What they said when the Fiat Grande Punto was new… (Sep 7 2005)
ONE of Fiat's biggest successes ever is about to get bigger - literally.
Some six million drivers own a Fiat Punto but from this weekend its big brother the Grande Punto will hit the road.
Or at least it will in Italy, but in the UK we will have to wait until next February to try out the Italian company's great hope for the future.
Strangely enough the existing Punto will still be produced alongside the Grande Punto well into 2006, although in Britain the plan is to limit it to an entry level Punto only.
As its name suggests the Grande Punto is a much larger car altogether than its predecessor - eight inches longer to be exact - and a massive £540 million has been spent in its development.
That sort of investment shows just how committed Fiat is to making the Grande Punto one of the best - or even the best - selling family cars it has built.
I travelled to Turin, the home of Fiat, to see and try out the car when it was unveiled in a Hollywood-style launch which even attracted Formula One world champion Michael Schumacher - who drives for Fiat's sister company Ferrari.
The first thing that strikes you about the new car is the size and stunning design. In recent years Fiat has built an enviable reputation for its spectacular design flair and - thanks to Italdesign-Giugiaro and the Fiat Style Centre - the newcomer continues the trend.
The teardrop headlights and curvaceous front end styling have already led to it being dubbed the "mini Maserati" in Italy.
From the rear it looks a little like a cross between the existing Punto - with its high tail lights - and a VW Golf. If car sales relied solely on looks - and that is certainly one of the major factors - Fiat is already assured of a sales success.
And it's not just the exterior styling of this car that's eye-catching. Fiat's designers have created an interior to get you noticed - if that's what you want.
The tactile two-tone dashboard is offered in subtle tones or, if you want something to catch the eye, colours like bright orange, a colour which is also available for the centre panels on the seats and seat-backs as well as the car's exterior.
Inside there is plenty of room for drivers of all sizes to get comfortable and legroom in the rear is very impressive for a car of this size. The boot space too is good.
And while this car is intended to compete in the same sector of the market as the existing Punto the increase in size means it's also competition for cars in the next class up, particularly if it is introduced at a price level similar to that of the current Punto as is being hinted at.
The new Grande Punto will be available with a choice of four diesel engines and two petrol when it is launched.
The diesel engine range features two 1.3-litre Multijet units - a 75bhp and a 90bhp as well as two 1.9-litre Multijets - a 120bhp and 130bhp. In due course there will also be a 150bhp diesel for go-faster enthusiasts.
For those who prefer petrol engines there will be the 65bhp 1.2-litre and the 77bhp 1.4-litre, although, again, more powerful engines will follow including one producing 180bhp.
On the road the new models feel solidly built and generally handle well.
Fiat has also gone to a lot of trouble to ensure the quietness of its new range and the results are obvious as soon as you get behind the wheel. This is a very refined range of family cars.
I tried a three-door, 1.4-litre petrol model and five-door 90bhp diesel and found both very competent in terms of both comfort and handling.
To achieve sensible acceleration you have to wind up the six-speed diesel and use the rev range fully, but when you do the little car responds well and goes on to a top speed of 110mph while averaging more than 60mpg.
Both models felt impressively composed at speed on the motorway, with the petrol model having the edge in the handling stakes.
Gearboxes on both were slick and delightfully easy to use while the speed responsive electric steering is well balanced, if on the light side.
The brakes are particularly responsive, probably a little too much so until you get used to them, and you have to be careful or you find your front seat passenger rubbing noses with the windscreen.
There are no worries on the safety scene with Grande Punto, the car has just this week been awarded the top accolade of five stars in the Euro N-CAP crash test ratings.
Fiat has set a price of 11,111 Euros - around £7,500 - for its entry level car in Italy but no UK price has yet been confirmed.
The Italian giant is sure the newcomer will be a major factor in helping it on the road to financial recovery, but over the next four years it also plans to offer a further 20 new models and 23 face-lifted ones in a multi-billion euro investment.
But for the time being it is concentrating on the Grande Punto.
The Chief Executive Officer of Fiat, Sergio Marchionne said at the car's launch: "The Grande Punto will be the cornerstone of Fiat sales growth and it will also play a fundamental role in enhancing its image.
"We are investing a major portion of our ambitions in this car to satisfy current customers and win over new ones.
"I am convinced that the Grande Punto will not only offer us satisfaction but even exceed our and their expectations."
Words: Edward Stephens
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