Fiat Launches Grande Punto 90 BHP (Now Road Tested)


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Fiat heats up the hatchback segment with Punto Fire 1.2

Fiat India, today launched the 1.2litre Punto Fire Dynamic and Emotion, taking the battle of B+ hatchback segment to a newer height. The new Punto Fire 1.2 petrol with features that would envy anyone was launched for start price of Rs 4,72, 284 (ex showroom Mumbai).

Punto has emerged as the hottest selling car for Fiat and has been on a roll since its launch. With the launch of Punto 1.2 Fire, the officials said they are “now” in the market for a tough competition. The Punto 1.2 Emotion will come at a price of Rs 5,04, 279 (ex showroom Mumbai).

The Punto Fire comes with a tilt steering, front power windows, fire prevention system and programmed service reminder in its entry level 1.2 Active variant. The 1.2 Dynamic will offer rear power windows and central locking system. As an introductory offer, Fiat is also giving away music system in the 1.2 Dynamic. Meanwhile, the 1.2 Emotion variant will come an integrated music system, fog lamps, electric mirrors, dual tone dashboard and split seats.

Speaking during the launch of the two new variants, Rajeev Kapoor, president and CEO, Fiat Automobiles India said,
The hatchback segment is the most happening in India and has seen a 50% growth in 2009. In fact, 60% of car sales happen in this category and we have had a 5.5% market share till now and with more variant launches in the coming months, we would be looking at doubling the sales.
Elaborating on the reasons behind coming out with a car with so many features and at an affordable price, he said,
During the last couple months of we have been observing the customer needs and saw that the Punto Active was the most preferred of the lot. So thus we decided to tap that market and offer more features at a reasonable price tag.
Ravi G Bhatia, vice-president, Fiat India said that Rs 4-5lakh category is seeing a lot activity and the automobile sector in India is growing at a tremendous pace. “Look at the number of cars that has come in the category, so it was imperative that we also be a part of the game. Fiat has been looked upon as an expensive car but with these two launches we want to change that image.”

On the image that Fiat has that cost of ownership is high, he said that that is also slowing changing and that the company has been doing some serious activity to see that spare parts are available easily. He added, “And since localisation has set in, the cost of ownership will also come down drastically for Fiat cars. We are also opening dealerships all over India which should also help us change the image.”

The Fiat Punto 1.2 comes in eight colours: Bossa Nova White, Exotica Red, Minimal Grey, Hip Hop Black, Medium Grey, Electric Blue and 2 new colours i.e. Fox Trot Azure and Tuscan Wine.

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Thread Starter #36

350Z

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What's the name of these two new colors? The first light blue color is looking nice but IMHO Punto still looks best in Exotica Red and Hip-Hop Black.

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Black is real good, but maintaining it requires a driver who jumps out with a cloth at every red light!!
 
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Two new Fiat variants to come mid-year: Linea 1.6 and Punto Sports

Next What?

Fiat India, which has done a comeback of sorts in the Indian car market, is leaving no stone unturned to be in the minds of the people. The company officials recently said that they plan to introduce Linea 1.6 MultiJet and Punto Sports in July-August 2010.
Ravi Bhatia, vice president - Commercial for Fiat India said,
We have been getting a lot of requests from consumers asking for the Linea 1.6. Keeping that demand in mind, we will be launching the same in July. We would also be introducing Punto Sports sometime that period although work is still on the same and so any exact timeline is difficult.
The Punto Sports is expected to be in the range of Rs 7 - 7.5lakhs but as another Fiat official says no valuation can be attributed right now.
Fiat India officials recently had said that they would be introducing variants of its successful models like Punto and Linea all through the year. “The reiterating fact that the ‘haunt’ Indian consumers had on buying Fiat cars is no longer present with localisation coming in and more service centres being opened across India,” said Bhatia.
On any new products to be launched, he said that this year will see more or less only variant launches but the company is working on new products though nothing can be revealed at this point of time.

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Good info RSM!! The Punto sports can be a direct rival to the Jazz and the i20!!

The Tuscan wine color has a nice glossy touch to it but yes the Red and Black are my favorite colors on Punto!!
 
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The advertisement is as exciting as others from Fiat and pointless to say that Punto still looks so much sporty! :smile:

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:offtopic:
FIAT has quietly increased the power and torque of linea diesel. Not sure if its the multijet 2 engine (1.3 mjg vgt 95ps) but according to the fiat site linea diesel now produces 93.7 ps/4000 rpm which was earlier 86ps and torque has gone upto 209nm@2000 rpm which was 203 nm@2500 rpm.
 
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