Initially the Abarth Grande Punto will be available with a 150 PS (155 PS when using 97 ron fuel) 1.4 turbo engine, but from 2008 there will be an essesse kit available, which will be installed at official Abarth service centres rather than in the factory.

Engines

Model	Engine	Displacement	Valves	Power	Torque	0-100 km/h,s	Top speed	Note
Abarth 1.4 16V T-Jet	I4	1368 cc	16	155 PS @5500 rpm	206 Nm @5000 rpm Sport 230 Nm @ 3000 rpm	8.2 7.8	210 km/h	from 2007
Abarth SS 1.4 16V T-Jet	I4	1368 cc	16	180 PS @5750 rpm	270 Nm @3000 rpm	7.5	215 km/h	from 2008

Punto Evo

Punto Evo

The Grande Punto facelift version Punto Evo was presented in Frankfurt Motor Show 2009, it will have two new engines 1.3L second generation Multijet diesel and a 1.4 petrol engine with the Multiair technology. It will feature also new navigation system integrated to the Blue&Me system called "Blue&Me–TomTom.

Engines

Petrol

Model	Engine	Displacement	Power	Torque	0-100 km/h,s	Top speed	Note
1.2 8V Fire	I4	1242 cc	65 PS @5500 rpm	102 Nm @3000 rpm	14.5	155 km/h
1.4 8V Fire	I4	1368 cc	77 PS @6000 rpm	115 Nm @3250 rpm	13.2	165 km/h
1.4 8v 77 PS Euro5 Start&Stop	I4	1368 cc	77 PS @6000 rpm	115 Nm @3250 rpm	13.2	165 km/h
1.4 8v BIPOWER	I4	1368 cc	Petrol: 77 PS @6000 rpm Methane: 70 PS @6000 rpm	Petrol: 115 Nm @3000 rpm Methane: 104 Nm @3000 rpm	Petrol:14.9 Methane:16.9	Petrol: 162 km/h Methane: 156 km/h
1.4 8v GPL	I4	1368 cc	77 PS @6000 rpm	115 Nm @3000 rpm	13.2	165 km/h
1.4 16v MultiAir 105 PS Euro5 Start&Stop	I4	1368 cc	105 PS @6500 rpm	130 Nm @4000 rpm	10.8	185 km/h
1.4 16v MultiAir 135 PS Euro5 Start&Stop	I4	1368 cc	135 PS @5000 rpm	206 Nm @1750 rpm	8.5	205 km/h

Diesel

Model	Engine	Displacement	Power	Torque	0-100 km/h,s	Top speed	Note
1.3 16v Multijet 75 CV	I4	1248 cc	75 PS @4000 rpm	190 Nm @1500 rpm	13.6	165 km/h
1.3 16v Multijet 75 CV Euro5 Start&Stop	I4	1248 cc	75 PS @4000 rpm	190 Nm @1750 rpm	13.6	165 km/h
1.3 16v Multijet 90 CV	I4	1248 cc	90 PS @ 4000 rpm	200 Nm @ 1750 rpm	11.9	175 km/h
1.3 16v Multijet 95 CV Euro5 Start&Stop	I4	1248 cc	95 PS @4000 rpm	200 Nm @1500 rpm	11.7	178 km/h
1.6 16v Multijet 120 CV	I4	1.598 cc	120 PS @3750 rpm	320 Nm @1750 rpm	9.6	193 km/h

External links

• Punto Sports Club UK
• Fiat Fire engined tuning club
• Fiat Forum
• All Punto Sports Club
• ClubFiatPunto.com
• PuntoPower
• Punto Racing Club
• The Punto Van
• Official website of Fiat Punto in Australia
• Fiat Grande-Punto.de Forum