With the beautiful landscape of the Region of Valparaíso as a backdrop, Fiat re-launched the Punto in Chile, the new model known as the Punto Classic, slotting into its ever widening range. Thanks to its modern design and high level of equipment the Punto Classic reaffirms the presence of the brand in the Chilean hatchback segment.

Few models leave a deep mark in a market as varied and highly competitive as the Chilean. However, the Punto Classic is a model that is set to generate a profound impact on the national scene, thanks to its attractive aesthetics and its impressive performance in the city. After some years of absence, the Punto Classic returns to the local Chilean terrain, landing from Italy with important new developments.

The Punto Classic arrives more equipped than ever before. With two airbags, air conditioning, a complete electrical pack that includes centralised door locking and electric windows, this new car comes with everything necessary to satisfy those who seek an indictment urban remarkable performance. Its engine is the 1,242 cc Fire with an output of 60 hp at 5,000 rpm delivering a good performance in the city, thanks to its weight-power rate and especially its frugal fuel consumption in the urban cycle.

With its roomy interior including q generous trunk, the Punto Classic arrives in the hatchback segment where Fiat is a strong competitor in the Chilean market, thanks to other the Italian brand’s models such as Palio and recently launched Grande Punto. Thus, a classic youth returns to Chile, arriving from Italy more modern and better equipped than ever, with all the spirit that characterises Punto Classic, the ideal car for the adventures in a city where the design of the car does not go unnoticed.

Chile is an unusual new car market in South America, and locally Fiat sells a wider range of passenger car and LCV models than almost any other regional market. Almost uniquely, several of the models sold in Chile are directly imported from Europe, including the new Grande Punto which arrived on the local market from Italy well before the Brazilian-built version was launched, and which continues to be sold in European specification. Likewise the tiny Panda and New Ducato van are both also imported from Europe, and Chile remains one of just a handful of Latin American markets where these models are available. The local range also includes a swage of Brazilian-built models including the Palio (recently launched in Chile in Palio 2008 specification), Siena, Idea, Stilo, Fiorino and Strada.

Meanwhile, while the Punto is seeing its sales being phased out in Europe thanks to the arrival of the Grande Punto; however the popular B-segment hatchback is now set to have a future in South America. It is widely believed that it will form the basis of Fiat's proposed new low-cost car which will replace the long-running Palio based range in the region. Emphasising the lifespan that smaller Fiats have here, the Mille, which is a mildly revised version of the long-extinct European Uno, is a best-selling entry-level model in Brazil, where it is built at the Betim plant, and according to Fiat Automóveis, it is expected to remain in production until 2014.

by Claudio Perlini