News June 24 2006

It’s real – Fiat cars are back
(and we’ve driven one)

After what seems an age of asking the question “When will Fiat cars return to Australia?” (checking our archive we were asking the question in 2002!) Fiat – via importers Ateco Automotive – have finally made good on their word with the launch of the Fiat Grande Punto here in Australia – known simply as the ‘Punto’.

As explained below, this is a toe in the water for Fiat and – if everything turns out right – we can expect a lot more over the next few years.

“The Fiat Punto will be as influential as all the Fiat small cars before it, such as the Topolino and the Fiat 500, and for the same reasons,” explains David Stone, General Manager for Fiat cars in Australia.

“The new Punto combines space, style, performance, technology and value for money like no other car on the Australian market. For a start, it has been described as looking like the sort of car Maserati would build, if they were making small cars, which is not surprising as it has been styled by the same people! Fiat set the benchmark for design when it comes to space utilisation – getting the most space inside the smallest exterior size – and the Punto is no exception, it has big car space inside, but will fit in small car parking spaces!”

“The Punto is awash with technology, lead by three advanced diesel engines that will, quite simply, change Australian buyers minds on what is the ideal engine for a small car,” says Mr Stone. “The fact that they all mated to six speed gearboxes just confirms Fiat’s technological advantage.”

“Value for money? All versions have cruise control, AirCon, ABS brakes, front electric windows, central locking, power steering and a quality audio system as standard and prices start from $19,990. And, of course it is fun to drive. Nothing less would be expected of a car from Italy!”

The new Punto is just the start for Fiat in Australia. During the next 18 months the Italian car maker plans to add a full range of brand new models to its Australian line-up. Initially they will be sold through the dealers that are already handling Alfa Romeo cars, but as sales build Fiat plans to start appoint Fiat-specific dealers. Fiat commercial vehicles, which have built an enviable reputation in Australia for durability and reliability, will continue to be handled through their own specialist dealer group that focuses on the specific demands of the van user.

For the Australian importer, Ateco Automotive, the launch of Fiat cars represents the third phase of its launch programme for products from the Fiat Group, with Sydney-based importer launching Alfa Romeo into the Australian car market in 1998 and Fiat commercial vehicles in 2000. The company is also the importer for Ferrari and Maserati and, in addition, runs the New Zealand distribution for all these brands, providing it with a wealth of experience and expertise to ensure the success of Fiat in Australia.

“There is no doubt that this is the ideal time for the launch of Fiat in Australia,” says Mr Stone. “The market is clearly moving into smaller cars, as fuel prices rise, but car buyers do not want to give up the performance, style and features that they are accustomed to in larger cars. The new Fiat Punto meets these requirements exactly and we are in no doubt that it will be warmly welcomed in Australia.”

Fiat’s attractive new supermini is the largest car in the highly competitive small car segment, combining class-leading accommodation with high quality build, flexible and practical interiors, comprehensive equipment levels, state-of-the-art technology and the superior driving dynamics of larger, higher segment vehicles.

As a result of top quality construction, research and development, Punto, which has undergone a gruelling testing regime comprising more than 5,000,000 kilometres, also meets the highest safety standards. Benefiting from the company’s unrivalled expertise in the field of small cars, new Punto has been awarded a maximum 5-star safety rating in the gruelling Euro NCAP crash test programme.

Achieving 5 stars for passenger safety, 3 stars for child protection and a further 3 for pedestrian protection, the new Fiat recorded a total of 33 points out of a possible 37 – the highest overall score yet recorded in its market category.

Five versions of the new Punto, priced from $19,990 to $27,990, will be available from launch - three and five door versions with three trim levels – Dynamic, Emotion and Sport. Standard equipment on all versions includes ABS anti-lock braking, cruise control, remote central locking, front, side and curtain airbags, electric front windows, Air Conditioning, a CD player with steering wheel controls, electric operated and heated door mirrors, Dualdrive electric power steering and Follow Me Home headlamps.

This comprehensive equipment package means a very limited options list, with just two items, the glass SkyDome electric sunroof and paint options.

The all-new Punto has already picked up some notable international media awards, including The Golden Steering Wheel (Germany); Auto Europa (Italy), and Best City Car (France).

It goes on sale in Australia with a choice of four powerplants, including the widest diesel engine range in its category, opening with a 1.4 litre 57 kW petrol engine. The range then continues with three of the most sophisticated diesel engines in the market place, all using the Fiat patented Multijet system, with a 1.3 unit offering 66 kW and two 1.9 units, the 88 kW version for the five door and a 96 kW power unit for the range-topping Punto Sport 3 door. All diesel versions have six speed gearboxes to fully maximise the potential of these highly efficient power units.

Future additions to the engine range include a new StarJet 67kw 1.4 litre 16-valve petrol engine, which, along with the option of Dualogic – a clutchless five/six speed speed sequential manual shift with a selectable, fully automatic mode – will be available later in the year. More powerful engine options are ‘in the pipeline’.

These developments will equip the all-new Punto with the widest, most advanced range of engines and transmissions available in small car sector.

With a 5-star Euro NCAP safety rating, the new Punto has a wide range of braking, traction control and stability systems. Along with standard equipment ABS anti-lock brakes, with electronic brakeforce distribution, Punto Multijet 1.9 diesel versions are equipped with ASR to limit wheelspin during acceleration, MSR to modulate brake torque whilst changing down, and a sophisticated ESP to control stability through bends. Vehicles fitted with ESP also benefit from hydraulic brake assistance and a unique Hill Holder function to facilitate smooth hill starts.

With 15,000 orders placed and 100,000 test-drives booked within just five days of the new Punto going on sale in Europe, Fiat expects to better initial global sales predictions of 360,000 cars per annum. Over 150,000 versions of the all-new Punto have been sold since its launch in late September last year.

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