Fiat Punto

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

Mark 1

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.

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.

Revision B

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 , ensuring low emissions. It has 1000 litres capacity with a metal partition to give the Punto a commercial model.

Grande Punto

The third generation Punto, codenamed Project 199, 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 larger version 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. Shortly after its launch, the car was recognised as the most economical car on the market."Fiat Punto revealed as Australia's most economical car", Perrys.co.uk

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.

Fiat Punto: Encyclopedia BETA

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