Review: Fiat Punto (2013-15)

Overview

Released in August 2013, the Fiat Punto was a light, five-door hatchback. Manufactured in Italy, the front-wheel drive Punto was powered by a 1.4-litre four-cylinder petrol engine that was mated to either a five-speed manual or semi-automatic transmission (Fiat’s ‘Dualogic’).

The 1.4-litre FIRE (‘Fully Integrated Robotised Engine’) four-cylinder petrol engine had a cast iron block, an alloy cylinder head, a single belt-driven overhead camshaft, two valves per cylinder and a compression ratio of 11.1:1. The Fire engine also had a ‘Start&Stop’ function which enabled it to shut down when the vehicle was stationary to reduce fuel consumption.

The Punto was 4065 mm long, 1687 mm wide, 1490 mm tall and had a 2510 mm long wheelbase; kerb weight was 1024 kg. Inside, cargo capacity was 275 litres though this increased to 1030 litres when the rear seats were folded. Furthermore, the Punto had MacPherson strut front suspension and a torsion beam rear axle.

Fiat Punto specifications
Variant	Engine	Trans.	Peak power	Peak torque
Pop	1.4-litre petrol I4	5sp man., 5sp semi-auto	57 kW at 6000 rpm	115 Nm at 3250 rpm
Easy, Lounge	1.4-litre petrol I4	5sp semi-auto	57 kW at 6000 rpm	115 Nm at 3250 rpm

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the Punto included dual front airbags, front side airbags (seat-mounted), full-length curtain ariabgs, ABS, electronic brakeforce distribution, electronic stability control, traction control and front seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters. The Easy and Lounge variants were also fitted with a driver’s knee airbag and anti-whiplash front seat headrests. The Punto had 257 mm by 22 mm ventilated front brake discs and 228 mm by 40 mm rear drum brakes.

Euro NCAP testing

In Euro NCAP crash testing , a 2005 Punto three-door hatchback – without a driver’s knee airbag – received 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.

Features

Standard features for the Punto Pop included 15-inch steel wheels with 175/65 R15 tyres, a six speaker sound system with a CD player, MP3-compatibility and Blue&Me system with Bluetooth connectivity, air conditioning, daytime running lights, 60/40 split and folding rear seats, remote central locking, power front windows and heated mirrors, a height and reach adjustable steering wheel, a height adjustable driver’s seat and an immobiliser.

The Punto Easy was further equipped with 15-inch ‘TwinAir’ alloy wheels with 185/65 R15 tyres, auxiliary 3.5 mm and USB inputs for the sound system, cruise control, rear parking sensors, leather-wrapped steering wheel and gearshift lever and power rear windows. Visually, the Easy (and Lounge) variants could also be identified by their dark headlight accents and chrome exhaust tips.

The range-topping Punto Lounge was distinguished by its 16-inch ‘Sportline’ alloy wheels with 195/55 R16 tyres, climate control air conditioning, leather seats, power adjustable driver’s seat, rain-sensing wipers, electrochromatic rear view mirror, ambient lighting and rear privacy glass. Visual cues for the Lounge variants included a sports body kit and aluminium door mirror covers.

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Review: Fiat Punto (2013-15)