Fiat Grande Punto

Infobox Automobile generation


name = Fiat Grande Punto
aka = Fiat Punto
manufacturer = Fiat
assembly = Mirafiori plant, Turin, ItalyCite web|url=http://www.fiatgroup.com/comuni/php/file_get.php?w=NDOPGL4LDI8MWXCPERTD|title=MAIN FIAT GROUP AUTOMOBILES PLANTS IN THE WORLD|accessdate=2007-08-05|work=fiatgroup.com]
Melfi (Potenza), ItalyCite web|url=http://www.fiatgroup.com/comuni/php/file_get.php?w=NDOPGL4LDI8MWXCPERTD|title=MAIN FIAT GROUP AUTOMOBILES PLANTS IN THE WORLD|accessdate=2007-08-05|work=fiatgroup.com]
Betim (Minas Gerais), BrasilCite web|url=http://www.fiatgroup.com/comuni/php/file_get.php?w=NDOPGL4LDI8MWXCPERTD|title=MAIN FIAT GROUP AUTOMOBILES PLANTS IN THE WORLD|accessdate=2007-08-05|work=fiatgroup.com]
production = 2005–present
predecessor = Fiat Punto
successor =
class=Supermini
platform = Fiat/GM SCSS platform
body_style = 3/5-door hatchback
3-door van
engine = 1.2 L I4
1.4 L I4
1.3 L I4 diesel
1.9 L I4 diesel
transmission = 5-speed manual
5-speed semi-auto
wheelbase = Auto mm|2510
length = Auto mm|4030
width = Auto mm|1687
height = Auto mm|1490
weight = Auto kg|1015 - Auto kg|1040
fuel_economy =
layout = FF layout
fuel_capacity = 45 L (9.9 Imp. gallons)
(11.9 U.S. gal)
related = Alfa Romeo Mi.To
Fiat Linea
Opel Corsa D
similar =
designer = Giorgetto GiugiaroThe Fiat Grande Punto is a car manufactured by the Italian automaker Fiat.

Overview

The third generation Fiat supermini 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,Cite web|url=http://www.italiaspeed.com/2005/motor_show/frankfurt/review/fiat/grande_punto/1209.html|title=12.09.2005 Motor shows|accessdate=2007-08-05|work=italiaspeed.com/2005] the car is based on the Fiat/GM SCCS 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 Fire 8v (65 PS), a new 1.4 Fire 8v (77 PS) and the 1.4 16v (95 PS). Four MultiJet diesel engines are also available: two 1.3 16v units (convert|75|PS|abbr=on and convert|90|PS|abbr=on, the latter with a variable geometry turbocharger) and two 1.9 with convert|120|PS|kW|0|abbr=on and convert|130|PS|kW|0|abbr=on, all of them with diesel particulate filter. All the engines are Euro IV compliant. In 2007 came new 1.4 T-Jet turbochargedpetrol engine (convert|120|PS|abbr=on) available. In the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show Fiat introduced convert|155|PS|abbr=on Abarth version produced through the Abarth & C S.p.A. company and branded as an Abarth car rather than Fiat.Cite web|url=http://www.fiatautopress.com/index.php?method=cartelle&action=article&id=20070903092031f8a48ebb2a115efb4a549c3bd5199653&group=1|title=Press Files 03/09/2007|accessdate=2007-09-03|work=fiatautopress.com] The car's nose, headlights and front grill look reminiscent of the Maserati Coupé, both were designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro of ItalDesign.

Non-European markets

In Australia, Fiat introduced the Grande Punto in mid 2006; it is the first Fiat to be sold in Australia since 1989. Shortly after its launch, the car (the 1.3L convert|90|PS|kW|0|abbr=on diesel) was recognised as the most economical car on the market.Cite web|url=http://www.perrys.co.uk/fiat-punto/news/Fiat-Punto-revealed-as-Australias-most-economical-car|title=Fiat Punto revealed as Australia's most economical car|accessdate=2007-08-05|work=perrys.co.uk]

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 1.4lt 16V convert|100|PS|kW|0|abbr=on engine with 6 speed manual gearbox in 5 door Dynamic and 3 door Sport trims. In december 2007 the 1.4lt T-jet convert|120|PS|kW|0|abbr=on variant was launched.

The Italian-made Grande Punto has already been launched in Chile and Dominican Republic, in petrol and diesel versions.

In the rest of South America, the Brazilian-built Grande Punto (called just Punto) was launched in August 2007. Codenamed "Project 310", it is produced in the factory of Betim, Minas Gerais, Brazil.Cite web|url=http://www.italiaspeed.com/2007/cars/fiat/08/grande_punto_brazil/0208.html|title=02.08.2007 THE FIAT GRANDE PUNTO WILL BRING NEW LEVELS OF TECHNOLOGY TO BRAZIL|accessdate=2007-08-05|work=italiaspeed.com] The chassis is an adaptation of the Fiat Palio's, a lower cost compact. Levels of safety were not maintained, but the ride comfort is said to be the same. At the beginning, the five-door version will be the only available in the Brazilian line. The engines are the convert|85|PS|abbr=on 1.4 L FIRE 8v and the convert|115|PS|abbr=on 1.8 Family 1 engine that comes from GM-Fiat/Powertrain. A later addition will be the new Torque 1.9L MultiJet with 8 and 16v, convert|121|PS|kW|0|abbr=on and convert|134|PS|kW|0|abbr=on. In Brazil, both 1.4 and 1.8 engines are currently available in flexible fuel technology, working on both gasoline and ethanol.

The Grande Punto also went on sale in South Africa in 2006, replacing the previous generation. It is sold with a variety of petrol and diesel engines, beginning at around R120,000.

A sedan version of the Grande Punto, the Fiat Linea, was launched in early 2007 to replace the aging Marea. It will be built on an extended version of the Grande Punto's chassis, giving a total length of convert|4600|mm|in|1|abbr=on, making it jump to the small family car segment.

Grande Punto and the Linea sedan, both were launched in India during the Delhi Auto Expo in January 2008. However both the models are expected to be available in the market only in the second half of 2008. As of current reports Linea would be available in the markets first followed by Grande Punto. In India both the cars would be manufactured by the Fiat-Tata Motors joint venture in a new plant.

Engines

Petrol

References