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Fiat Punto Sporting - a well equipped roundabout terrorist! Image by Shane O' Donoghue.

Fiat Punto Sporting - a well equipped roundabout terrorist!
Fiat has a name in the car industry for making good small cars. Since the original Topolino in the mid thirties, we have been treated to many superb small Fiats, including the 500/600 which has reached cult status. The marketplace is becoming crowded though, and Fiat has to dig deep to keep up. Enter the new Punto.

   



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Fiat has a name in the car industry for making good small cars. Since the original Topolino in the mid thirties, we have been treated to many superb small Fiats, including the 500/600 which has reached cult status, yet is still being used everyday as a regular workhorse in Italy. The marketplace is becoming crowded though, and Fiat has to dig deep to keep up. Enter the new Punto.

Ignoring the Seicento, the Punto is really Fiat's most important small car. Admittedly, it is not as small as some of its forebears, but next to the likes of a BMW 3-series, it is still a compact car. The Punto was given a major overhaul at the end of 2003. Styling changes included a new, friendly, puppy-eyed face. This really works, especially in the 'Broom Yellow' paintwork of the test car show here. The Sporting version looks the part with its deeper front air dam, pert little roof spoiler and sporty 5-spoke alloys. The lack of rear disc brakes detracts from the appearance a little, though the performance of the braking system itself is fine. In any case, I'm not sure the target market will notice.

Perhaps of more importance to the showroom traffic, the interior was given a make over. Though the materials used do not invite you to stroke the car (the seat upholstery reminds me of a horrid sofa my parents had when I was a tot), it is well put together and looks modern. The Sporting version is very well equipped too, with electric mirrors and windows, air-con and even traction control. The close-ratio six-speed gearbox is linked to a tight shift pattern. The gearknob and steering wheel are both trimmed in leather. However, the one thing that makes this Punto feel thoroughly modern, and, (dare I say it?) sophisticated, is the onboard computer. It isn't rocket science, but a little computer that tells you when there is the possibility of ice, and that calculates your fuel tank range is a nice touch on a car in this closely fought market segment. Saying that, the little button on the end of the wiper stalk proved to be quite stubborn on the test car. Perhaps to reduce usage while on the move...

So, the tag Sporting promises a lot. As mentioned, it looks the part. It certainly exudes a buzz. Though only a 1.4-litre, the engine pushes out 95 bhp and 94 lb.ft of torque. You could say it has FIRE in its belly... Then you would need me to explain that the engine is actually designated F.I.R.E, which stands for Fully Integrated Robotised Engine. This unit responds well to being driven hard, and yet idles silently and managed over 34 mpg over a week in our "enthusiastic" hands. It is well suited to the 6-speed 'box, revving quickly around to the soft rev limiter. Though never giving a real shove in the back, you would be surprised how capably you can reach the car's top speed. Even on the cut and thrust of the outside lane on the M6, it keeps up without any need for a downchange. Speaking of downchange, the pedals are beautifully spaced for blipping the throttle while going down through the 'box. Don't wear large shoes though as there is not much room on the left of the clutch pedal and it is all too easy to hit the brake pedal and accelerator at the same time as well.

We had mixed feelings about the braking in the Punto. One tester described it as over-servoed. I didn't like the pedal feel, though the brakes themselves work very well, and the car is incredibly stable, even in an "emergency" situation while cornering. Tight corners are where the Punto Sporting comes into its own. Like a true 'roundabout terrorist' the nose dives for the apex and the tyres grip hard; the chassis feels delicately balanced. Push it further and surprisingly, the nose tucks in even further, and the rear can be adjusted nicely on the throttle. Eventually, the traction control does its job, but not at the expense of fun. Turn it off, and left-foot braking is available, though it is a little too easy to spin the front wheels. This is all despite having such a modest power output. Low weight is the key to this. The kerb weight is only 960 kg after all, which helps to explain the performance, economy and braking.

Despite keeping the Punto to a sensible weight, Fiat have managed to fit all the necessary safety equipment including six airbags (driver and passenger front and side airbags, plus two side curtain airbags), ABS and traction control. The previous generation Punto managed a superb 4-star result in the EuroNCAP safety tests. Surely the "City" button for the power steering is a waste of space and weight though? I don't mean that in a "I'm a bloke, and that's a girly button" kind of way either. The power steering is very light even without pressing this button, yet it manages to retain some feel at speed.

The downside of the sharp steering and roll-free cornering is a car that is over-sensitive to crosswinds. In fact, if you intend to use motorways a lot I would advise you not to purchase the Sporting version of the Punto as the stiffer suspension jiggles and bounces uncomfortably over certain surfaces. At lower speeds, this is not an issue. The MG ZR105 manages to be a hoot to drive, but also quite capable over most surfaces. The MG is over £1000 cheaper in its most basic format too, though the high level of specification in the Fiat may well win the buyers over. Then there is the Mini One... The equipment may well be enough to woo the modern generation of small car buyers. If you are one of them, you will not be disappointed.

Shane O' Donoghue - 11 Feb 2004



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2003 Fiat Punto Sporting specifications:
Price: £11,095 on-the-road
0-62mph: 9.6 seconds
Top speed: 111mph
Combined economy: 42.8mpg
Emissions: 156g/km
Kerb weight: 960kg

2003 Fiat Punto Sporting. Image by Shane O' Donoghue.2003 Fiat Punto Sporting. Image by Shane O' Donoghue.2003 Fiat Punto Sporting. Image by Shane O' Donoghue.2003 Fiat Punto Sporting. Image by Shane O' Donoghue.2003 Fiat Punto Sporting. Image by Shane O' Donoghue.

2003 Fiat Punto Sporting. Image by Shane O' Donoghue.2003 Fiat Punto Sporting. Image by Shane O' Donoghue.2003 Fiat Punto Sporting. Image by Shane O' Donoghue.2003 Fiat Punto Sporting. Image by Shane O' Donoghue.2003 Fiat Punto Sporting. Image by Shane O' Donoghue.



2003 Fiat Punto Sporting. Image by Shane O' Donoghue.
 

2003 Fiat Punto Sporting. Image by Shane O' Donoghue.
 

2003 Fiat Punto Sporting. Image by Shane O' Donoghue.
 

2003 Fiat Punto Sporting. Image by Shane O' Donoghue.
 

2003 Fiat Punto Sporting. Image by Shane O' Donoghue.
 

2003 Fiat Punto Sporting. Image by Shane O' Donoghue.
 

2003 Fiat Punto Sporting. Image by Shane O' Donoghue.
 






 

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