Fiat Punto
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| Manufacturer | Fiat |
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| Production | 1993–present |
| Predecessor | Fiat Uno |
| Successor | Fiat Grande Punto |
| Class | Supermini |
| Body style(s) | 3/5-door hatchback 3-door convertible (1994–99) 3-door van |
The Fiat Punto is a supermini produced by the Italian manufacturer, Fiat, since 1993.
Contents |
1st generation (Type 176) (1993-1999)
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| Production | 1993–1999 |
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| Predecessor | Fiat Uno |
| Body style(s) | 3/5-door hatchback 3-door convertible 3-door van |
| 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 manual CVT |
| Wheelbase | 2,450 mm (96 in) |
| Length | 3,760 mm (148 in) |
| Width | 1,625 mm (64.0 in) |
| Height | 1,450 mm (57 in) |
| Curb weight | 830–1040 kg (1829–2292 lb) 1070 kg (2358 lb) cabrio |
| Related | Fiat Barchetta Fiat Albea Fiat Doblò Fiat Palio Fiat Siena Fiat Strada Lancia Y |
| Designer | Giorgetto Giugiaro |
Internally codenamed Project 176, the Punto was announced in September 1993 and launched in early 1994 as a replacement for the ageing 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.
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 litres, available in 3 versions. The first, was fitted in the Punto ELX 75 and produced 75 hp (56 kW) at 6000 rpm while the second, fitted to Punto ELX 85 produced 86 hp (64 kW) at 6000 rpm. The third was a 60 hp (45 kW) engine which eventually replaced the 1.1 54 hp engine.
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 (100 kW; 134 hp) 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 (120 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 (100 kW; 134 hp) (1993–1995),133 PS (98 kW; 131 hp) (1995–1997) and 130 PS (96 kW; 130 hp) (1997–1999).[1]
Convertible
A cabriolet (convertible) version was also available; built by Bertone (rather than at the main Fiat factory), it featured an electric powered fully-retracting roof and was one of the cheapest open-top cars in the world at the time. Available in both ELX and SX trim, initially powered by the 90Bhp 1.6 Mpi unit (replaced in 1997 by the 86Bhp 1.2 16v FIRE unit). 55,000 cars were built between 1994–1999
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 with a CVT-type automatic gearbox, and the Punto ED (Economical Drive), a 1.1 Punto whose 5-speed gearbox was designed for high fuel efficiency.
2nd generation (Type 188) (1999-2003)
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| Production | 1999–2003 |
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| 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 | 2,460 mm (97 in) |
| Length | 3,800 mm (150 in) |
| Width | 1,660 mm (65 in) |
| Height | 1,480 mm (58 in) |
| Curb weight | 860–1050 kg (1895–2314 lb) |
| Related | Fiat Barchetta Fiat Idea Lancia Ypsilon Lancia Musa Zastava 10 |
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.
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 (60 kW) respectively) or a 1.9 diesel (with or without common-rail injection)
Sporting versions
Two sporty versions were 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 (210 km/h). 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 8.0 seconds. It was considered a big improvement in handling over the Mark 1 GT. The HGT was also available (in limited numbers) as an "HGT Abarth" which added deeper bumpers, rear spoiler, side skirts, new alloy wheels and interior trim. The HGT Abarth had no technical improvements over the regular HGT.
Power steering
The second generation 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-imp (8.91 L/100 km; 26.4 mpg-US) - urban and 58.4 mpg-imp (4.84 L/100 km; 48.6 mpg-US) - extra urban for the 1.7 diesel. The 1.8 petrol does 31.7 mpg-imp (8.91 L/100 km; 26.4 mpg-US) - urban and 48.7 mpg-imp (5.80 L/100 km; 40.6 mpg-US) - extra urban.
Specifications
| Capacity | 1242–1910 cc |
| Power | 60 PS (44 kW; 59 hp)-130 PS (96 kW; 130 hp) |
| Max. speed | 155 km/h (96 mph)-205 km/h (127 mph) |
| Acceleration | 0–100 km/h: 15.0–8.0 seconds |
2nd generation facelift (2003-present)
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| Also called | Fiat Punto Classic Zastava 10 |
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| Production | 2003-present |
| Body style(s) | 3/5-door hatchback 3-door van |
| Engine(s) | 1.2 L 8v (103.2 g/km CO2 emissions[2]) I4 1.2 L 16v 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 | 2,460 mm (97 in) |
| Length | 3,800 mm (150 in) |
| Width | 1,660 mm (65 in) |
| Height | 1,480 mm (58 in) |
| Curb weight | 860–1050 kg (1895–2314 lb) |
In early 2003, Fiat celebrated the rollout of the 5,000,000th production Punto. In the same year, the second generation 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 second generation models, was introduced on the tailgate of the second generation 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.
Fiat Punto is now being produced in Italy and Serbia.
Engines
Engine changes included a new 1.4 16v engine, alongside the staple 1.2 & 1.2 16v variants, 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 (210 km/h) continued over from the Mark 2. There was an introduction also of the 1.3 L common rail diesel MultiJet engine.
2nd generation facelift specifications
| Capacity | 1242–1910 cc |
| Power | 60 PS (44 kW; 59 hp)-130 PS (96 kW; 130 hp) |
| Max. speed | 155 km/h (96 mph)-205 km/h (127 mph) |
| Acceleration | 0–100 km/h: 14.3–8.0 seconds |
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.
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.
After acquiring Zastava in autumn 2008, Fiat continued production of this vehicle under the brandname Fiat Punto Classic in March, 2009.
Grande Punto (2005-present)
The fully new Grande Punto codenamed Project 199, was unveiled at the 2005 Frankfurt Motor Show and went on sale later on that year. Again styled by Giugiaro,[3] the car is using the Fiat/GM SCCS platform.
Punto Evo (2009-present)
Facelifted Grande Punto got new name as Punto Evo and went on sale in 2009.
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 commercial model.
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 (210 kW).
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.
Footnotes
- ↑ "Punto GT". puntopower.com. http://www.puntopower.com/gt.html. Retrieved 2007-08-16.
- ↑ Kai Petersen (2009-12-08). "cars-of-europe.com | Fiat Punto 1.2 8V Natural Power | Technical Specifications". 209.85.229.132. http://209.85.229.132/search?q=cache:cdRxK83Ly8cJ:www.cars-of-europe.com/fiat/fiat_punto_12_8v_natural_power_ktb384.shtml+fiat+punto+active+1.2+8v+g/km&cd=12&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=uk. Retrieved 2009-12-15.
- ↑ "12.09.2005 Motor shows". italiaspeed.com/2005. http://www.italiaspeed.com/2005/motor_show/frankfurt/review/fiat/grande_punto/1209.html. Retrieved 2007-08-05.
External links
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