The Italian car manufacturers Fiat are also jumping into the rat-race in the small-car segment. Their entrant to the segment is the Grande Punto. The Punto is an international bestseller for Fiat, and Fiat India are putting their money on the Punto to be their mainstay in the country for the next 3 to 4 years. The car is designed by the famous Giorgetto Giugiaro of Italdesign. Along with this attractive design, the Punto has also been given the Euro NCAP five-star rating for passenger safety. One of the most notable features in the car is the Blue & Me. This is a unique technology developed jointly by Microsoft & Fiat, which enables one to connect and sync a mobile phone via blue tooth.

The exteriors of this car has been designed with an aim to give it an aggressive and muscular look. The front-grille is very similar to what the Fiat Linea features, with the red-coloured Fiat logo positioned at it’s centre. The car has a low-slung, compact body with a muscular frame. The 195/60 tyres are pretty wide for the segment, and features stunning 15″ alloy wheels. The headlights are tear-drop shaped, and positioned at the far corners of the car’s front end. The tail-lights are positioned pretty high, and reverse lights are kept way below the rest, on the left side of the car’s bumper. Taken as a whole, the Punto ia no jaw-dropper, but has an appelaing look. The car’s interior is also modelled along the lines of the Linea, which gives it a very upmarket feel.

Fiat offers a petrol (FIRE) and a diesel engine(Multijet). There are two petrol options – 1.2 litre and 1.4 litre. The diesel engine is the 1.3 litre multijet. The car will be available in four varying trims – the Active, Dynamic, Emotion and the fully-loaded Emotion PK. The Grande Punto is available in 6 shades: Hip-hop Black, Boscha Nova Red, Minimal Grey, Metallic Grey, Exotica Red and Electric Blue. By the look of things, our assesment is that the Punto will put Fiat firmly back in the Indian automobile market. This is what Fiat has tried and failed a few times, from the days the Premier Padminis ruled our roads. India still being a predominantly ‘hatchback’ country, Fiat motors understands the importance of a good enough model in the segment. The Punto could ensure fruitful years lying ahead for the Fiat Motors in India.

Specifications:

Body Type	Hatchback
Engine	1.4 Petrol Engine 1368cc, 16 Valve, DOHC, FIRE Power: 90 PS @ 6000 rpm Torque:115 Nm @ 4500 rpm 1.2 Petrol Engine 1172cc, 8 Valve, SOHC, FIRE Power: 68 PS @ 6000 rpm Torque:96 Nm @ 2500 rpm Diesel Engine 1248cc, 16 valve DOHC, Multijet Power: 76 PS @ 4000 rpm Torque: 197 Nm @ 1750 rpm
Dimensions	Length:3987 mm Width:1687 mm Height:1495 mm
Security Features	Airbags:2 ABS,EBD Fog lamp
Comfort and Convenience	Climate controlled AC Power Windows Remote Central Locking Rear Defogger and Remote Boot Blue & Me
Other Specifications	Power Steering 5 Speed Manual gear transmission Tachometer,Body Coloured bumpers, 12-spoke alloys
Price(Expected)	Petrol : Rs 3.99-5.61 Lakhs Diesel : Rs 4.85-6.11 Lakhs

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