- Refined turbo-diesel engine
- Balanced chassis and sharp turn-in
- Comfortable ride for Dynamic and Emotion editions…
- … but suspension for Punto Sport lacks compliance
- Electric steering lacks feel
- Cheap plastic trim for doors
Overview
Released in July 2006, the Fiat Punto was a light hatchback, available in three- and five-door bodies. Styled by Giugiaro and manufactured in Italy, the Punto was available with 1.4-litre petrol engines (both naturally aspirated and turbocharged) and 1.3- and 1.9-litre turbo-diesel engines. Initially, the Punto was offered with manual transmissions, though a semi-automatic unit (Fiat’s ‘DuaLogic’ clutchless sequential manual) was introduced in October 2006. Furthermore, the Punto range consisted of Dynamic, Emotion and Emotion variants.
Sold in international markets as the Grande Punto, the Punto was 4030 mm long, 1687 mm wide, 1490 mm tall and had a 2510 mm long wheelbase. Furthermore, the Punto had MacPherson strut front suspension and a torsion beam rear axle.
| Body | Variant | Engine | Years | Trans. | Peak power | Peak torque |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 door | Sport | 1.9-litre I4 turbo-diesel (‘MultiJet’) | 2006-08 | 6sp man. | 96 kW at 4000 rpm | 280 Nm at 2000 rpm |
| 1.4-litre I4 turbo petrol (‘T-Jet’) | 2008-09 | 5sp man. | 88 kW at 4000 rpm | 206 Nm at 5000 rpm | ||
| 5 door | Dynamic | 1.4-litre I4 petrol | 2006-09 | 5sp man., 5sp semi-auto |
57 kW at 6000 rpm | 115 Nm at 3000 rpm |
| 1.3-litre I4 turbo-diesel | 2006-09 | 6sp man | 66 kW at 6000 rpm | 200 Nm at 1750 rpm | ||
| Emotion | 1.9-litre I4 turbo-diesel (‘MultiJet’) | 2006-08 | 6sp man. | 88 kW at 4000 rpm | 280 Nm at 2000 rpm | |
| Sport | 1.4-litre I4 turbo petrol (‘T-Jet’) | 2009 | 5sp man. | 88 kW at 4000 rpm | 206 Nm at 5000 rpm |
Safety equipment
Standard safety equipment included dual front airbags, front side airbags, full-length curtain airbags, ABS, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, anti-submarining front and rear seats, and front seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters. The Emotion and Sport variants were also fitted with electronic stability control and traction control.
Euro NCAP crash testing
In Euro NCAP crash testing , a three-door Punto – fitted with a 1.2-litre engine – achieved a five star adult occupant protection rating with a score of 33.23 out of 37. In the offset crash test, there was a slight risk of serious chest and leg injury for the front occupants. In the side impact test, there was a slight risk of serious chest injury for the driver. Under ANCAP’s methodology, however, only models fitted with electronic stability were eligible for a five star rating.
Features
Standard features for the entry-level Punto Dynamic included a six speaker sound system with CD player, air conditioning, cruise control, split and folding rear seats, steering wheel audio controls, remote central locking, power windows and heated mirrors, a height adjustable driver’s seat, tilt and telescopic steering wheel adjustment, a trip computer and an immobiliser. The Punto was also fitted with Fiat’s ‘Dualdrive’ power steering system which could be activated at speeds below 30 km/h for greater power assistance.
The Punto Emotion was further equipped with 15-inch alloy wheels and front fog lamps, while the Sport added 17-inch alloy wheels, front seat memory settings, leather-wrapped steering wheel and gearshift, a roof-mounted spoiler and chrome exhaust tip.
Brochure
Related links
- Press Kit: Fiat Punto DuaLogic (October 2006)
- Press Kit: Fiat Punto T-Jet (January 2008)
- Wikipedia.org: Fiat Punto
