We received first details of Fiat's Grande Punto
last August before seeing the car for ourselves at the
Frankfurt Motor Show. Finally, UK customers can get their hands on this promising new super-mini. We won't get a chance to test drive the Grande Punto until later this year, but in the meanwhile, here's an overview of the new car.
Thirteen different versions of the new Grande Punto, in both three and five-door format priced from £7,594 to £12,295 are available from launch, incorporating five trim levels (Active, Active Sport, Dynamic, Eleganza and Sporting). Standard equipment on all versions includes anti-lock braking, remote central locking, driver and passenger front airbags, electric front windows, a CD player, Dualdrive electric power steering and 'Follow Me Home' headlamps.
The engine range is just as comprehensive, with a choice of six to start with: 1.2-litre, 65bhp and 1.4-litre, 77bhp versions of the 8-valve 'FIRE' petrol engine that first saw life in the Fiat Uno, and four turbocharged examples of Fiat’s direct injection MultiJet diesel engine technology: 120bhp and 130bhp variants of the 1.9-litre 8-valve unit, as well as 75bhp and 90bhp versions of the 1.3-litre 16-valve unit. Fiat claims that the latter is the world’s smallest and most advanced second-generation common rail direct injection turbodiesel. Both petrol engines, along with the 75bhp, 1.3-litre MultiJet unit, are bolted to five-speed manual gearboxes, whilst the remainder are equipped with six-speed manual transmissions.
Enthusiasts won't exactly be fighting their way to the Fiat showrooms, though the 130bhp diesel engine should give the new Grande Punto adequate grunt. We have also been promised a new 16-valve 1.4-litre petrol engine with 95bhp and a clutchless manual 'box Fiat calls 'Dualogic'.
Fiat has done particularly well on the subject of safety. Complementing the decent list of standard passive safety equipment is a top-of-the-class five star result in the Euro NCAP safety tests. That's for passenger safety, but the Grande Punto was also awarded three stars for child protection and three stars for pedestrian protection. This is the highest overall score yet achieved in the B-segment. Although not a complaint, it is worth noting that the new Fiat Grande Punto is actually the largest car in its class. In fact, this should be a bonus when it comes to comfort and practicality.
The basic line-up is as follows:
- 1.2 8v Active
- 1.3 16v MultiJet 75 Active
- 1.4 8v Active Sport
- 1.2 8v Dynamic
- 1.4 8v Dynamic
- 1.3 16v MultiJet 90 Dynamic
- 1.9 MultiJet 130 Sporting
All models bar the Sport and Sporting are available with three or five doors. The five-door model also gains a 1.9 MultiJet 120 Eleganza option.
Equipment for the UK market is as follows:
Active:
- Electric front windows
- Remote control central locking
- Driver and passenger airbags
- Height and reach adjustable steering wheel
- Height adjustable driver's seat
- Follow Me Home headlamps
- Dualdrive electric power steering
- ABS anti-lock brakes with EBD
- Stereo radio / CD player
- Steering wheel audio controls
- Trip computer
- Driver’s seat electric tailgate release
- 3 rear seatbelts
- 2 rear head restraints
- Electric door mirrors
Active Sport:
In addition to the Active specification, Active Sport adds:
- Leather steering wheel
- 15" alloy wheels
- Rear spoiler and side skirts
- Front fog lights
- Stereo radio / CD / MP3 player
- Side and curtain airbags
- Body coloured, heated and electric door mirrors
Dynamic:
In addition to the Active specification, Dynamic adds:
- Air conditioning
- Leather steering wheel
- Side and curtain airbags
- Split / folding rear seats
- Body coloured, heated and electric door mirrors
- 15" alloy wheels
Eleganza:
In addition to the Dynamic specification, Eleganza adds:
- Automatic, dual-zone climate control
- Front armrests
- Front seat lumbar adjustment
- Multifunction display with outside temperature
- Parking sensors
- 16" alloy wheels
- ESP + ASR/MSR, HBA and Hill Holder (1.9 MultiJet)
- Bluetooth telecommunications pack
- Third rear head restraint
Sporting:
In addition to the Dynamic specification, Sporting adds:
- Rear spoiler and side skirts
- Front fog lights
- ESP + ASR/MSR, HBA and Hill Holder
- Stereo radio / CD / MP3 player
- 17" alloy wheels
- Sports seats and interior trim
- Bluetooth telecommunications pack
Full UK pricing is shown below:
Version | CO2: g/km | UK insurance group | On-the-road price |
1.2 Active 3-door | 145 | 2E | £7,097 |
1.2 Active 5-door | 145 | 2E | £7,697 |
1.4 Active Sport 3-door | 145 | 3E | £7,998 |
1.3 16v MultiJet 75 Active 3-door | 123 | 3E | £7,988 |
1.3 16v MultiJet 75 Active 5-door | 123 | 3E | £8,588 |
1.2 Dynamic 3-door | 145 | 2E | £7,998 |
1.2 Dynamic 5-door | 145 | 2E | £8,598 |
1.4 Dynamic 3-door | 145 | 3E | £8,298 |
1.4 Dynamic 5-door | 145 | 3E | £8,898 |
1.3 16v MultiJet 90 Dynamic 3-door | 122 | 4E | £9,688 |
1.3 16v MultiJet 90 Dynamic 5-door | 122 | 4E | £10,288 |
1.9 MultiJet 120 Eleganza 5-door | 149 | 6E | £11,788 |
1.9 MultiJet 130 Sporting 3-door | 154 | 6E | £11,368 |
First impressions are good, with the most stylish body in its class and a good specification. We suspect that the Grande Punto will also be good to drive, though I for one am hoping for a hotter version in the future. In the meantime, watch out for our review of the new Punto on the
Fiat Road Tests page.
Shane O' Donoghue - 8 Feb 2006