New Fiat Punto for 2003
At a glance, the new 2003 Fiat Punto looks like a mere facelift, with cosmetic changes to refresh the popular little Italian hatchback. However, Fiat says it’s a ‘substantially new car’ with a few unique points: the first car in this market band to adopt two second generation Common Rail turbodiesels; and also the only model to offer two automatic transmissions (Dualogic and the Speedgear), an automatic dual zone climate control system and electric power steering with two operating modes. Uniquely for its segment, the model also offers a Natural Power version (petrol and methane fuel system).
This latest model shares its predecessor’s name but its personality has now been reinterpreted: the range is no longer dependent on a distinction between 3 or 5-door versions but is now distinguished by the character of its versions: elegant on one side and sporty on the other.
One example is the brand new front end that is the same for both bodies, though certain details differ between the elegant and the more sporty specifications. Examples include different grilles that are now larger in size. The grille designed for elegant versions features chrome inserts while sports versions offer square ellipsoid holes. The holes are arranged in a spoked formation and frame the round Fiat logo. Cloths and trim shades also differ, as do the facia and instrument panel.
The side view of both cars is based on the stylistic approach of a full volume scored along the sides by two grooves of great visual impact. These distinctive motifs originate on the wing, run along the glazed surfaces to tail off at the rear.
On the 3-door model, the first part of the line is the same but it then rises toward the tail of the car to lighten and reduce the ratio between glass and metal in favour of metal. The side slash forms a pair with the upper score that tends to drop down and converge with the lower line to create a visual sensation of the car’s weight being thrust forward. The rake of the rear end of the car also reinforces this impression.
On the 5-door version, the lower line does not rise toward the tail and thus makes the side look more linear. The upper mark runs cleanly along the side without dropping and apparently converges on an imaginary point outside the car. This device suggests a longer car with a greater volume. The styling strategy also allows the 5-door version to increase the area of glass at the rear. Both versions share interplay of light and shade (conferred by the meeting of different planes) that conveys an idea of the car’s compactness and solidity.
The rear end that, in all cases, reflects the stylistic configuration of the front (be it elegant or sporty). The Fiat Style Centre has come up with three configurations. The first offers new tail-lights that extend to the boot lid on three door versions in elegant or sporty specifications. These light clusters combine technology and design to give the car a more up-to-date and original look.
The exterior dimensions have been slightly changed compared to the previous Punto to ensure the car can nip through town traffic and park with ease. The dimensions are 1.66 metres in width, 1.48 metres in height, and 3.84 metres in length (3-door) or 3.86 metres (5-door).
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The 13 body colours available on the new model are also worth mentioning as the choice of colour is always laden with emotional and aesthetic meaning for most buyers. Like the car shape and interior, the body shade is a powerful expression of personality, a tangible sign of individual lifestyle and the way one appears to other people. The body colours often highlight the car’s shape and volumes, and this particularly true of the clean lines and relatively sharp edges of the new Punto where the body shades emphasise changes in cross section.
While ‘personality’ is the term that best encapsulates the exterior shape of the new Punto, the term that best sums up the nature of the interior is ‘functionality’. As far as space was concerned, the brief was to keep the same competitive edge the previous Punto enjoyed over its rivals: ie the best passenger room levels in the segment. The aim was achieved and more because the volumes and spaces are cleverly managed on this model to meet motorists’ true needs.
The interior of the new model ensures the same travelling comfort and practicality of use on all versions and specifications. As far as style alone is concerned, the most distinctive feature is a generous curved facia with no sharp edges that gives the passenger compartment a welcoming, reassuring look. The upper part is dark grey while the lower part is an up-to-date, sophisticated light grey. On sports versions, it comes in a uniform dark grey to emphasise the tall, high-tech look of the aluminium-coloured central console.
All the features and parts that can improve quality of life on board are arrayed on the facia. Many of these have previously only been seen on higher segment cars: an instrument panel with multifunction display, dual zone climate control system, 5 different telematic packages (radio with tape player, radio with CD, radio with CD and MP3 player, CONNECT OBN and Navigation System). There are also 6 keys on the steering wheel for controlling the radio, and column switches for the rain sensor, trip computer and Cruise Control.
The colours and part surface treatments have also been picked to convey pleasurable sensations to the sight and touch. A light shade has been chosen for the passenger compartment to make it look big and airy. Other surfaces feature different types of embossing (the finish that gives plastic the rough feel typical of hide) to emphasise the car’s refinement – eg the upper part of the facia – or its practicality, as in the case of the oddments compartments where the treatment also serves as scratch-proofing. An opaque finish has also been applied to the plastics to ensure the various parts are a pleasure to touch and behold.
The control panel is also new. This part differs from specification to specification and offers fully redesigned graphics and all-new displays. The displays also offer a greater number of functions and rows (up to 3 in the case of the multifunctional display) to convey information to the driver more effectively.
A quick glance at the power units available reveals the most extensive and comprehensive engine and gearbox range in its segment: three diesels and four petrol units plus a revolutionary bi-power system (petrol and methane) that is making its debut in this market band. All come with four cylinders and make up a product range that can satisfy the most disparate needs.
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| The Fire 1.4 engine |
Common features include: flexibility, running economy and respect for the environment. No fewer than three of these engines are brand new and making their first appearance on the new Punto: the 1.3 Multijet 16v, the 1.9 Multijet and the 1.4 16v Fire. These are complemented on the new model by a powerful 96 kW/130 bhp 1.8 16v unit, the reliable 85 bhp 1.9 JTD (Unijet) and two tried and tested 1.2 units (8v and 16v) from the Fire family, now with some parts revised and improved performance.
The Dualogic and Speedgear transmissions allow Fiat to achieve a double record in this segment. Back in 1999, the Punto was the first mini to be fitted with a Speedgear and now the new model is the only car with a power-assisted transmission applied to a Multijet engine.
The Dualogic device is available with the manual gearboxes combined with the 1.3 Multijet 16v and 1.2 8v engines and features an innovative transmission system. On this, an automatic servo device automates the clutch and gear lever to retain all the attributes of a dry clutch and manual gearbox (weight, strength and reliability, low energy consumption). Speeds are engaged by means of a lever on the tunnel. Because no clutch pedal is present, the device is controlled simply by moving the lever: forward to change up (towards the ‘+’ symbol), back to change down (toward the ‘-‘ symbol). A simple push is sufficient to ensure the transmission makes a fast, accurate gear change. The Dualogic is said to be ‘the best compromise for those who prefer an automatic but do not wish to give up the satisfaction and fun of a manual gearbox’.
Apart from the new Punto, you can count, on the fingers of one hand, the cars in this segment with an electronically-controlled CVT (continuously variable transmission). In 1999, the previous Punto that originally launched the Speedgear was the only one in the world. In this type of device, a pulley and steel belt system offers a continuously variable transmission ratio to ensure a gear range (ratio between longest ratio and shortest ratio) that is much broader than on conventional automatics.
The new Punto’s transmission offers allows a choice between a fully servo-assisted drive (when it works in the same way as a conventional automatic transmission) and manual management with sequential shifts. Two gearboxes in one – and more: when the unit changes over to automatic, the driver can choose between two operating modes: one designed for performance and the other for comfort. All in all, the driver can always choose between three driving modes: two automatic and one manual (sequential). When in manual mode, gear changes can be made without taking your foot off the pedal and six speeds are available.
The new Speedgear gearbox is always complemented by a torque converter in place of an electromagnetic clutch and this brings considerable benefits. It reduces fuel consumption and increases the engine brake effect (because converter locking is governed by gearbox software). Take-off is smoother, steep gradients can be climbed without problems and parking manoeuvres are easier. The electronically controlled device ensures smooth operation and jerk-free management of transients (acceleration and over-run) because the accelerator operating signal may be filtered.
This Fiat is the first car in segment B to offer a dual methane and petrol fuel system. The version is equipped with two independent fuel systems. The car normally runs on methane and only needs petrol for start up. After that, it automatically switches to the other system. In this way, the petrol fuel system remains efficient and is only required when the gas in the cylinders is about to run out. It is, however, always possible to change from methane to petrol and vice versa voluntarily by pressing a button on the facia.
The new Punto is claimed to be one of the safest cars on the road with six airbags. The braking system features two independent crossover hydraulic circuits to assure prompt, gradual braking and shorter stopping distances. Pedal travel is short so that brake servo specifications may be exploited to the full. Drum brakes are fitted at the rear on all versions, with the exception of the out-and-out sporty HGT equipped with 1.8 16v and 1.9 Multijet engines that is fitted with discs.
Because diesel engines are heavier than petrol engines, they are fitted with a variable load-proportioning valve that distributes the braking effort correctly to the rear axle under all load conditions and reduces stopping distances. The load-proportioning valve is electronic on versions with ABS.
The Hill Holder is a special feature in the new Punto which helps drivers on hill starts. It operates when the ESP control unit perceives a change in vehicle gradient by means of a longitudinal acceleration sensor located on the floor under the passenger seat. During hill starts, the control unit is ready to intervene when first gear is engaged and both brake and clutch pedals are pressed. Front caliper pressure is thus maintained for about 1.5 seconds after the brake pedal is released so that the driver can set off with ease. The Hill Holder function does not operate when setting off downhill with the first speed engaged. The system performs in the same way with reverse engaged: during downhill starts, the system is active but deactivated during hill starts.
Availability of the new Punto in Malaysia is unknown, presumably dependent on Torino Motors clearing existing stocks of the previous Punto.
