Fiat Punto

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Fiat Punto
Manufacturer Fiat
Production 1993–present
Predecessor Fiat Uno
Class Supermini
Body style(s) 3/5-door hatchback
3-door convertible (1994–99)
3-door van
Related Fiat Barchetta
Fiat Idea
Fiat Panda
For the latest car under the Punto brand, see, see Fiat Grande Punto.

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

Contents

[edit] Mark 1 (1993-1999)

Mark 1
Production 1993–99
Predecessor Fiat Uno
Body style(s) 3/5-door hatchback
3-door convertible
Engine(s) 1.1 L I4
1.2 L I4
1.4 L I4 turbo
1.6 L I4
1.7 L I4 diesel
Transmission(s) 5-speed manual
6-speed semi-auto
Wheelbase 2450 mm (96.5 in)
Length 3760 mm (148 in)
Width 1625 mm (64 in)
Height 1395 mm (54.9 in)
Curb weight 830–1040 kg (1829–2292 lb)
1070 kg (2358 lb) cabrio
Fuel capacity 47 L (10.3 Imp. gallons)
(12.4 U.S. gal)
Designer Giorgetto Giugiaro

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 Fiat 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/rear lights, were not part of Giugiaro's original design and were in fact added later in-house at Fiat's factory). Competitive pricing which undercut rivals such as the Opel/Vauxhall Corsa and Volkswagen Polo also helped the Punto become an instant success in the European marketplace.

[edit] Entry level

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 3 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. The third was a 60hp engine which eventually replaced the 1.1 54hp engine. All came with a 5 speed manual gearbox.

[edit] Sporting versions

A 1.6 Sporting was also available producing 88 bhp (replaced in 1997 by the more economic 16 valve 1.2 unit), but the best performing version was the 136 PS (134 hp/100 kW) 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 200 km/h (124 mph) and reaching 100 km/h (62 mph) 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 136 PS (134 hp/100 kW) (1993-1995),133 PS (131 hp/98 kW) (1995-1997) and 130 PS (128 hp/96 kW) (1997-1999).[1]

[edit] Convertible

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.

Modified Fiat Punto Mark 1.
Modified Fiat Punto Mark 1.

[edit] Other versions

Particular versions of the Mark I Punto were the Punto 6Speed, a 1.1 FIRE Punto 55 with a 6-speed gearbox, the Punto Selecta, the only Punto in history with the automatic gearbox, and the Punto ED (Economical Drive), a 1.1 Punto whose 5-speed geabox was designed for high fuel efficiency.

[edit] Mark 2 (1999-2003)

Mark 2
Fiat Punto Mk. 2
Production 1999–2003
Body style(s) 3/5-door hatchback
Engine(s) 1.2 L 8v I4
1.2 L 16v I4
1.8 L 16v I4
1.9 L I4 diesel
Transmission(s) 5-speed manual
6-speed manual (Sporting)
6 or 7-speed CVT/semi-auto (Speedgear)
Wheelbase 2460 mm (96.9 in)
Length 3800 mm (149.6 in)
Width 1660 mm (65.4 in)
Height 1480 mm (58.3 in)
Curb weight 860–1050 kg (1895–2314 lb)
Fuel capacity 47 L (10.3 Imp. gallons)
(12.4 U.S. gal)

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.

[edit] Entry level

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).

[edit] Sporting versions

Two sporty versions vere offered. The 1.2 16 valve Sporting model with a 6-speed manual, and the hot 1.8 HGT which could reach almost 130 mph. The 1.2 16V model also has a CVT-equipped variant (with a sequential manual shift mode consisting of 6 gears, 7 for the Sporting model). The 1.8 HGT accelerates 0-60 in 8.2 seconds. While slower than its turbocharged 1.4 predecessor in a straight line, it was considered a big improvement in handling over the Mark 1 GT.

[edit] Power steering

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 1.8 petrol does 31.7 mpg - urban and 48.7 - extra urban.

[edit] Punto Mk2 specifications

Capacity 1242–1910 cc
Power 60 PS (59 hp/44 kW)-130 PS (128 hp/96 kW)
Max. speed 155 km/h (96 mph)-205 km/h (127 mph)
Acceleration 0–100 km/h: 15.0–8.2 seconds

[edit] Mark 2 (Facelift) 2003- 2005

Mark 2 (Facelift)
MK2b Punto
Production 2003 - 2005
Body style(s) 3/5-door hatchback
3-door van
Engine(s) 1.2 L I4
1.4 L 16v I4
1.3 L I4 diesel
1.8 L 16v I4
1.9 L I4 diesel
Transmission(s) 5-speed manual
6-speed semi-Auto
5-speed seq. manual (Dualogic)
Wheelbase 2460 mm (96.9 in)
Length 3800 mm (149.6 in)
Width 1660 mm (65.4 in)
Height 1480 mm (58.3 in)
Curb weight 860–1050 kg (1895–2314 lb)
Fuel capacity 47 L (10.3 Imp. gallons)
(12.4 U.S. gal)
Related Zastava 10

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 engines.

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.

[edit] Engines

Engine changes included 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.

[edit] Punto Classic

Despite the launch of the slightly larger Grande Punto in 2005, the 1999 Punto is still in production, and was launched for the first time in Chile in 2007, as Punto Classic. It is to be replaced by a new B segment model.

[edit] Zastava 10

Main article: Zastava 10

In October 2005, Serbian manufacturer Zastava reached an agreement with Fiat to make this version under licence with the model name Zastava 10.

[edit] Punto Mk2 Facelift specifications

Capacity 1242–1910 cc
Power 60 PS (59 hp/44 kW)-130 PS (128 hp/96 kW)
Max. speed 155 km/h (96 mph)-205 km/h (127 mph)
Acceleration 0–100 km/h: 14.3–8.6 seconds


[edit] Mark 3 'Grande Punto' (2005-Present)

Main article: Fiat Grande Punto

Fiat Grande Punto Front

Fiat Grande Punto Rear

The third Fiat car to be called Punto, codenamed Project 199 and marketed Grande Punto, it was unveiled at the 2005 Frankfurt Motor Show and went on sale later on that year. Again styled by Giugiaro,[2] the car is based on the Fiat/GM SCCS platform.

[edit] 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.

[edit] Punto in motorsport

Fiat Grande Punto Abarth
Fiat Grande Punto Abarth

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 games Colin McRae Rally 04, Colin McRae: DiRT and Sega Rally Revo.

[edit] Footnotes

  1. ^ Punto GT. puntopower.com. Retrieved on 2007-08-16.
  2. ^ 12.09.2005 Motor shows. italiaspeed.com/2005. Retrieved on 2007-08-05.

[edit] External links

v • d • e
« previous — Fiat Automobiles S.p.A. car timeline, European market, 1980s–present
Type 1980s 1990s 2000s
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
City car 126 Cinquecento Seicento
500
Panda I Panda II
Supermini 127 Uno Punto I Punto II
Grande Punto
Small
family car		 Ritmo Tipo Bravo / Brava Stilo Bravo II
131 Regata Tempra Marea Linea
Albea
Large family car 132 Argenta Croma I Croma II
Coupé Coupé
Roadster 124 Spider Barchetta Barchetta
Sports car X1/9
Panel van/Leisure activity vehicle Fiorino I Fiorino II Fiorino III
Doblò
Mini SUV Sedici
Mini MPV Idea
Compact MPV Multipla
Large MPV Ulysse I Ulysse II
Van Daily Scudo I Scudo II
Ducato I Ducato II Ducato III
Off-road Campagnola (1107)