Fiat India is not paying much attention to Punto as it did not prove to be a great success here. But in the overseas market, Punto has been one of Fiat’s successful cars. In order to keep the masses entertained, Fiat has launched an all new Sporting variant of Punto in the UK market. The sporting variant largely sees cosmetic upgrades which give the car a sporty and modern look. Fiat has said that “The new Sporting has a dramatic appearance and features a number of stylish enhancements both to the interior and exterior which make it instantly recognizable and likely to appeal to a younger audience,”
Fiat has Punto in its lineup since the year 1993. It is a super mini car that succeeded Fiat Uno. It became the “European car of the year” in the year 1995 The first gen model was on sale in the global market till 1999. The second gen model entered in 1999 as Fiat Punto Classic and lasted till 2010. It received a facelift in the year 2003. The 3rd gen of the car was launched in the year 2005 as Fiat Grande Punto as is currently in the market. It received a facelift in the year 2009 and was named Punto Evo. In the year 2012, Punto Evo was given a facelift and was named as Punto which marked the re-entry of Punto badge in the market. Till the year 2012, Fiat had manufactured 8.5 million units of Punto.
Now Punto has another member in its lineup, Sporting variant. Now Fiat Punto has 4 options viz. Pop, Easy, GBT and Sporting. The car will continue to be offered as both 3 door and 5 door models. Punto in all has 5 engine options which comply with the Euro 5 guidelines. Lounge and TwinAir trim levels have been terminated by the company. TwinAir now comes as an option for the GBT and Easy variants.
Various engine options available for all across the Punto line up are as follows
- 8-valve 1.2-liter petrol engine producing 69bhp
- 8-valve 1.4-liter petrol engine producing 77bhp
- 8-valve 1.4-liter petrol engine producing 77bhp with Dualogic auto transmission
- 16-valve 1.4-liter MultiAir petrol engine producing 105bhp
- TwinAir 0.9-liter petrol engine producing 85bhp
- 16-valve 1.3-liter MultiJet diesel engine producing 85bhp
Talking about the Punto Sporting variant, it has been upgraded with a Sporty body kit that gives the car re-styled side skirts and a rear spoiler as well. The car stands on 7 spoke, 2 tone all alloy 16 inch Sportline wheels. The car also endorses glossy roof painted in black, Sports suspension, glossy black electrically adjustable door mirrors, a dashboard with Tarmac finish, steering wheel with leather covering, leather covered brake lever and gear knob, black roof lining inside the car. The car gets specially designed dark Sporting head lights, fog lamps in the front with a cornering feature, tinted dark privacy glasses and chromed line exhaust pipe.
The Sporting variant will be powered by an 8 valve 1.4 liter petrol engine capable of giving an output of 77 bhp and 16 valve MultiAir 1.4 liter engine capable of churning out a power of 105 bhp.
Fiat does offer a sporty variant of Punto in India as well but that is nowhere close to drag an enthusiast to the dealership. It offers an output of only 90 bhp. However India will soon get an upgraded Punto and this time with an Abarth badge. Thus it is expected that Punto will offer some attractive specs soon. But unfortunately the prices are going to be high as Abarth badged cars will be imported as CBU by Fiat India.
The top end Punto Sporting variant in UK has been tagged with a price of 13,955 GBP which is equivalent to Rs 13.07 lacs. This is 2000 GBP i.e. Rs 1.87 lacs more than the present top end standard variant of Punto.
