08.07.2004 The Fiat Punto has arrived in South Africa for the first time with an exciting line-up of five petrol AND diesel versions, the best-selling small Fiat now continuING its success story ON MAINLAND AFRICA

The Fiat Punto has come to South Africa for the first time, a comprehensive line-up of five petrol and diesel versions of the recently facelifted model are now available on the local market.

Fiat Auto South Africa see the Punto as ideally positioned to complement the current Palio and Stilo, filling a gap in their line-up in terms of both pricing and market coverage. 

"The Fiat Punto is a technologically inspired model range that will make a strong statement in the small car segment of the South African market," Fiat Auto SA told Italiaspeed, "We firmly believe that it's streets ahead of its main B-segment rivals which include the Citroen C2, Renault Clio and Peugeot 206."

And so it is, the Punto becomes the only model line up in the segment offering a full petrol and diesel range with 16V engines.

Five models have been introduced to cover a spectrum of buyer’s needs with both three- and five-door versions available powered by three different engines, the 1.2 16V, 1.3 JTD Multijet and the 1.8 16V.

“If ever a car stood for Fiat in the last 15 years, it is Punto,” says Giorgio Gorelli, Managing Director for Fiat Auto South Africa. “It makes a bold statement about Fiat’s quality and technology and the global power of Fiat as a mainstream motor company.”

Fiat are a really growing a brand in South Africa. From the solid volumes of the Uno, to the arrival of the 'World Car' range, the Palio, Siena and Weekend, the marque is making a technological onslaught on the South African market that is steadily gaining momentum.

The recent growth of fresh and exciting new Fiat products has quickly broadened South African’s minds about what to expect from Fiat.

"The Multipla made fresh strides in the MPV segment, the unique Palio 'Go' offers class leading innovations, while the Stilo has generated new excitement in the C-segment," a Fiat Auto SA spokesperson continued.

Fiat Auto SA have taken the Palio onto the race tracks this year with a new team, running three cars, and the new car has already tasted victory last month at Zwatkops against tough and developed opposition.

This is a strong new era in the history of Fiat Auto SA, and they now believe the local market is ready for their next step, the launch of the new Punto.

They are confident that the new Punto will be a hit. "The Fiat Punto is an international success story and without doubt a star of the future for us, the figures speak for themselves, more than five million Europeans have bought Punto."

The first model available in the new range is the Punto 1.2 16V, in both Active and Dynamic guise, followed by the technological marvel of the range, the Fiat Punto 1.3 JTD Multijet, also in Active and Dynamic trim levels. The performance star of the range is the three-door Fiat Punto HGT powered by a 1.8-litre engine.

The 1.3 JTD is one of Fiat’s Multijet engines and features the latest in common rail diesel technology. By using more injections per combustion cycle, the Multijet engine improves refinement, lowers engine noise and improves performance and economy.

The 1.3-litre twin cam 16-valve turbo diesel engine is the most powerful in its class delivering 51kW at 4 000 r/min and 180Nm at just 1 750 r/min. It allows the Punto 1.3 JTD Multijet a top speed of 164km/h and a 0-100km/h time of 13,4 seconds. Fuel consumption figures are amongst the best in the segment with a combined cycle of 4,5 litres/100km. 

Where most of the Punto’s South African competitors at this level are using eight-valve engines, the 1,2-litre Fiat engine features 16 valves and double overhead cams. The engine also features a drive-by-wire throttle. With 59kW at 5,000rpm and 114Nm at 4,000rpm, the Punto 1.2 16V has a 0-100km/h time of 11,4 seconds and a top speed of 172km/h.

Fuel consumption figures are also amongst the best in the segment: 7.6 litres/100km for an urban cycle, 4.8 litres/100km for the out of town cycle and a combined cycle of 5.8 litres/100km.

Bringing some excitement to the range is the Punto HGT hot-hatch. Powered by a DOHC 1.8-litre 16-valve engine, 90% of the 164Nm torque peak is available between 1,800 and 6,500rpm. Power is rated at 96kW at 6,300rpm, enough to offer a 0-100km/h time of 8.6 seconds and a top speed of 205km/h.

Specification levels of the Punto range are high with dual airbags standard across the range. The base Active trim level includes electric front windows, remote central locking, air conditioning, follow-me-home headlights, 14” steel wheels, Dualdrive electric power steering with a CITY mode and a radio with tape and six speakers.

The Dynamic trim level adds a radio CD player with six speakers, ABS & EBD, heated electric door mirrors, a 60/40 split rear seat, isofix child seat attachments, front fog lights and 14” Alloy wheels.

The flagship HGT trim level adds over and above the Dynamic spec cruise control, side airbags, ESP traction control, radio CD system with MP3 player and subwoofer, leather steering wheel and gear knob and 15” alloy wheels.

Fiat Auto SA told us finally, "We have set no volume targets as yet, we are looking to satisfy market demand which we expect to be rapid. The Punto is a tough, fun car, ideally suited to the local market, it's been a European success story, now we expect it to be a South African one as well."

Fiat Punto South AfrCian range: Full DETAIL & Specifications