I have fallen in love, and wanted to share this with you all.. opinions are very welcome.. enjoy!
Claire x
PUNTO 2006
Engines on offer from launch are 65bhp 1.2 8-valve and 77bhp 1.4 8-valve petrol units, and no less than four Euro IV-compliant diesels: 120 bhp and 130 bhp versions of the 1.9 Multijet diesel engine, and 75bhp and 90bhp versions of the new 1.3-litre Multijet 16-valve unit. A warmed-up Sporting version - probably with a turbocharged version of the 1.4-litre petrol engine - is to follow next year, and a proper hot-hatch Abarth model a little later. The Abarth is expected to come with both petrol and diesel engines, and a power output of up to 220bhp.
Final specification levels and pricing for the UK will be released nearer to the on-sale date; right-hand drive versions will not be available until early 2006. However, the 11,000-euro starting price in Italy suggests that the Grande Punto is going to be affordable and good value for money.
The only black mark is the five-speed gearbox, which comes with the petrol engines and the 75bhp diesel: in all the cars tested, it was awkward and stiff with first gear difficult to select, though it may well loosen up with a bit of mileage. The quick-acting six-speed 'box was far better, with far more accurate action from the gearstick and a lower likelihood of crunching the gears or stalling at a standing start.
Pick of the engines is undoubtedly the 90bhp version of the new 1.3 Multijet diesel. Not only does this come in combination with the superior six-speed gearbox, it is strong, torquey and far livelier than its 11.9second time 0-60mph would suggest. Its sixth gear makes for effortless cruising on the autostrada, and it's nippy around town too. It effectively makes the 120bhp and 130bhp 1.9-litre diesels redundant: it's just not worth paying any extra for these as they really don't feel any quicker in real-life, every-day driving, and their 8-valve engines feel less flexible than the 16-valve 1.3. They're also considerably less economical, and feel a bit more nose-heavy to drive. The 75bhp 1.3 is a bit of a plodder, though; it's adequate as a runaround - and would be the perfect hire-car - but it is pretty uninspiring and has to be worked hard, hampered by its sticky five-speed gearbox. Likewise the 1.4 petrol (77bhp); to get the best out of it, you have to drive like an Italian, foot to the floor at all times. Simultaneously smoking, talking on the phone, gesticulating wildly and flirting with fellow drivers all whilst changing lanes not advised, though. We've not yet tried the 1.2 (65bhp) though this has been pretty good and lively in previous Fiats; we suspect this may be a better option than the 1.4. Still, a turbocharged, 16-valve 1.4, as expected in the upcoming Punto sporting, might be rather nice… the Punto's chassis could certainly handle a lot more power, and we look forward to testing the Sporting and the even hotter Abarth.
Claire x
PUNTO 2006
Engines on offer from launch are 65bhp 1.2 8-valve and 77bhp 1.4 8-valve petrol units, and no less than four Euro IV-compliant diesels: 120 bhp and 130 bhp versions of the 1.9 Multijet diesel engine, and 75bhp and 90bhp versions of the new 1.3-litre Multijet 16-valve unit. A warmed-up Sporting version - probably with a turbocharged version of the 1.4-litre petrol engine - is to follow next year, and a proper hot-hatch Abarth model a little later. The Abarth is expected to come with both petrol and diesel engines, and a power output of up to 220bhp.
Final specification levels and pricing for the UK will be released nearer to the on-sale date; right-hand drive versions will not be available until early 2006. However, the 11,000-euro starting price in Italy suggests that the Grande Punto is going to be affordable and good value for money.
The only black mark is the five-speed gearbox, which comes with the petrol engines and the 75bhp diesel: in all the cars tested, it was awkward and stiff with first gear difficult to select, though it may well loosen up with a bit of mileage. The quick-acting six-speed 'box was far better, with far more accurate action from the gearstick and a lower likelihood of crunching the gears or stalling at a standing start.
Pick of the engines is undoubtedly the 90bhp version of the new 1.3 Multijet diesel. Not only does this come in combination with the superior six-speed gearbox, it is strong, torquey and far livelier than its 11.9second time 0-60mph would suggest. Its sixth gear makes for effortless cruising on the autostrada, and it's nippy around town too. It effectively makes the 120bhp and 130bhp 1.9-litre diesels redundant: it's just not worth paying any extra for these as they really don't feel any quicker in real-life, every-day driving, and their 8-valve engines feel less flexible than the 16-valve 1.3. They're also considerably less economical, and feel a bit more nose-heavy to drive. The 75bhp 1.3 is a bit of a plodder, though; it's adequate as a runaround - and would be the perfect hire-car - but it is pretty uninspiring and has to be worked hard, hampered by its sticky five-speed gearbox. Likewise the 1.4 petrol (77bhp); to get the best out of it, you have to drive like an Italian, foot to the floor at all times. Simultaneously smoking, talking on the phone, gesticulating wildly and flirting with fellow drivers all whilst changing lanes not advised, though. We've not yet tried the 1.2 (65bhp) though this has been pretty good and lively in previous Fiats; we suspect this may be a better option than the 1.4. Still, a turbocharged, 16-valve 1.4, as expected in the upcoming Punto sporting, might be rather nice… the Punto's chassis could certainly handle a lot more power, and we look forward to testing the Sporting and the even hotter Abarth.
