FIAT GRANDE PUNTO

After the launch of this car in other countries, this car has been really successful, especially in Europe, thats why I like to call it "The Water for Fiat". Fiat understood that they had to offer a car which goes easy on the people. A car with style, safety features, performance and engines of Petrol and Diesel, and more from what they expect, and all this at a competitive price. They have done it. They will be making this car in its new Ranjangaon plant near Pune.

Engines, Power and Transmission

A big loss for Maruti, because the engines that the Swift offer for the Diesel version is the same that the Grande Punto has. So this will be a huge advantage for Fiat as they will be having the same engine from a popular car that offer better interiors with more space and more sportier styling. This engine was developed with the help of 3 companies - Fiat, Suzuki and GM, as TATA is an alliance of Fiat, this engine will also be put on the next generation Indica. Oh, yes this engine will also be used in the future GM cars.

There are 3 engines that fiat offers in different markets, that is a 1.2 FIRE 8V and 1.4 FIRE 8V Petrol that will produce 65Bhp and 77Bhp respectively, but there might be a possibility of them both coming. And then coming to the Diesel engines, a 1.3L and 1.9L Diesel engines are there, but the 1.9L is almost impossible of coming to India. If they bring it, a hatch of 120Bhp will be crazy. The 1.3 Multi jet 16V produces a 75Bhp and the 1.3 Multi jet Variable Geometry turbine produces 90Bhp. Its is said that which engine you use, the FE will be satisfying, and thats something weird and different from Fiat. The Fiat Grande Punto comes in a 5-speed manual Transmission. A carefully developed manual gear box not only gives you comfort and better torque at low speeds but also makes the gearbox more reliable. Fiat claims the mileage as 22.3kpl for 90bhp and 21.2kpl for 75bhp engine.

Exteriors and Safety Features

The Fiat Grande Punto is a beauty, and made from the Italian drawing boards of the famous Giorgetto Giugiaro of Italdesign. For us looking at the Siena and Uno, the Punto looks a generation ahead in design. The car might enter with Fiats new Red Logo followed by the New Fiat Linea. The swift has got competition in looks, the Swift was the only car in the segment that boasts the name "sporty", and now the Punto will be standing in front of the Swift. The headlights are pure inspiration of the Maserati along with the grille, fog lamps and body coloured side view mirrors with some plastic coverings, and a tail-lamp that is next to the window.The Fiat Grande Punto has an amazing result in the Euro NCAP tests a five-star overall score, which also got a 3-star pedestrian protection, and also comes with driver and passenger airbags and an engine immobilizer, its also equipped with ABS and electronic brake-force distribution (EBD)and also the usual seatbelt pretentioners. One thing that separates this car is the FPS, i.e the Fire Prevention System, that blocks the flow of fuel after a collision.

Interiors and Comfort

The Fiat Grande Punto is beautiful inside and out, the passenger will be inserted with comfort and high quality materials. The Swift will be scared of its interiors and the extra fitting that the Fiat has, and will definitely give a smile to the getz on interiors space. the dashboard top is shaped like a small step and the console with silver and an arm rest to comfort the driver. The cars interiors are available in serious black and colourful beige, but only one will be coming here, and still looks like the best in class. The driving seat shows equality to all, by helping them giving their best driving spot by height and steering adjusting.The Suspension region features a McPherson independent wheel in the front and an inter-connected, semi-independent at the rear. Servo-assisted hydraulic at the rear and ventilated disc brakes in the front. Audio controls are in the steering wheel and this will be the first in the category if they bring it. And do help yourself in a boot space of 275 litres with 60:40 split.

Safety and special features in international punto:
Brakes are ventilated discs in front with drums at rear; equipped with ABS and electronic brake-force distribution (EBD) on the higher version. Further safety features include brake pedals that will break on impact, while the front seatbelts have pretensioners, load limiters and a fastened sensor. Another important safety feature is the passenger cannot get away with not fastening his belt — an insistent beep will sound until the seatbelt is fastened. I wish this feature must be offered in India as well. You can monitor your driver there is also a boy beep which you can preset it to a certain speed and if driver exceeds that speed, it beeps at you. Punto has been given maximum rating for passenger safety in Euro NCAP (European agency for safety testing). Fiat provides an extensive list for special features; armrest with storage bin, electric power steering (with a city mode, making the steering lighter for easier parking),air conditioning that can be varied for individual passengers,60:40 rear split seats, electric front windows (one touch up and down on driver’s side) and they work without the ignition switched on. On board computer for fuel range, current and average consumption, etc. These features are excellent but all depends on the price of the Indian version.