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NEW GRANDE PUNTO IN UK
Fiat Auto’s attractive new supermini is the largest car in the highly competitive B segment, combining class-leading accommodation with high quality build, flexible and practical interiors, comprehensive equipment levels, state-of-the-art technology and the superior driving dynamics of larger, higher segment vehicles. As a result of top quality construction, research and development, Grande Punto, which has undergone a gruelling testing regime comprising more than 3,000,000 miles, also meets the highest safety standards. Benefiting from the company’s unrivalled expertise in the field of small cars, new Punto has been awarded a maximum 5-star safety rating in the gruelling Euro NCAP crash test programme. Achieving 5 stars for passenger safety, 3 stars for child protection and a further 3 for pedestrian protection, the new Fiat recorded a total of 33 points out of a possible 37 – the highest overall score yet recorded in its market category. Thirteen versions of the new Punto, priced from a remarkably competitive £7594 – £12,295 on-the-road, will be available from launch, embracing five trim levels – Active, Active Sport, Dynamic, Eleganza and Sporting. Augmenting an interior design founded on the fundamental pre-requisites of class-leading space, high quality build, and visual and tactile sophistication, the new Fiat’s equipment specification has been carefully considered to simplify and enhance life on board. Standard equipment on all versions includes ABS anti-lock braking, remote central locking, driver and passenger front airbags, electric front windows, a CD player, Dualdrive electric power steering and Follow Me Home headlamps. This comprehensive equipment package is boosted by a range of innovative, safety and comfort enhancing options more usually reserved for higher segment cars, such as dual-zone climate control, cruise control, rain and parking sensors, a SkyDome glass sunroof occupying almost the entire roof area, a multi-CD and MP3 player with subwoofer, and hands-free Bluetooth mobile phone connectivity. The all-new Punto has already picked up some notable international media awards, including The Golden Steering Wheel (Germany); Auto Europa (Italy), and Best City Car (France). It goes on sale in the UK, which has been its predecessor’s leading export market, with a choice of six powerplants, including the widest diesel engine range in its category: 1.2 litre, 65bhp and 1.4 litre, 77bhp versions of the renowned 8-valve Fire petrol engine, and four turbocharged examples of Fiat’s sophisticated direct injection MultiJet diesel engine technology: 120bhp and 130bhp variants of the widely acclaimed 1.9 litre 8-valve MultiJet, as well as 75bhp and 90bhp versions of the award winning 1.3 litre 16-valve unit – the world’s smallest and most advanced second generation common rail direct injection turbodiesel. Both petrol engines, together with the 75bhp, 1.3 litre MultiJet unit, are mated to 5-speed manual gearboxes; whilst the 90bhp, 1.3 litre turbodiesel as well as the 120bhp and 130bhp versions of the 1.9 litre MultiJet engine are equipped with 6-speed manual transmissions. Future additions to the engine range include a 95bhp 1.4 litre 16-valve petrol engine, which, along with the option of Dualogic – a sophisticated, clutchless, 5-speed sequential manual shift with a selectable, fully automatic mode – will be available later in the year. Further, more powerful engine options are in the ‘pipeline’. These developments will equip the all-new Punto with the widest, most comprehensive range of engines and transmissions available in B-segment today. With a 5-star Euro NCAP safety rating to its name, the new Punto builds on an already impressive safety portfolio with the full range of braking, traction control and stability systems available on the market today. Along with standard equipment ABS anti-lock brakes, complete with electronic brakeforce distribution, Grande Punto versions can be equipped with ASR to limit wheelspin during acceleration, MSR to modulate brake torque whilst changing down, and a sophisticated ESP to control stability through bends. Vehicles fitted with ESP also benefit from hydraulic brake assistance and a unique Hill Holder function to facilitate smooth hill starts. With 15,000 orders placed and 100,000 test-drives booked within just five days of the new Punto going on sale in Europe, Fiat expects to better initial global sales predictions of 360,000 cars per annum. Over 100,000 versions of the all-new Punto have been sold since its launch in late September last year. The current Punto continues in production, and a limited range will remain on sale in the UK throughout 2006. The original Punto was introduced in 1993 and immediately became a hugely successful product throughout Europe. By its second year in production, it had already been voted European Car of the Year, and became Europe’s best selling small car, ahead of the Ford Fiesta, Peugeot 206 and Renault Clio. In 1997, it was the best selling car in Europe, outright. Still in production today, there are currently more than 500,000 examples of the Punto active on Britain’s roads. So Grande Punto is one of the most important vehicles in Fiat’s 107 year history, because it is the latest in a long line of advanced, stylish small cars that has created and built Fiat’s legendary heritage. These advanced small cars started with the original Fiat 500, launched in 1936 as the world’s smallest mass production car and nicknamed Topolino, or Mickey Mouse. The price of the original Fiat 500 made it accessible to people who had hitherto never been able to afford one, and it did it with the style and panache of much larger, more expensive cars. In 1955 the Fiat 600 was launched, followed by a new 500 in 1957. Another classic small car, the 600 was also the basis for the Fiat 600 Multipla, launched in 1956. With its revolutionary six seat layout in a small car, it laid the foundations for the millions of people movers that followed more than 40 years later. These classic small cars, which provided real value for their customers, have been followed by generations of world-beating designs, such as the Fiat 127 in 1971, fore-runner of the modern front-wheel drive hatchback, the first and second generation Pandas, the Fiat Uno, and the first generations of the Fiat Punto, a car that has been purchased by more than six million people, and is still in production. The all-new Grande Punto, therefore, has a hefty reputation to maintain. So it’s not surprising that it sets safety and quality standards that are particularly high for its category. It boasts the widest range of diesel engines, has a very competitive price/content ratio, and offers conspicuous value to customers. As a result, Grande Punto meets the fundamental requirements of this class, and then it adds a new level of styling, along with a driving experience that befits a country that produces the world’s best sports cars, and does it all in a highly original way. Developed by Italdesign, together with the Fiat Styling Centre, Grande Punto stands out in the current automotive scene for its appearance, which is modern, elegant and distinctly Italian, with a Mediterranean stylistic ‘language’ inspired by the sports cars of the 1950s and 1960s. Like the exterior, the interior of Grande Punto represents the most evolved expression of Italian styling, thanks to the quality of the materials and the care that has gone into detailing. The result is a bright, welcoming, yet still functional environment. This is a car created to ‘excite’, but also to express the solidity that comes from high quality standards. This is borne out by extremely high safety standards; attention to detail that is unusual in this market bracket, and exceptional comfort. This impression is confirmed by the car’s external dimensions, which put it at the top of its category: it is 4030mm long, 1687mm wide, 1490mm high and has a wheelbase of 2510mm, measurements which translate into an extraordinary amount of interior space and comfort, and which are also significant in terms of the car’s crash safety performance. Grande Punto is clearly a car of superior quality: from the very first stages of the project, the team working on it pursued very high standards, drawing on a stringent engineering process, based on a very strong all-new platform, while it applied the most advanced, innovative reliability methodologies throughout the model’s development and construction. This is a car built to be solid and safe. And finally, Grande Punto is agile and enjoyable to drive in all situations, and its engines combine strong performance, low fuel consumption and respect for the environment. Styling, comfort, best-in-class safety standards, solidity and a highly competitive price: these are the guidelines along which Grande Punto was developed; a car created for young adults, for first-time car buyers, for women, and for young families. To meet the requirements of this broad customer base, Grande Punto offers vibrant Italian styling, a symbol of character and refinement, in three or five door form. The three door version is more assertive and dynamic, and will appeal above all to performance and style-driven owners, while the five door version strikes a balance between styling and comfort, performance and safety, access and its distinctive look. Both versions share a broad, comprehensive range with five UK trim levels, each capable of satisfying different customers who share the same youthful, dynamic spirit. DESIGN Styling Penned by the Fiat Styling Centre in conjunction with Giorgetto Giugiaro’s Italdesign studio, the new Punto marries smooth, naturally aerodynamic lines with pronounced, muscular wheel arches to create an elegant, unashamedly Italian sporting design which is instantly recognisable as the latest addition to the Fiat family. The front end of the new Punto combines dynamic styling worthy of a small GT with the highest standards of pedestrian protection. It incorporates sleek, powerful headlamps with a crisp, sporting grille design, an integral, colour-coded bumper and a deep front airdam complete with recessed foglight housings. In profile, the bonnet flows seamlessly into a steeply raked windscreen, the resultant aerodynamic efficiency awarding the new Fiat exceptional high-speed stability, a marked reduction in wind noise intrusion to the interior, and enhanced fuel economy. Aerodynamic, door-mounted mirrors not only further reduce interior wind noise levels, but also allow for the creation of a third, front quarterlight window beneath the A pillar, thus reinforcing the monobox homogeny of the design and improving visibility when cornering or during low speed manoeuvring. Unlike previous Punto models, the new Fiat’s design no longer differentiates between 3 and 5-door models. Both versions now share tall, upright tail-light clusters flanking a practical, top hinged tailgate which offers full-width access to the loadspace across a low-silled aperture. The new Punto’s broad, purposeful stance is further strengthened by an aerodynamic lower bumper, housing slender fog and reversing light clusters and, on the 3-door Active Sport and Sporting models, a roof mounted rear spoiler and side skirts. The new Punto also offers a range of 15''-17'' alloy wheels, and a choice of 13 exterior colours, nine of which are metallics. Life on board 4030mm long, 1687mm wide, 1490mm high and with a wheelbase of 2510mm, the new Punto is the largest car in its segment. The combination of a height adjustable driver’s seat, rake and reach adjustable steering wheel and generous glazing afford the driver a comfortable, ergonomically adaptable driving position allied to excellent all-round visibility. The driver''s instrument binnacle flows seamlessly from the upper fascia and features large, clear graphics, backlit in orange after dark. A central, multi-function display gives access to a wide range of menu options in a choice of eight languages. Careful consideration has gone into the ergonomic placement of gear lever, steering column mounted switchgear and all other centre console based functions, to ensure optimum ease of access with minimal driver distraction. The seats, produced in accordance with principles developed by Professor Dal Monte, head of the Biometrics Department at the CONI Sport Medicine Institute, offer exceptional comfort and support, devoting particular attention to passenger posture and lateral containment. The height adjustable, anti-submarining front seats can be fitted with electric lumbar adjustment for the driver. An optional, 60:40 split/folding rear seat (standard from Dynamic specification upwards) offers seating for three, or may be folded flat to increase the new Punto’s 275 litre loadspace. Both outer rear seats incorporate ISOFIX mountings for a child seat. The attraction of the new interior is boosted by a highly innovative range of colour combinations to the two tone dashboard, including the use of pearlised, light blue, sand and orange finishes. A complementary range of fabric upholstery to seats, door panels and centre armrest offers further bespoke tailoring opportunities within the new Fiat’s interior. SAFETY Reaffirming Fiat’s uncompromising commitment to occupant safety, the new Punto benefits from 15,000 hours of computer aided design, 60 crash tests, 100 HyGe slide simulations and 200 tests on components and subsystems, and has been awarded a maximum 5-star safety rating in the gruelling Euro NCAP crash test programme. Achieving 5 stars for passenger safety, 3 stars for child protection and a further 3 for pedestrian protection, the new Fiat recorded 33 points out of a possible 37 – the highest overall score yet recorded in the B segment – placing it at the very top of its category in terms of passive, active and preventive safety. It meets preventive safety needs with an adjustable cockpit that adapts perfectly to drivers of any size. The combination of a height adjustable driver’s seat, and reach and rake adjustable steering, allied to an extensive glazed area, allows the best possible view of the road ahead. User-friendly ergonomics allow drivers to operate all instruments and controls without taking their eyes off the road. And the new Punto’s excellent all-round visibility is further enhanced by the availability of optional rain and parking sensors. PASSIVE SAFETY Allied to a chassis designed to provide exceptional torsional stiffness (113,000 daNm/rad in 3-door guise) yet absorb impact with maximum efficiency, the all-new Punto may be fitted with up to seven airbags, whilst height adjustable front seatbelts with pretensioner, load limiter and fastened sensor, three-point rear seatbelts, anti-submarining front and rear seat design, ISOFIX child seat attachments to outer rear seats and an FPS Fire Prevention System are all fitted as standard. Airbags The new Punto may be equipped with no less than seven airbags; new, driver and passenger dual stage ‘Smart 2’ front airbags, side airbags, a driver’s knee airbag, as well as two side curtain airbags providing head protection in the case of side impacts. Their operation is governed by an electronic control unit that evaluates crash severity via a number of sensors located throughout the car. The front passenger airbag may be deactivated manually via the menu on the control panel. A dashboard warning light indicates this condition. Though the seatbelt pretensioner remains active, a rear facing baby seat can therefore be safely fitted. ISOFIX Attachments The new Punto is fitted with Isofix mountings to ensure the easy and safe installation of child seats. The attachments take the form of two pairs of brackets located at the base of the two outer rear seat squabs. The bracket sizes and settings are in accordance with European standards so that the seat can be re-used on any other vehicle. Fire Prevention System The FPS includes a cut-off valve and an inertia switch which immediately locks the electric petrol pump. This prevents fuel loss in the case of impact, roll-over or damage to the fuel lines. The fuel tank is formed in a plastic resistant to mechanical stress and fire. Special care has been taken over the location of key components within the engine bay, electrical system, fuel system and brakes to minimise the risk of damage by fault or accident. And the new Punto''s interior trim is also flame resistant. ACTIVE SAFETY The servo assisted braking system features two independent crossover hydraulic circuits to ensure prompt, linear braking and shorter stopping distances. Versions 1.3 litre 90bhp MultiJet version is equipped with larger 284mm x 22mm ventilated front discs and 228mm rear drums, whilst both 120bhp and 130bhp versions of the 1.9 litre MultiJet Punto employ 286mm x 22mm ventilated front discs, and 264mm x 11mm solid rear discs. The new Fiat Grande Punto offers the full range of braking, traction control and stability systems available on the market today: ABS anti-lock brakes, complete with electronic brakeforce distribution is an obvious example. ESP is fitted as standard to the 1.9 MultiJet 120 and 130 bhp versions and the 1.4 16v Sporting (available later this year). This system controls stability through bends, and also incorporates ASR to limit wheelspin during acceleration, MSR to modulate brake torque whilst changing down, hydraulic brake assistance, and a unique Hill Holder function to facilitate smooth hill starts. ABS An advanced ABS anti-lock braking system, featuring four active sensors, four channels and a hydraulic control unit with 12 solenoids, is fitted as standard across the entire new Punto range. The system is complemented by an Electronic Brakeforce Distributor (EBD) that governs the braking action on the rear axle to prevent the wheels locking and ensure full control of the car in all situations. The system also adapts its operation to wheel grip conditions and brake pad efficiency to reduce pad overheating and the brake servo thrust requirement. ASR and MSR The new Punto can also be equipped with a sophisticated Anti Slip Regulation system (ASR) to restrict wheelspin in cases of reduced grip. ASR traction control works at any speed, and prevents the driven wheels from slipping by adjusting torque according to available levels of adhesion. MSR (Motor Schleppmoment Regelung) cuts in when a gear is shifted down abruptly under conditions of low grip. The system restores torque to the engine to prevent a slide as a result of wheel lock-up. Both ASR and MSR are available when ESP is ordered as an option, along with Hydraulic Brake Assist. HBA On versions without ESP, emergency brake assistance takes the form of Emergency Valve Assistance (EVA); a mechanical system located inside the brake servo. On vehicles fitted with ESP, the function is carried out electronically by the ABS control unit and is known as Hydraulic Brake Assistance (HBA). Both systems carry out an identical function with equal efficiency. ESP The new Punto can also be equipped with a permanently engaged Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) which activates to help control the car when stability is at risk. Via sensors monitoring car body rotation, lateral acceleration and steering wheel input, the system assesses vehicle stability and the proximity of either an understeer or oversteer slide. The system restores stability by applying smoothly modulated braking to the appropriate wheel individually, and simultaneously reducing engine power. Engine power reduction is also carefully modulated to ensure a minimum performance loss and, hence, continued driver satisfaction. Hill Holder Fiat’s Hill Holder system helps drivers pull smoothly away from an upwards-facing hill start. Operating via the ESP longitudinal acceleration sensor when first gear is engaged and both clutch and brake pedals are pressed, the control unit maintains front calliper pressure for about 1.5 seconds after the brake pedal is released to eliminate the risk of rolling backwards and ensure a smooth pull away. Hill Holder does not operate when setting off downhill in first gear, but does so when reverse is engaged and the driver wishes to back uphill. MODEL RANGE AND EQUIPMENT The new Punto will be available here in 13 versions at launch 1.4 litre 16-valve versions of the 3-door Sporting and 5-door Eleganza will be added to the range later this year. EQUIPMENT The five specification levels include the following: Active: Electric front windows In addition to the Active specification, Active Sport adds: Leather steering wheel In addition to the Active specification, Dynamic adds: Air conditioning Automatic, dual-zone climate control In addition to the Dynamic specification, Sporting adds: Rear spoiler and sideskirts OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT The new Punto''s comprehensive equipment package is enhanced by a range of options more usually reserved for higher segment cars, such as dual-zone climate control, cruise control, rain and parking sensors, a multi-CD and MP3 player with subwoofer, and hands-free Bluetooth mobile phone connectivity. The new Punto also offers a rear cargo box, which raises the loadspace floor so that valuable items may be stored out of view, whilst simultaneously creating a totally flat floor throughout, when the rear seats are folded down. Dual-zone climate control The dual-zone system makes it possible for the driver and front seat passenger to select different ambient temperatures. The system has solar sensors that monitor solar gain within the two zones and adjust the temperature accordingly, and also operates a bi-level system whereby warmer air is directed to the floor vents and cooler air to the dashboard vents. Bluetooth connectivity New Punto may be equipped with Bluetooth hands-free mobile phone technology with voice recognition, to ensure maximum driving safety under all conditions. The system allows for the use of Bluetooth-compatible mobile phones anywhere on board, even when stowed in storage compartments, jackets or handbags. The Bluetooth hands-free system is fully integrated into the new Punto. It is accessed via a control panel display allied to control keys located on the steering wheel as well as the latest voice activation technology, which has no need to learn a user’s voice in advance. It will store details of and manage up to five mobile phones simultaneously, enabling more than one passenger to make use of the hands-free facility. The system automatically lowers the volume of the radio, and allows occupants to hear the caller through the stereo loudspeakers. An integral, echo-cancellation system maintains sound quality without any deterioration in timbre, thus preventing unpleasant, metallic tones. Moreover, the Bluetooth system is operable not only in the presence of a radio, but also when only the wiring is installed, hence retaining radio unit choice for the customer. Sky Dome sunroof The Sky Dome, a large, crystal-glass sunroof, occupies almost the entire roof area of the new Punto. It consists of two glazed panels, the rear fixed and the front mobile, two sunblinds that may be independently retracted towards the rear of the car, and an integral, wind-tunnel designed front deflector. Via a button adjacent to the central courtesy light, the retractable glass panel becomes a raised spoiler in the first position, thereafter sliding on aluminium guides to the fully opened position. Releasing the control button stops the movement at any required position. Both glass front panel and sunblind may be fully opened in just 7 seconds. The Sky Dome also comes with an anti-obstruction system that reverses the motion of the glass panel when it encounters an obstruction. Follow Me Home headlights This is a practical, safety conscious innovation designed to light the interior of a garage or the path to a front door after the car has been locked. Follow Me Home operates the dipped beams and sidelights of the new Punto, and is activated by operation of the light flasher stalk within 2 minutes of turning off the engine. Each time the stalk is operated, light activation is extended by 30 seconds, up to a maximum of three-and-a-half minutes. Parking sensors The parking sensor, which is activated whenever the ignition is switched on and reverse gear engaged, consists of four ultrasound sensors installed in the rear bumper and linked to an electronic control unit and a buzzer. The four detectors cover the rear corners of the new Punto from a distance of less than 60cm, and the area immediately behind the car from a distance of less than 150cm. ENGINES AND TRANSMISSIONS The new Punto goes on sale in the UK with a choice of six powerplants: 1.2 litre (65bhp) and 1.4 litre (77bhp) versions of the renowned 8-valve Fire petrol engine, and four examples of Fiat’s sophisticated MultiJet common rail direct injection turbodiesel technology: 75bhp and 90bhp versions of the award-winning 1.3 litre 16-valve unit, as well as 120bhp and 130bhp examples of the widely acclaimed 1.9 litre 8-valve MultiJet. Both petrol engines and the 75bhp, 1.3 litre MultiJet unit are mated to 5-speed manual gearboxes, whilst the 90bhp, 1.3 litre turbodiesel as well as the 120bhp and 130bhp versions of the 1.9 litre MultiJet are equipped with 6-speed manual transmissions. Future additions to the engine range include a 95bhp 1.4 litre 16-valve petrol engine. Further, more powerful petrol engine options are in the ‘pipeline’, as well as Dualogic – a sophisticated, clutchless, 5-speed sequential manual shift with a selectable, fully automatic mode. These developments will equip the new Punto with the widest, most comprehensive range of engines and transmissions available in B-segment today. Diesel engines 1.3 16v 75bhp MultiJet * 1248cc out of town: 70.6mpg combined: 60.1mpg 1.3 16v 90bhp MultiJet * 1248cc out of town: 72.4mpg combined: 61.4mpg Fiat’s 1.3 litre MultiJet engine is the smallest and most advanced second generation Common Rail direct injection turbodiesel in the world. The 1.3 litre 16-valve MultiJet is a 1248cc, 4-cylinder in-line unit with a bore of 69.6mm and stroke of 82mm. Both new, 75bhp and 90bhp versions feature twin overhead camshafts, a chain driven timing system, hydraulic tappets, a cast iron crankcase with a aluminium base, steel crankshaft and connecting rods, and an aluminium cylinder head. The latter is equipped with highly efficient directional intake ports to ensure an optimum fuel mix despite the small bore. The two new engines feature modified combustion systems, increasing the efficiency of the inlet and exhaust manifolds, reducing turbulence in the combustion chamber and altering the compression ratio from 18:1 to 17.6:1. They possess an electronically controlled exhaust gas recirculation system and exhaust gas cooling, and both are boosted by a turbocharger with wastegate and intercooler. The 90bhp unit is also equipped with a variable geometry turbocharger, boosting maximum power output by 15bhp at 4000rpm, and peak torque by 7lb.ft. from 140 to 147lb.ft at just 1750rpm. The 1.3 litre MultiJet engine offers two highly innovative features: extremely compact dimensions (460mm long, 500mm wide and 650mm high) that enable it to be installed in B-segment and even A-segment city cars, and the sophisticated MultiJet technology of second generation JTDs. The latter is the result of groundbreaking development work at the Fiat Research Centre, itself responsible for the introduction of the world''s first Unijet Common Rail turbodiesel engine in 1997. Within a Unijet engine, a pilot injection raises temperature and pressure inside the cylinder to improve combustion at the time of the main stroke. However, by dividing the main injection into a number of smaller injections, a MultiJet engine affords a fuller, more gradual combustion, whilst the amount of diesel burnt at each stroke remains the same, thus promoting smoother, quieter combustion, reduced emissions and increased performance. A MultiJet engine differs from its Unijet counterpart in two essential areas; the injectors and the electronic control unit. To facilitate multi-injection, the new injectors can both reduce the time lag between injections from 1500 to just 150 microseconds, and reduce the minimum quantity of fuel injected from 2 to less than 1 cu mm. In tandem, the new control unit modulates injection strategy continually to adjust to changes within three parameters: engine rpm, torque required at any given time by the driver, and coolant temperatures. Thus, when coolant temperature is less than 60 degrees and torque requirement low, two small and one large injection are performed. As torque demand increases, the number of injections drops to two; one small and one large. Under conditions of high rpm and high torque demand, only one injection is required whilst, with coolant temperature at over 60 degrees, emissions are minimised with one small, one large, then one small injection in the sequence. Start-up times and exhaust smoke are significantly reduced; noise levels and vibration are lowered to ensure a quieter drive and improved passenger comfort; fuel consumption is reduced by a further 10% and emission control reduction, via a close coupled catalytic converter, amounts to 50%; enough to bring the unit within the strict EURO 4 emissions limits without the need for sophisticated exhaust treatment systems. A ‘for life’ particulate trap (DPF) that needs no regenerative additives is, nonetheless, fitted to both versions of the new Punto’s 1.3 MultiJet powerplants. Not only does this make the new Punto a particularly environmentally friendly vehicle, it also has important company car tax implications. At present in the UK, all non-Euro 4 diesel cars are subject to a 3% company car tax loading. The new Punto’s 1.3 16v MultiJet units will be exempt from this burden, thus further enhancing its appeal among company car drivers/user choosers. Moreover, despite their ultra-compact dimensions and technical sophistication, the new engines offer long service and minimal mechanical maintenance, whilst low viscosity oil change intervals have been increased to 18,000 miles. 1.9 120bhp MultiJet * 1910cc out of town: 62.8mpg combined: 50.4mpg 1.9 130bhp MultiJet * 1910cc * Power: 130bhp @ 4000rpm out of town: 60.1mpg combined: 48.7mpg Both 120bhp and 130bhp 8-valve versions of Fiat’s widely acclaimed 1.9 litre MultiJet turbodiesel have undergone significant changes to increase performance and bottom end torque, whilst further reducing noise levels and vibration. The common rail system includes two new control strategies for automatically calibrating and balancing the diesel injection, to both lower noise and reduce vibration. Both engines are equipped with electronically controlled, variable geometry Garrett VGT 17 turbochargers for improved power delivery and the generation of high torque at low engine speeds; both units deliver 90% of peak torque between 1750rpm and 3250rpm. With a bore of 82mm and stroke of 90.4mm, both 120bhp and 130bhp 1.9 litre MultiJet units boast an impressive 206lb.ft of torque delivered at just 2000rpm, allowing acceleration from 0-62mph in just 10.0 and 9.5 seconds respectively, whilst returning a fuel consumption of approximately 50mpg in the combined cycle and readily conforming to EURO 4 emissions limits. Petrol Engines 1.2 8v Fire * 1242cc * Top speed: 96mph out of town: 55.4mpg combined: 46.3mpg This proven 1242cc unit, with a bore of 70.8mm and stroke of 78.9mm, has been tailored to the new Punto with a number of refinements to further improve fuel economy without affecting its spirited performance. The engine is now fitted with a sophisticated, Marelli I.A.W. phased sequential multipoint injection, and uses a ‘drive-by-wire’ throttle system for improved torque delivery. New inlet and exhaust manifolds, a new combustion chamber with a higher, 11:1 compression ratio, and revised camshaft profiles optimise efficiency, and a new active knock sensor manages ignition advance effectively under all conditions. Lighter componentry has also improved fuel consumption. In particular, a new glass fibre reinforced polymer intake manifold has been developed with U-shaped branches and a built-in plenum. A new auxiliary drive circuit, featuring integral mountings in aluminium squeeze castings, and an automatic low torque tensioner, has also been developed for improved reliability. Quality of life on board has been improved through a special engine installation system which minimises the transfer of engine vibrations to the body; a barycentric power unit mounting system consisting of two blocks plus a reaction rod that acts as a link. The new mounts are aligned along an axis that passes through the engine''s centre of gravity to obtain reaction forces with zero offset. Additionally, the EURO 4 emissions-compliant unit’s catalytic converter is welded to the side of the exhaust manifold within the engine bay, allowing it to reach high temperatures more rapidly, thus reducing emissions before the engine is at optimum running temperature. 1.4 8v Fire * 1368cc out of town: 54.3mpg combined: 46.3mpg Developed for the new Punto to optimise a balance of performance and fuel efficiency, this revised 1368cc Fire unit has a bore of 72mm and stroke of 84mm. It now employs a ‘drive-by-wire’ throttle system, a higher, 11:1 compression ratio, lighter timing components, low friction valve springs and a redesigned flywheel that reduces the transmission of engine vibrations to the bodyshell. The 1.4 litre Fire unit further benefits from a new, high turbulence combustion chamber. This, allied to continuously variable valve timing, allows a significant part – some 25% – of the exhaust gases to be recirculated within the combustion chamber, offering marked reductions in both fuel consumption and exhaust emissions. As with the 1.2 litre unit, the new, EURO 4 compliant, 1.4 litre Fire engine also features a catalytic converter welded directly to the side of the exhaust manifold to reduce cold-start emissions. Transmissions Though they differ in terms of the maximum torque values they can handle, all four manual gearboxes in the new Punto range share a new, dual cable external control that filters engine vibrations transmitted to the gear lever. Gear ratios are ‘tall’, to ensure good fuel economy, whilst the clutch is hydraulic to promote ease of use, efficiency and low running noise. On MultiJet versions of the new Punto, the system automatically compensates for clutch plate wear, ensuring a constant clutch pedal loading throughout vehicle life. The C514 5-speed manual gearbox mated to 1.2 and 1.4 litre petrol engined versions has been uprated to a 15kgm torque rating, and benefits from modifications to the gears, synchronisers, lubrication, internal gear control and clutch control to promote quieter operation, light, precise gear lever movement even when cold, weight savings, and exceptional reliability. 1.3 litre 75bhp MultiJet versions of the new Fiat feature the 21kgm, C150 5-speed transmission, which has also been optimised through numerous improvements, including dynamic lubrication, wherein the oil is channelled through bore holes in both housing and shafts. The range is completed by two 6-speed gearboxes: the M20 mated to the 1.3 litre 90bhp MultiJet engine; and the M23 to the 1.9 litre 120bhp and 130bhp MultiJet powerplants. Belonging to a new family of three-axis transmissions, the new gearboxes offer a more compact installation, and combine torque transmission thresholds – 170 and 236lb.ft respectively – appropriate to high performance diesel engines with ease of use, accuracy and exceptional quietness. RIDE AND HANDLING The new Fiat employs the proven combination of independent MacPherson strut front suspension, and a lightweight torsion beam axle at the rear, to promote outstanding handling precision and maximum ease of driving, allied to optimum road holding and the highest possible comfort standards for driver and passengers. The new Grande Punto features a wider track than its predecessor – an increase of 70mm at the front and 75mm at the rear – and a longer, 2510mm wheelbase, to maximise agility and promote outstanding stability under all conditions. Numerous revisions to both front and rear suspension systems have been designed to minimise the transmission of noise and vibrations, whilst further enhancing ride comfort. Front suspension The new Punto’s front suspension is an independent, MacPherson strut system, which delivers high levels of ride comfort and driving safety, along with exceptional grip and minimal roll. Key elements to the revised set-up comprise: Right-angled lower link geometry, which separates braking and cornering loads for optimum balance under all conditions. At the rear, the new Punto employs a lightweight, torsion beam axle configuration. To maximise ride comfort, driveability and handling performance, it benefits from the following features: Widened, optimised bodyshell attachments combining lower weight with increased structural rigidity. Good anti-roll performance without the need for a separate anti-roll bar. All new Punto versions are equipped with this innovative, speed-sensitive power steering system, which comes with two operating modes and uses an electric motor, rather than a hydraulic pump driven by the engine, which results in a considerable reduction in fuel consumption. The system offers a choice of two settings: the first ensures maximum feedback and driver involvement, the second lightens the steering to minimise effort, and is therefore ideal for urban driving and low speed manoeuvring. Pressing the ''City'' button on the fascia activates the latter mode. But, to ensure maximum safety under all driving conditions, both settings offer identical power assistance over 19mph, thus ensuring a steering wheel response appropriate to high speed driving. The turning circle of the new Punto is 10.6 metres.
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