Fiat Brazil has just launched a locally-built version of the Grande Punto aimed at the Latin American markets which introduces advanced new technology to the region and features 'Flex Fuel' specific 1.4- and 1.8-litre engines. The Giorgetto Giugiaro-styled 'supermini', which has been a great success in B-segment across Europe, now arrives in South America and will form a key part of Fiat Brazil's future marketing strategy.

Along with the soon-to-arrive Linea sedan, the Grande Punto gives Fiat Brazil a model with which to push itself upmarket, reaching for customers who normally purchase cars of more premium standing. To achieve this aim the Grande Punto in Brazil incorporates features such as the cutting-edge Blue&Me infotelematic package which was developed by Fiat Group Automobiles and Microsoft's Automotive Business Unit. This technology is a market first for Brazil.

Two engines are available for the model launch, the familiar Fiat 1.4-litre FIRE unit, and a GM-sourced 1.8-litre 4-cylinder engine (eventually to be replaced by a new engine based on Fiat's 'Torque' unit). Both power plants incorporate dual fuel ('Flex Fuel') technology which allows petrol or alcohol to be used either in pure form or in any mixture ratio. The Brazilian market is today dominated by dual fuel optional cars.

The 1.4 8v engine, fitted with a Magneti Marelli fuel injection system, offers 85 CV (petrol) or 86 CV (alcohol) power at 5,750 rpm and maximum torque of 12.4 kgm (petrol) or 12.5 kgm (alcohol) at 3,500 rpm. Top speed is 162 km/h on either mixture while the 0-100 km/h dash is achieved in 13.8 seconds (petrol) or 13.6 seconds (alcohol). This unit offers fuel consumption of 12.9 km/l (petrol) or 9.1 km/l (alcohol) on the urban cycle and 16.8 km/l (petrol) or 12.4 km/l (alcohol) on the extra-urban cycle.

The 1.8 8v unit, which uses a Delphi-sourced fuel injection system, offers 113 CV (petrol) or 115 CV (alcohol) at 5,750 rpm and torque of 18.0 kgm (petrol) or 18.5 kgm (alcohol) at 2,800 rpm. Max speed is 181 km/h (petrol) or 183 km/h (alcohol) while 0-100 km/h is achieved in 10.8 seconds (petrol) or 10.2 seconds (alcohol). Thus unit offers fuel consumption of 12.1 km/l (petrol) or 8.3 km/l (alcohol) on the urban cycle and 16.2 km/l (petrol) or 11.2 km/l (alcohol) on the extra-urban cycle.

The 'Sporting' version of the 1.8, will be the range-topper of the Grande Punto range in Brazil. It has slightly sportier characteristics than the 1.8 HLX. Max power and torque are similar, but top speed is 182 k/h (petrol) or 184 km/h (alcohol) while 0-100 km/h is achieved in 10.5 seconds (petrol) or 10.5 seconds (alcohol). Fuel consumption cycle is the same. The Sporting includes features such as leather steering wheel and gearknob, electric windows all round, Dualdrive, radio with CD and MP3 player and sporty instruments as standard while options include Blue&Me and a Skydome roof.

All the engines are fitted to a 5-speed gearbox (plus reverse). The Brazilian Grande Punto features different architecture and interiors to the European version. It is 4030mm long, 1687mm wide and 1,505mm high, and with a wheelbase of 2510mm. The petrol tank holds 48 litres. The brake discs are 257 mm in diameter at the front and 203 mm (1.4) or 228 mm (1.8) at the rear. The 1.4 and 1.8 models get 6.0x15 alloy wheels shod with 195/60R15 tyres while the 1.8 Sporting has 6.0x16 wheels fitted with 195/55R16 tyres. The rear trunk holds a very useful 280 litres.
 

Fiat Grande Punto 1.8 Sporting (Brazil) Standard Equipment

Body-coloured bumpers; Body-coloured door handles; Electric body-coloured door mirrors; Chromed rear exhaust pipe; Darkened side and rear windows; Rear spoiler; Side skirts; Leather steering wheel and gear lever knob; Sports instrument graphics; 16-inch alloy wheels and 195/55 tyres; Front spoiler; Fiat Code (electronic anti-theft device); Electric front windows and electric door locks; Remote control door release; Electric windows active without key; One-touch driver’s side electric windows; Electric rear windows with anti-pinch sensor; Follow me Home device; Illuminated luggage compartment; Trip Computer; My car system (personalised car functions); Third rear seat with 3-point seat-belt; Third rear head-restraint; Driver’s seat with height adjustment; Height-adjustable front and rear head-restraints; Steering wheel with height and reach adjustment; Dualdrive™ electric power steering; Manual climate control with pollen filter; Cruise control; Front deflectors; ABS; Front airbags with Smart dual stage system; Crumple-zone front structure; FPS Fire Prevention System; Front seat-belts with pretensioners, load limiters and fastened sensor; Anti-whiplash front seats; Front and rear seats with anti-submarining cross-member; Alarm; Radio with CD + MP3 player; Steering wheel mounted radio controls with 6 keys.

Engine: No. of cylinders, arrangement 4, in line, front transverse; No. of valves 2; Capacity (cc) 1,796; Compression ratio 11:1; Max. power output: 113 hp (petrol)/115 hp (alcohol) at 5,500 rpm; Max. torque: 18.0 kgm at 2,800 rpm (petrol)/18.5 kgm at 2,800 rpm (alcohol); Timing gear (control) 1 OHC with mechanical tappets; Fuel supply MPI phased sequential electronic; Ignition Static with digital electronic control; Transmission: Drive front; Clutch control hydraulic; Gearbox, no. of speeds 5; Gearbox: 1st 3.909 : 1; 2nd 2.238 : 1; 3rd 1.520 : 1; 4th 1.156 : 1; 5th 0.946 : 1; Reverse 3.909 : 1; Gearbox family C514; Final drive 3.867 : 1; Steering: Type rack and pinion with hydraulic power steering; Turning circle (m) 10.9; Brakes - D (disc) - T (drum); Front: (mm) D 257 x 22 (ventilated); Rear: (mm) T 228 x 40; Suspension: Front independent MacPherson type, telescopic dampers, anti-roll bar with small con rods and spherical joint; Rear torsion axle, telescopic hydraulic dampers; Measurements: Wheelbase (mm) 2501; Front/rear track (mm) front 1471 / rear 1467; Length / Width / Height (m) 4030 / 1687 / 1505; Luggage capacity VDA (dm3) 280; Wheels: Tyres 195/55 R16; Weights - Supplies: Weight ready for the road DIN (kg) 1170; Max. weight towable (kg); unbraked 400; Fuel tank capacity (liters) 48; Performance: Top speed (km/h) 182 km/h (petrol)/184 km/h (alcohol); Acceleration (sec.): 0 a 100 km/h: 10,5 s (petrol)/10,3 s (alcohol); Consumption: Urban cycle:  12,1 km/l (petrol)/8,3 km/l (alcohol) out of town: 16,2 km/l (petrol)/11,2 km/l (alcohol)