The
'Nuova Punto' was introduced on the 100th anniversary of the Fiat company
in the summer of 1999. Although actually a mid-life update of the old Punto,
most of the car is new (80% of parts are new), including an all new exterior
design and new rear
suspension (torsion beam). Class leading interior space and passive
safety (the car received an excellent four stars in the Euro NCAP test) were praised by the press.
Available with three or five doors, and
a range of engines comprsing 1242cc 8V with 60bhp, 1242cc 16V with 80bhp,
1910cc diesel with 60bhp, 1910cc JTD diesel with 85bhp (previously 80bhp) and at the top,
the 1747cc 16V with 130bhp. This latter unit is the same as that in the
Barchetta and Coupé. A special mention is deserved by the Sporting, which uses the 1.2 16v engine coupled to a six-speed
manual gearbox. This model also features a stiffer suspension and an aggressive bodykit, and really follows the character of sportier small Fiats, being a genuine
'put a smile on your face car' without being seriously fast.
The three and five door cars are slightly differently styled, the five door
having a more aggressive appearance especially from the front. All cars
come with a drivers airbag and options include passenger and side airbags (standard in some markets).
Other new features are the electronic
power steering (with two levels of assistance selectable by the driver) and 'follow-me-home' headlights
which stay on for a predetermined time after you lock the car. The HGT
also features as standard a satellite navigation system, ABS and traction control.
Transmissions include a five speed manual,
a six speed manual and a CVT ('Speedgear').
This latter can be used in the fully automatic mode, or as a sequential
shift, with either six or seven preset ratios (depending on model).
Here you can find more on the competition Puntos.
In May 2003 a heavily revised Punto was released, the third incarnation of the best-selling car. Significant changes to the appearance were joined
by new engines and content.
The whole front end is new, including the bonnet, lights, bumper, wings grill etc, whilst at the rear the bumper changed and some other
detail changes made including the adoption of the round Fiat badge and additional reflectors on the three door car. Whereas the previous car had
differentiated between three and five door versions visually (with different front and rear bumpers), the new car features a front end
which is different for the sportier versions, the Sound (or Active Sport) Sporting and HGT, with all the other (both three and five door)
using the same bumpers.
Other significant additions to the model include a new transmission known as Dualogic. This is a Selespeed-like unit, being a manual gearbox controlled by hydraulic
actuators, in turn controlled via a sequential shift with a fully-automatic mode available. A
dual-zone climate control is new in the segment and
adds to the comfort and ease of use, as do rain and parking sensors.
New colours, interior trims and various changes including the instrumentation and wheels complete a comprehensive makeover for the best-selling Fiat.
2005 saw a further revision of the Punto arrive, affecting only the interiors. Various new interior trims and colours were introduced, as well as a couple of
new exterior colours. Later that year saw the all new Grande Punto arrive.
The Punto has proved to be a popular car and its mass appeal has led it to being the best-selling car in Europe for some years, whilst in early 2003
the 5,000,000th Punto was produced (including the earlier version).
Under the bonnet the same 1.2 8v (60bhp) and 16v (80bhp) engines together with the 1.8 16v (130bhp) and 1.9 JTD (85bhp) continue,
but they are joined by three new units.
A 1.4-litre development of the FIRE engine with 95bhp is now available (fitted to the new Sporting version), and a 1.9 MultiJet JTD with 100bhp is also offered, derived from the earlier engine.
Completely new is the award winning 1.3 16v MultiJet with 70bhp, claimed to be the smallest, most compact diesel, incorporating all the latest
technology such as common-rail, dohc, 16v, EGR-cooling, turbocharging etc.
Safety has also been taken care of with ESP, MSR and various other electronic aids being added to the various versions,
as well as up to six airbags being available. Novelties include the "hill-holder" which keeps the brakes on for 2 seconds if the car is in first gear
and a sensor decides that it is on an incline - designed to make for perfect hill starts every time....
Technical Details
| Driveline | transverse engine at front with front wheel drive |
| Suspension | front
: MacPherson strut with telescopic dampers and coil springs plus anti-roll bar
rear : torsion beam axle with telescopic dampers and coil springs wheelbase : 2460mm front track : 1398mm (Sporting & HGT 1410mm), (diesels 1402mm) rear track : 1392mm (Sporting 1399mm), (HGT 1397mm), (diesels 1395mm) |
| Brakes | front : discs, diameter 240mm (8V), 257mm (all others), (HGT & JTD ventilated)
rear : drums, diameter 180mm (HGT : 240mm discs) handbrake operating on the rear via a cable |
| Gearbox | 5 or 6 speed manual
Speedgear - CVT (six or seven preset ratios) Dualogic - five speed clutchless semi-automatic transmission |
| Steering | Rack and pinion
electrical power assistance (two-stage 'Dualdrive' system) |
| Kerb Weight | range from 860kg (3 door 1.2) to 1055kg (5 door 1.9 JTD)
Sporting : 930kg HGT : 1040kg |
Click here for a cutaway drawing of the Punto
Here there are images of the
1242cc 16V,
1910cc JTD and
1747cc 16V engines.
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Performance
| model | max speed | 0-60mph | in gear acceleration |
| 1.2 ELX | 104 mph | 11.2 sec | 17.7 sec (50-70 in 5th) |
| HGT | 122 mph | 9.2 sec | 10.3 sec (50-70 in 5th) |
Tuning
For the normal road car, easily carried out
modifications include installation of a free-flow air filter (a cold air
duct is also a worthy mod) and fitment of a less restrictive exhaust system
to improve the driveability, 'Chips' are also available which (claim to)
increase the power, driveability and torque all at the same time.
The brakes can be improved by fitting drilled
and grooved discs, using a superior pad compound and fitting stainless
steel braided flexible hoses.
Dampers and springs are readily available
for the Punto which will improve the handling, and a strut brace can be
fitted at the front to increase the stiffness of the bodyshell.
For those wishing for more speed there are a variety of companies offering more radical engine tuning, including a number of
turbocharging kits which are available.
See also our competition Puntos page for more inspiration.
Some
inspiration can be taken from the Punto Rally, developed to run in the
1600 Kit Car class of rallying. Fitted with 215bhp from a 1579cc version
of the 1800 as well as a six speed sequential gearbox and limited slip
diff, a completely built car can be bought from Fiat (with a rather high price).
For books on Fiat see our Online Bookstore
There is also a list of all our picture galleries (including museums, motorshows and various events).
Wallpapers/Desktop Backgrounds of numerous Fiats also available to download.
Nuova Punto comment form
Your Comments
Love my new Punto, except
the fact that the dealer bent the door to make a new rubber seal fit. (Spud, England)
Great car! The JTD engine
is a wonderful engine. You don't realise you're driving a diesel (Kazan, Belgium)
I love this car. I bought
HER almost a year ago, she is a HGT, and she loves to run. As the writer
I began to saving too for a punto kitcar. More objectively, it has the
one of the most beautiful interior what I've ever seen in a car. (Artifact, Hungary)
My parents bought a new Punto, that car left me speechless, he's wonderfull, he got comfort, he got everything, he's Italian he's gotta be good. By the way I'm Fiat fan and I'm driving Fiat Uno(1994). Ivica(Croatia)
My new Punto is a fantastic car, is a Punto 1.2 16v HLX 3 door whit abbarth exterior equipment.
Better than most superior class cars in my mind, bust the best of all cars in my heart (Bruno F, Portugal)
I have had my Punto JTD HLX for 8 months and have already done 15000 miles. The reason: I keep going out in it to drive for fun.
I LOVE MY PUNTO!!!!!!
I have a punto HGT and I love it. It kills golf gti's at pulling away at lights and it's a great feeling when they get beaten. Mine is black and can hardly be recogniced as a HGT. (Henk, Netherlands)
Everybody says that Italian cars don't have a good fabrication quality, that's bull!
I've had a Peugeot 206 gti and that car had so many problems! I brought my Punto 6 months ago and no problems solong! and the material quality is
superior! (Fabio, Belgium)
I am 19 and own the new shape Fiat Punto and to tell you the truth its the best thing I ever done, it is my dream car (especially the city steering, its wonderful).In a few years I
will kit it up a bit with side trims and sports seats perhaps, its not only boys who can have sports cars see! I would reccomend every one to buy this car
because it is the ultimate driving expieriance. (Lisa, UK)
Got the new Fiat Punto 1.9D fitted with BBS 14" alloy wheels and really love it!! Very economic, pleasant to drive, quite fast for
being a normally-aspirated diesel, smooth in bumpy roads (got a lot in Malta) and VERY, VERY ATTRACTIVE!!!! (Mervyn, Malta)
on my second new punto now. this time around its the ELX 16V speedgear, takes off like a
bat out of hell kickdown from all speeds, very fast little motor for a 1.2. my next car
will be the sporting speedgear, I am hooked
I've had my Punto 1.2 8 valve for four months and I love it, it's
the best car i've ever driven. Not the fastest, but definately the most fun.
I love the way it's so well balanced, and the gearchange is brilliant -you
find yourself changing gear just for the hell of it. It does seem to handle
better with a full tank of petrol, and when i've worn these tyres out (in a
few weeks, probably) I think some softer compound tyres are in order, as
Fiat always seem to fit really hard ones which make it skittery on wet or
greasy roads. Of course it looks great too, and with the way it's so well
put together makes it the best car ever. I love my Punto! How do they make
such a great car for £5,995, new? Why do people buy those crappy 'smart'
cars when you can get a Punto for that? (Ed, UK)
Had my JTD ELX Punto for 18mth great car and unbelievably fast.This is my third Punto loved them all,but this one is by far the best so far.
Looking forward to seeing the new upgraded one in the spring.
I bought my MkII 1.2 8v Punto from it's first owner having done
35k miles. What a great car! I have had the bumpers colour coded and a set
of Wolfrace 15" Urban Racer 7 alloys fitted and it now looks very smart
indeed. It is very well built with a solid clunk when you close the doors.
The ride and handling are very good too although I have noticed that it is
smoother with rear passengers or a full tank of fuel. Speaking of a full
tank ...the economy is very good too. The only problem I have noticed so far
is that the steering column has an annoying clattery rattle over rough roads. Other
than that, there have been no faults. The road noise is a little higher than
I'd like. My previous car was a BMW 318tds compact which is really an unfair
comparison as it cost considerably more than twice the price of a Punto but
it certainly wasn't worth that much more, the Punto is great and looks
fantastic too! (Kevin H, UK)
A car with a soul. Silent and swift. I hope this little pal brings back the FIAT reputation to the place where it deserves to be: on top.
(Tiago, Portugal)
I have Punto II 1.2 SX, year 2000. Now afther 35000 km I dont have any problems and it is still very comfortable. BRAVO! (Nino, Croatia)
I own a Punto Sporting 1242cc model year 2002. After five
years of driving it and 45000 km, I have to say that it is an honest
car. Fun to drive, fast enough for its category, nice design. The 6
speed gearbox is fantastic. The only problems that I have is that a)rain
enters in the rear right lights set and b) the driver's seat belt isn't
working anymore. It is much more reliable from my previous Punto GT
which had many mechanical problems that made me sell it. The bad thing
is that specific spare parts are somehow expensive. Rear lights set: 94
euros (original) 53 euros (Marelli), driver's seat belt: 240euros.
(Yiannis, Greece)
There is nothing nicer than
a bright punto sporting or hgt. they are the most stunning car about at the moment!!!! (Owain)
I'm a Fiat fan : My second car was a punto 60D, My third a punto
JTD & my last a punto HGT. The JTD : was a great car and it really was a pleasure of driving diesel engine.
But the HGT... I'm in another world !! (Nicolas, Reuinon island)
my punto is fantastic
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