The Grande Punto has been awaited by us Indians, ever since 2005. The car was so successful, that one million of Grande Puntos have already left production plants.
As this is a Fiat, and this is India, it does not matter whether one million have been made or not even one has been made. It needs to come and come with a competitive sticker price (read as cheap)
If this car needs to fight it out with the Suzukis and Hyundais, it needs to small in size, so that it can benefit from the tax exemptions. So it appears like Fiat has gone in for some minor changes as it needed to qualify for the small car norms (under 4000mm) which meant that some part of the car needed some chopping off.
The chopped version, with the reduced bulk at the front, that you see in the picture is the facelifted version that will be sold globally. The car was testing somewhere in Europe. The Grande Punto’s overall length is 4030 mm.
Fiat has cleverly combined both these and given us a single and hopefully handsome change. When compared to the normal model, we can see that the front bumper juts out lesser and this is a sure sign of reduction in length. This would make it qualify for the excise cut for cars under 4000mm in India.
Expect the new model in mid 2009 in India and around the same time globally as well. The 1.2 FIRE and the 1.3 MJT will be doing their duty under the bonnet. Fiat, you have another death rattle of a model here. So you better change everything about Fiat on Indians’ minds.
[...] suggests the new Fiat Grande Punto will have a hint of the Fiat Bravo in it. Another speculates the new Grande Punto will have an overall length of less than 4,000 mm, which at present is 4,030 [...]
I am a cherished owner of Fiat Uno 1.7 Diesel, 2002 model looking for a new car.Recently had a look at the Punto, looks solid however doubts linger. Will the Punto offer the same power, stability, comfort & mileage of Uno. I want assurance on availability of spares.
Indian punto really rocks the road grip , gearshift and engine far far superior to suzuki built swift and ritz, Ritz is highly unstable at high speeds and cornering.swift suffers from cold engine and low rpm engine piston rattle,swift build quality has gone down heavily due to higher production at suzuki.swift has fly by wire power steering where as punto has more sturdy hydraulic assisted steering.Ritz and Honda Jazz are far more dangerous in case of head on and offset collisions , because of front forwad cabin where as indica and punto has better safety in designs.But customer if intelligent will see through this, but if looks only at service network and doesnot mind anything suzuki will be a winner,
[...] have pointed out, and have got information from sources they believe are trustworthy, that the new Fiat Grande Punto will borrow a great deal of design elements from its elder sibling- the Fiat Bravo. Shown here is a [...]
Dear Harry,
Nice find,by the way is there any specifica reason to say India bound?
Hope Fiat will launch Punto in India in second quarter.
Dear Harry,
Nice find,by the way is there any specifica reason to say India bound?
Hope Fiat will launch Punto in India in second quarter.