The Fiat Punto is a supermini car (B-segment) produced by the Italian manufacturer Fiat from 1993 to 2018,[1] spanning over three generations. The third generation of the car was marketed between 2005 and 2009 as the Grande Punto, and between 2009 and 2012 as the Punto Evo, until the single-word Punto name was reintroduced. As of May 2013, nearly nine million units had been sold globally.[2][3]
Production of the first generation Punto was 3.43 million units, second generation 2.96 million units, and third generation 2.67 million units.[4]
First generation (176; 1993)
Internally codenamed Project 176, the Punto was announced in September 1993, as a replacement for the aging Fiat Uno, and launched at the end of 1993 or the beginning of 1994, depending on the market. The Fiat Punto was voted European Car of the Year for 1995,[7] soundly defeating rival Volkswagen Polo with 370 versus 292 points. The Punto received a very mild restyling in 1997 (new hubcaps, exterior colors and interior trim).
The official launch of the Punto in the United Kingdom was in October 1993, at the London Motorfair.[8]
The Punto was designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro, and originated as a 1990 design proposal for Renault's project X57, which would become the Renault Clio. When Giugiaro's proposal was not chosen, he took the design to Fiat, who accepted it.[9] Giugiaro was awarded the Compasso d'Oro industrial design award in 1994.[10] The Punto was available as a three-door or five-door hatchback, a two-door cabriolet and a three-door panel van.[11] As the majority of the new Fiat group models, the suspension was all independent, composed of MacPherson struts at the front and trailing arms at the rear.
The entry-level engines 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 1242 cc, available in three versions. The first, was fitted in the Punto ELX 75 and produced 75 PS at 6000 rpm while the second, fitted to Punto ELX 85 produced 86 PS at 6000 rpm.
The third was a 60 PS engine which eventually replaced the 1.1 54 PS engine.
Sporting versions
A Sporting model was also available with an updated, 1.6-liter, eight-valve 128 SOHC engine, producing 90 PS. This was later replaced in 1997 by the 1.2 16v FIRE engine used in the 85 ELX, and an associated power drop to 86 PS.
GT versions
The top of the range model was the 136 PS 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 and reaching 100 km/h in 7.9 seconds,[12] and came fitted with a five speed manual gearbox.
During the years, the GT was made in three different "series", producing 136 PS (1993–1995), 133 PS (1995–1997), and 130 PS (1997–1999).[13]
Convertible
A cabriolet (convertible) version was also available, built by Bertone (rather than at the main Fiat factory). The horizontal rear light clusters were totally different than the vertical ones of the Punto hatchback.
Second generation (188; 1999)
The second generation Punto codenamed Project 188, was launched in September 1999 at the Frankfurt Motor Show. The styling was all-new while retaining the original Punto's distinctive shape and design, while the chassis and interior were completely overhauled, with a new torsion beam rear suspension.
The new Punto also became the first Fiat in decades to carry the original round Fiat badge to celebrate Fiat's centenary.
At the launch event of the hatchback, the Fiat Wish concept car was also presented, which was hardtop convertible version of the Fiat Punto, very similar in styling with the Peugeot 206 CC.[19] The model was conceived by Pininfarina to celebrate the centenary of Fiat.[20][21]
Entry level
Third generation (199; 2005)
The 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,[39] the car is based on the Fiat Small platform developed in joint venture with Opel-General Motors.[38]
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 and 90 PS, the latter with a variable geometry turbocharger) and two 1.9 with 120 PS and 130 PS, 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, became available.
Motorsport
The Punto has always been popular with amateur racing drivers due to its low cost and the wide availability of spare parts. Numerous 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. Also, a turbodiesel front wheel drive rally car has been produced, the Fiat Grande Punto R3D.
The Punto has won several rally championships, specifically:
- Italian Rally Championship (2003 and 2006)
- European Rally Championship (2006)
- 2006 International Rally Challenge season
Sales
See also
External links
References
- Addio Fiat Punto e Alfa Romeo MiTo: è la fine di un'era^
- Fiat Punto: sucesso no Brasil e no mundo fiatpress.com, retrieved 2 May 2013^
- Fiat Punto 2012: the evolution of a best seller fcapress.com.br, retrieved 8 May 2013