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Fiat Grande Punto
Fiat
aka Fiat Punto
Grande Punto
Production 2005 - present
Class Family Hatchback
Body Style 3-door hatchback
5-door hatchback
Length 4030 mm
Width 1687 mm
Height 1400 mm
Wheelbase 2510 mm
Weight 1015-1205 kg
Transmission Five-speed Semi-Automatic
Five-speed Manual
Six-speed Manual
Engine 1,242 cc four-cylinder petrol
1,368 cc four-cylinder petrol
1,248 cc MultiJet diesel
1,910 cc MultiJet diesel
Power 1.2 - 65bhp
1.4 - 77bhp
1.3 MultiJet - 75-90bhp
1.9 MultiJet - 130bhp
Similar Ford Fiesta
Peugeot 207
Designer Giugiaro

The Fiat Grande Punto is a supermini car produced by the Italian manufacturer Fiat from 2005 to 2018. It is the third generation in the series of the Fiat Punto, and was announced in August 2005, and launched at the Frankfurt Motor Show.

In 2009, the Grande Punto became an entry level model sold alongside the facelifted, higher spec Punto Evo. In 2012, both were replaced by a revised model, called simply Punto, thus resurrecting the model name of its predecessor.[7] It was manufactured in Italy, in Brazil (from 2007) and in India (from 2008)


Recent Changes[]

  • For 2010, the Grande Punto lineup gets a comprehensive facelift and a name change: Punto Evo. The facelift consists of new front and rear bumpers, updated interior with new dash, improved seats, enlarged storage compartments and better instrumentation. The Punto Evo also features a new "Blue&Me-TomTom" infotainment system that combines telephone, navigation and information functions on a color touch-screen. The Punto Evo is slated to be unveiled at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show. [1]
  • From 2009, the Grande Punto will be made available with a natural gas option dubbed the Grande Punto Natural Power. The methane-powered car is motivated by Fiat's dual fuel 1.4 litre 8 valve Fire Inline-4 engine capable of a 310 km (195 miles) range. Prices will start at €12,300. At the current price of Natural Gas in Italy, Fiat says the car will cost as little as €3.8/100 km to run. [2]
  • In 2006, the critically acclaimed MultiJet diesel engine range was added to the Grande Punto, in 75hp, 90hp and 130hp forms. This allows a MultiJet to be available with each trim level. Also in 2006, a UK-market specific edition was released, named the Active White. This is intended to be a cheaper and more basic version of the Active, aimed at those living in the city looking for a cheap runabout.
  • Since its release in 2005, very few changes have been made to the Grande Punto. The car, available in three-door and five-door variants, is sold with three different trim levels - the Active, Dynamic and Sporting. The specification and colour charts are almost identical to when the vehicle was released, however at the 2007 Geneva Motorshow, Fiat unveiled an Abarth version of the Punto, which hints at expansion of the model range in the near future.

Styles and Major Options[]

The Grande Punto range, like other Fiat models, is systematic, with three distinct clear-cut models, and each successive model adding onto the previous. Apart from trim level, Grande Punto buyers can also choose whether their car will be three- or five-door, with the five-door edition being typically £700-1000 more expensive than the three-door. Transmission options are a five-speed semi-automatic, five-speed manual and a six-speed manual.

The Active[]

The Active is the base of the Grande Punto range. Sold with only the 1.2 petrol and 1.3 75hp MultiJet, and featuring basic equipment as standard. This includes a radio/CD player, colour-coordinated bumpers, electric windows, remote locking and driver and passenger airbags. Wheel options are 15-inch pressed steel, with pastic trims.

The Active White edition omits the electric windows, and is available in only white. The engine choice is limited to only the 1.2, but this allows it to be a whole £600 cheaper than the Active.

The Active Sport adds deeper bumpers and side skirts, along with 15-inch alloy wheels. A CD/MP3 player is also included, and engine option is limited to a 1.4 petrol.

The Dynamic[]

The Dynamic builds upon the specification of the Active, but adds more colour and engine options to the range. The Dynamic can be specified with a 1.2 petrol, 1.4 petrol, or the 1.3 MultiJet 90hp.

Alloy wheels are standard, as is air conditioning, electric windows and mirrors, and in some markets the SkyDome full-length sunroof is offered. Also, in addition to the driver and passenger airbags of the Active, the Dynamic adds side and roof airbags - and is one of the only cars in this class to do so.

The Sporting[]

The crown of the range until the Abarth version arrives. Again, building on the Dynamic, this car is fully loaded, and is given only the best engines and colours. As such, the Sporting can be specified with the 1.9 MultiJet 130hp and the 1.4 petrol.

The expansive specification includes 17 inch alloy wheels, Bluetooth communication, Radio/CD/MP3 player, bodykit, Dual Zone automatic climate control, ESP stability programme and electric sports seats, amongst others.

Pricing[]

Grande Punto Trims

Active White

Active

Active Sport

Dynamic

Sporting

MSRP

£7485

£8004

£8910

£8910-10600

£10710-12300

Gas Mileage[]

Engine

1.2 Petrol

1.3 MultiJet 75

1.3 MultiJet 90

1.4 Petrol

1.9 MultiJet 130

MPG

47.9 mpg

60.1 mpg

60.1 mpg

47.9 mpg

48.7 mpg

Reliability[]

By all accounts, the Fiat Grande Punto is a tremendously reliable car in all variants - as expected of a car released in 2005. The Grande Punto has featured highly in numerous European customer satisfaction surveys.

Every Grande Punto sold is supplied with a three year/30,000 miles (depending on which comes first) manufaturers warranty, as well as a 10 year anti-corrosion guarantee.

Safety[]

The EuroNCAP, the European car safety body, have given the Grande Punto a maximum five-star rating in their rigorous crash-testing schedule. The five star rating breaks down into the following scores:

  • Front Impact - 14 points, 88%.
  • Side Impact - 18 points, 100%
  • Child Occupant Protection - 35 points, 71%, three out of five stars.
  • Pedestrian Rating - 19 points, 53%, three out of four stars.
  • Overall - Five Star safety rating.

Photos[]

Grande Punto[]

Grande Punto Abarth[]

Grande Punto Abarth SS 180HP[3][]

Abarth Punto EVO[]

Colors[]

Exterior Colors
Metallic Colors Pastel Colors Solid Colors
Psychedelic Azure   Exotica Red   Ambient White  
Jungle Grey   Caribbean Orange   Rock'n'Roll Blue  
Chemical Grey  
Merengue Orange  
New Orleans Blue  
Crossover Black  


Main Competitors[]

The Grande Punto is in the immensely crowded Family Hatchback sector, which is the biggest selling sector in almost every European country. The Grande Punto locks horns with the European Ford Focus and Honda Civic, along with the Peugeot 207.

However, due to its ultra-competitive pricing, the pound-for-pound competition comes from the class below - smaller cars like the Toyota Yaris and Renault Clio.

The hotly anticipated Abarth version should be ideal competition for the Mini Cooper S, SEAT Leon FR, Renault Clio RenaultSport 197 and Honda Civic Type R.

Hybrid Models[]

Fiat will not be producing or developing an electric-petrol hybrid Grande Punto, but instead will focus its efforts on renewable BioFuel compatibility. We may even see an ultra-enonomical version, similar to the Panda MultiEco, with enhanced aerodynamics, reduced weight and cleaner powerplant.

Unique Attributes[]

The Fiat Grande Punto is unique amongst its Fiat siblings in that it's the first Fiat model to be sold in Australia for twenty years. The Grande Punto went on sale in 2006, and has since been crowned 'The Most Economical Car in Australia'. Fiat hopes to sell the rest of the range there soon.

The Grande Punto is the only car in its class to be styled by a prestigious design house like Giugiaro.

Interior[]

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Resale Values[]

Resale values for the Grande Punto are average for class, with a three year old example retaining around 40-47% of its original value.

The Abarth example, if released, could boost this figure depending on the price on release and press reaction.

Criticisms[]

  • BBC Top Gear Magazine: 'It may well look like a mini-Maserati, but quality is lacking.'
  • Jeremy Clarkson: 'It may be the biggest car in its class, but that means it's the heaviest. Therefore, 0-60mph takes an ice age.'
  • Parkers - 'The hard plastics aren't that nice to touch.'

Worldwide[]

The Grande Punto is sold throughout Europe and Australia under the same name. Fiat develops an estate version of the car for emerging markets in countries such as China and India, which will be more rugged and cheaper than the standard car.

Design quirks and oddities[]

Facelifts And Variants[]

Grande Punto (2005–2012)[]

The third generation Fiat to bear the name Punto, codenamed Project 199, the Grande Punto was unveiled at the 2005 Frankfurt Motor Show and went on sale later that year. Styled by Giugiaro, the car is based on the GM Fiat Small platform.

Whilst the model shares some of its name with the previous Punto, a large number of its components are new, including a new chassis and body shell.

The engines are the Fiat 1.2 8v Fire (65 PS), a new 1.4 8v Fire (77 PS) and the 1.4 16v StarJet (95 PS). Four MultiJet diesel engines are also available: two 1.3 16v units (75 PS (55 kW) and 90 PS (66 kW), the latter with a variable geometry turbocharger) and two 1.9 with 120 PS (88 kW) and 130 PS (96 kW), all of them with diesel particulate filter. The 1.9 diesel was replaced with the new 1.6 MultiJet starting the end of 2008.

All the engines are Euro IV compliant. In 2007, a new 1.4 16v T-Jet turbocharged petrol engine, 120 PS (88 kW), became available. At the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show, Fiat introduced 155 PS (114 kW) an Abarth version by Abarth & C S.p.A. It was branded as an Abarth rather than Fiat.[9]

The car's nose, headlights and front grill look reminiscent of the Maserati Coupé (both were designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro of Italdesign).

Other markets[]

In Australia, Fiat introduced the Grande Punto in July 2006, sold only as the Punto; it was the first Fiat to be sold in Australia since 1989. In 2009, the Punto was discontinued in Australia, due to slow sales. The car was reintroduced in 2013 after Fiat began factory distribution in Australia, the car was repriced at a much lower price, that was more in keeping with its rivals. In September 2015, the Punto was once again pulled from the Australian market due to slow sales.

It was launched in Mexico in November 2006. The Grande Punto is placed above the Fiat Palio in the Mexican Fiat car lineup. Initially it was sold with the 1.4 16v StarJet 95 PS (70 kW) engine with six speed manual gearbox in five door Dynamic and three door Sport trims. In December 2007, the 1.4 16v T-Jet 120 PS (88 kW) variant was launched.

In the rest of South America, the Brazilian built Grande Punto (called only Punto) was launched in August 2007.[11] Codenamed Project 310, it is produced in the factory of Betim, Minas Gerais, Brazil.[12] The chassis is an adaptation of the Fiat Palio, a lower cost compact. Levels of safety were not maintained (airbags and ABS are optional on lower trim levels, and the highest one has only two airbags as standard), but the ride comfort is said to be the same.

The five door version was the only one available in the Brazilian line, and there were no plans for a two-door version (in Brazil, two door vehicles are only accepted for cheaper cars). The engines available at launch were the 85 PS (63 kW) 1.4 Fire 8v and the 115 PS (85 kW) 1.8 Ecotec-Family 1 X18XE engine that comes from GM-Fiat/Powertrain, and later the 1.4 Fire 16v TurboJet, also available for the Linea.

The Grande Punto was launched in India during the Delhi Auto Expo in January 2008, with sales starting in June 2009. The Punto for the Indian market was manufactured by the Fiat / Tata Motors joint venture Fiat India Automobiles Ltd (FIAL) in a new plant in Ranjangaon, Maharashtra.

The Indian Grande Punto was based on the same 310 project of the Brazilian Punto. In August 2014, Fiat launched a facelifted Punto Evo based on Fiat Avventura style with new front fascia, new front and rear LED lights and new interior (the same of the European Punto Evo).[15]

Abarth Grande Punto (2007–2010)[]

The first car from the newly created (2007) Fiat owned Abarth & C. S.p.A., the Abarth Grande Punto differs significantly from its donor car.

Initially the Abarth Grande Punto was released with a 150 PS (155 PS when using 97 RON fuel) 1.4 turbo engine, but from 2008, there was available an Essesse kit, which could be installed at official Abarth service centres rather than in the factory. Amongst various refinements included uprated brakes and suspension, the Essesse kit provided an uprated power output of 180 hp (134 kW).

Punto Evo (2009–2012)[]

The Punto Evo, a facelift version of the Grande Punto, was presented at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show. It has two new engines, a 1.3 L second generation Multijet diesel and a 1.4 L petrol engine with the MultiAir technology. It also features a new navigation system integrated to the Blue&Me system called Blue&Me–TomTom.

Abarth Punto Evo (2010–2015)[]

The Abarth Punto Evo was shown at 2010 Geneva Motor Show. It has a 165 PS (121 kW; 163 hp) 1,368 cc (1.4 L) MultiAir Turbo inline-four engine. The top speed is 213 km/h (132 mph) and acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) takes 7.5 seconds.

A new Esseesse version was released in 2011, which was an optional upgrade that improved performance, with a 0–100 km/h (62 mph) time of 7.3 seconds. The Abarth Punto Evo was discontinued in 2015, after slow sales.

Punto (2012–2018)[]

Fiat introduced the 2012 Punto in September 2011 at the Frankfurt Motor Show,[22] as a facelifted version of the Punto Evo that reintroduced the Punto nomenclature (without Grande or Evo). Since 2015 (when the production of three door version was cancelled) only five door version was available in Europe.

In June 2016, Fiat introduced the new Techno Pack with the 5” touchscreen infotainment system and cruise control.[23][24] Production of the Punto ended on 7 August 2018, with no direct successor being announced.[25] The last Punto assembled in Melfi was a red five door model.

Engines[]

The 2012 Punto was available with two new engines: the 0.9 L TwinAir turbo petrol, with two cylinders and 85 PS (63 kW; 84 hp), and the new 1.3 L MultiJet II diesel, with Start&Stop air technology, 85 PS (63 kW; 84 hp) and CO2 emissions reduced to 90 g/km. The new engines did not replace the previous engines (1.2 Fire, 1.4 MultiAir, 1.3 MultiJet and 1.6 MultiJet).

The 2012 Punto had updated front and rear bumper clips along with new alloy wheels. The interior is also updated with new fabrics and a revised Blue&Me system.

Avventura (2014–2018)[]

Fiat India launched a crossover version of the Punto Evo called Avventura in India on 21 October 2014, at a base price of INR 5.99 Lakh. The Avventura was aimed at the market inhabited by the likes of Toyota Etios Cross, Volkswagen CrossPolo and Ford EcoSport.

Awards[]

See also[]

The Fiat Punto page for information about the Grande Punto's predecessors.


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