Fiat Grande Punto coming to India.
July 30, 2007 – 10:43 pm by Ashish Jha
Luca di Montezemolo had reasons to be worried. Not a man to get bogged down, he took the challenge of putting Fiat back from shambles to the peak of the mountain. For this, he needed a car, a good one at that. A car that would appeal to the masses and bring in good numbers. The Grande Punto was just that.
It turned around Fiat’s fortune in a way that could be possible only in dreams. The Grande Punto is the third generation of the Punto and was launched globally in 2005. Styled by Giorgetto Giugiaro, the Grande Punto has a beautiful body to exhibit with sloped back headlamps and muscular wheel arches which lends it a mean yet attractive look. The rear section integrates well into the bumper and the large tail lamps give added character to the overall stance of the Grande Punto.
The interior are also pleasing and compliment the overall aura of the car. The red coloured display on white dials look funky and the layout of the dash is neat. The ergonomically placed controls and knobs are within easy reach. The steering wheel sports buttons to control the audio system. The interior is airy and comfortable. Build quality is something that Fiat has always been appreciated for and the Grande Punto continues that trend. The plastics inside have a built-to-last feel to them and should age well with time.
The car is likely to offer a choice of three engines. A 1.2L and a 1.4L petrol that pump out 65 and 77 horses respectively will be joined in by a 1.3L multi-jet diesel engine that Fiat is now famed for. This engine is known for its tractable nature and delivers 66PS of power to the front
wheels. Our speculation speaks that since a 1.6L motor is already on offer in the Palio Stile, something similar might be presented with the Grande Punto as well. The car will be packed with safety features like ABS and EBD, though the same cannot be said about the airbags as of now.
Entering the action-packed B segment, this car will be at war against names like the Maruti Suzuki Swift, Hyundai Getz and Chevrolet UV-A. Skoda will do its bit by making things interesting with the launch of the Fabia in this segment. The Grande Punto will roll out from the Ranjangaon facility of Fiat near Pune. The company revealed that it will have high levels of localization for the car and this should help as far as the pricing is concerned.
We suspect that the Fiat Grande Punto will be priced 5 lakh onwards and might see the upper limit close to 6.5lakh. How close are we in our guess? We’ll find out soon.
13 Responses to “Fiat Grande Punto coming to India.”
Hi,
These days Fiat cars has started making unique and
stylish design and now PUNTO- Designed by the famous Giorgetto Giugiaro.
The boot capacity is 264 litres less than GETZ Prime(290lts) and Skoda Fabia( {300lts} to be launched this year or next year in Jan-Feb)
Height 1490mm less than Swift(1530), Getz Prime(1515)and few mm than U-VA(1495),Skoda fabia(1498).
Wheel Base 2510mm, better than Swift U-VA etc.
Seeing its design seems that INDICA has been stretched.
Rounder Rear Part gives INDICA look from rear if forget about lights and moreover rear visibility is limited. Its strong character is evident from the front angle with the elongated headlights set into its frame. But considering safety aspects Punto has been given maximum rating for passenger safety in Euro NCAP (European agency for safety testing).
Feature wise (Armrest with storage bin, Electric power steering {with a city mode, making the steering lighter for easier parking} ,60:40 rear split seats, electric front windows {one touch up and down on driver’s side} and they work without the ignition switched ) are excellent but all depends on the price of the Indian version.
Considering its price when competing with SWIFT, UVA price will definitely starts from 4.25 plus (Base model), as Fiat Stile starts from 3.6lacs. But if it is 5lacs and plus then its better putting little efforts go for sedan.
Can any body have idea that it is loaded with six speed gearbox?
By Sanjeev Sharma on Jul 31, 2007
Hi Everyone,
For more information like specifications, colours, fuel consumption etc, refer to the following link.
www.fiatcars.com.au
Happy & Safe Driving
By Sanjeev Sharma on Aug 2, 2007
Fiat plans to price its new Grande Punto and Linea models very aggressively when they are launched in India in mid-2008. While the Grande Punto should be priced at par with cars like the Getz 1.3 at Rs 5 lakh, the Linea would give the Maruti SX4 a run for its money at a Rs 6.5 lakh sticker price.
SOURCE: www.autocarindia.com
Chevrolet is also going to launch BEAT (M300)soon —— between SPARK and U-VA.
Great BOOM IN SMALL CAR MARKET
By Sanjeev Sharma on Aug 2, 2007
Can anyone tell us ,that when the Grande Punto will be launched? Like the exact date or atleast the month and year?
By Siddharth on Sep 12, 2007
Chevrolet’s new aveo U-VA 2008
1) This new aveo U-VA will be the 2008 avtar of aveo
U-VA for the indian market and will have the same engine which powers the current U-VA.
2) Body coloured bumper, Centerally placed Logo. Sporty fog lights , Different and stylish bonnet follows the lines of radiator grill. SO MANY THINGS.
If somebody is planning for U-VA and people who are thinking to buy car next year then they can think for this car.
Send me the request here only or mail me, I will send you the pictures and more details.
Free feel to contact me on this emailid
hello143143@gmail.com
By Sanjeev Sharma on Sep 13, 2007
Fiat had such a strong brand equity in India prior to the Fiat uno being launched. Fiat was a household name in the 1960’s and 70’s due to the splendid Fiat Millecento , 1100D, Premier President and later Padmini. The Uno came was an outdated model but a tough and reliable car. the dealers messed up the sales and service and gave it a bad name. Soon the Palio came along. though a very good car again the dealers had their way and the Palio failed.Its fuel consumption (Petrol model) is also nothing home to write about.The poor resale values speak volumes about it.The older Premiers commanded a premium and the resale value of a few years old car was almost like a new one.
Lets hope Fiat India does not mess up its act with the Punto. The Punto has revived Fiat’s fortunes the world over. The same act needs to be revived and Fiat’s fortune in India also should be revived.
Fiat and Tata must get going- explain in ads that they are getting a car that will be tough with solid build quality and that has the 1.3 l multijet CRDI Fiat engine.
By Dr Anjan Chatterjee on Sep 17, 2007
Making a good car is one thing but marketing it well,is a entirely different story.Fiat has been in india for a long time now,i practically grew up in a fiat and so did many others.It is a sad affair that the Fiat has still not learnt its lessons.You gotta have a good service and sales network before you launch a car!!!
By pp singh on Sep 18, 2007
please mail me the all car’s price list and it’s features,,,,, thank u…..
By mithun on Sep 29, 2007
Hi..Does anyone have any idea when this New Aveo U-VA is going to get launch in 2008? and what would be the price band?
By Satwat on Dec 18, 2007
Want to own a cute car, see Fiat 500 about to launch in UK on 21st Jan 2008 and I understand that it will came in India as an inported with higher price tag than the currently available cars of same category.
It is a three door hatch.
For details look at Fiat uk site or Autocar UK
By Subrata on Jan 7, 2008
Does anybody know when the Grande Punto is making its debut here? It will obviously be a better car than the swift, which I’ve booked already, but am having misgivings about. You know, the build quality issues… So i want to know how long I’ll have to wait to see the punto on Indian shores. Is it worth putting the swift on hold for the Punto?
By arjun on Feb 5, 2008
Anybody has an Idea if the Fiat is going to hike prices for its Cars in June 2008.
By Naveen H on May 28, 2008
it will be launched in first quarter next year as told by company’s top bosses.
I have driven it in England
it is better looking than any other small car in India, even better than most of the sedans.
10/10 for Punto
By garry on Jun 5, 2008