RE: Punto Sporting Warms Up Fiat Fans
Monday 6th August 2007
that is until Fiat re-launches the historic Abarth brand later this year. As its name suggests, the Punto 1.4 T-Jet 120 Sporting uses a 120bhp version of Fiat’s new 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol engine. It will hit 60mph from rest in 8.9sec and tops out at 121mph. Despite this brisk performance, Fiat says the car only emits 155g/km of CO2 and will do 42.8mpg on a combined run.
Hotter Abarth versions arrive later this yearHowever, this car is an aperitif before the main course arrives in September - that’s when Fiat re-launches the Abarth brand with two more powerful Punto variants. Both Abarth versions will still use the new T-Jet engine, but power will be turned up to 155bhp and 180bhp, respectively. Both should arrive in UK showrooms by the end of the year.
Punto Sporting Warms Up Fiat Fans
Hotter Abarth versions planned for September
You’re looking at the hottest Punto yet. Well,
There are enough cosmetic tweaks to excite hot hatch fans too, including 17in alloys, sports seats, roof spoiler and a chrome tailpipe. Prices will start from £11,995 for the three-door version, which is £1000 cheaper than the 118bhp Mini Cooper.
Hotter Abarth versions arrive later this year
Discussion
Also interested in how the punto is. Looks v.nice, and are good value. (my dad's van has the 1.9d engine in 105bhp tune and it's not bad at all so the 130 must be pretty good in a small car)
120bhp from a 1.4 turbo isn't much good, unless it has a decent amount of torque? 8.9s to 60 isn't too bad I suppose but why not go for the diesel instead?
120bhp from a 1.4 turbo isn't much good, unless it has a decent amount of torque? 8.9s to 60 isn't too bad I suppose but why not go for the diesel instead?
You can't fault the punto for value for money and entertainment. Ok, so the build isn't the best but nor was the build on my misses Mk5 Golf GTi.
I paid 10k for my '07 1.9TD ex-demo with 3000 miles. Originally i'd ordered a 1.4 petrol as it was cheaper, but the 1.9TD is pretty impressive and the price was spot on. The engine comes from Vauxhall, so should be strong and easy to chip (although the car may fall apart!).
The dealers need sorting though! with the 500 and some better models on the way, they get to get themselves together as currently the two that i've dealt with have been shocking!!!
I paid 10k for my '07 1.9TD ex-demo with 3000 miles. Originally i'd ordered a 1.4 petrol as it was cheaper, but the 1.9TD is pretty impressive and the price was spot on. The engine comes from Vauxhall, so should be strong and easy to chip (although the car may fall apart!).
The dealers need sorting though! with the 500 and some better models on the way, they get to get themselves together as currently the two that i've dealt with have been shocking!!!
Matt555 said:
You can't fault the punto for value for money and entertainment. Ok, so the build isn't the best but nor was the build on my misses Mk5 Golf GTi.
I paid 10k for my '07 1.9TD ex-demo with 3000 miles. Originally i'd ordered a 1.4 petrol as it was cheaper, but the 1.9TD is pretty impressive and the price was spot on. The engine comes from Vauxhall, so should be strong and easy to chip (although the car may fall apart!).
The dealers need sorting though! with the 500 and some better models on the way, they get to get themselves together as currently the two that i've dealt with have been shocking!!!
the engine comes from vauxhall? mate it's the other way round fiat are europes biggest diesel engine producers. after the awful gm split that was the only thing left in the deal for them to build there cracking multijet engines.I paid 10k for my '07 1.9TD ex-demo with 3000 miles. Originally i'd ordered a 1.4 petrol as it was cheaper, but the 1.9TD is pretty impressive and the price was spot on. The engine comes from Vauxhall, so should be strong and easy to chip (although the car may fall apart!).
The dealers need sorting though! with the 500 and some better models on the way, they get to get themselves together as currently the two that i've dealt with have been shocking!!!
I've got a 55-plate (ex press car, actually!) 1.3 90PS Multijet and, despite lack of initial low-down grunt, picks up really well, is very economical and hasn't missed a beat in the 12,000 miles I've stuck on it in 6 months. Thoroughly recommend one, though not sure if this power output is still available in the Grande Punto. And I think the build quality isn't as bad as some people think. Just wish I'd gone for the 1.9......
sureshotkel said:
Matt555 said:
You can't fault the punto for value for money and entertainment. Ok, so the build isn't the best but nor was the build on my misses Mk5 Golf GTi.
I paid 10k for my '07 1.9TD ex-demo with 3000 miles. Originally i'd ordered a 1.4 petrol as it was cheaper, but the 1.9TD is pretty impressive and the price was spot on. The engine comes from Vauxhall, so should be strong and easy to chip (although the car may fall apart!).
The dealers need sorting though! with the 500 and some better models on the way, they get to get themselves together as currently the two that i've dealt with have been shocking!!!
the engine comes from vauxhall? mate it's the other way round fiat are europes biggest diesel engine producers. after the awful gm split that was the only thing left in the deal for them to build there cracking multijet engines.I paid 10k for my '07 1.9TD ex-demo with 3000 miles. Originally i'd ordered a 1.4 petrol as it was cheaper, but the 1.9TD is pretty impressive and the price was spot on. The engine comes from Vauxhall, so should be strong and easy to chip (although the car may fall apart!).
The dealers need sorting though! with the 500 and some better models on the way, they get to get themselves together as currently the two that i've dealt with have been shocking!!!
here's a fact for ya i got my 1.9 sporting in november of last year and now its just ticked over to 16500 miles...... service next week three new tyre's and a faulty seat and its all smile's yeah you shouldnt have a faulty seat but fiat were great and got it sorted in a couple of hours! they are trying really hard to turn things around i had a 1.6 stilo before that and that was good i hammered it everywhere!!! literally thrashed from new i was young at heart tho then 
insurance is cheap too! group 6 i belive. they do lose alot of money but search around and haggle make sure you get the right options, trust me the leather is worth every 1p of the 600 quid. 3 more months or so then it will be gone in place of the 185bhp abarth or maybe even get an 2.4Ti alfa 159 from autolusso see what the misse's says ay! can i use another 10 grand cough cough MORE for an alfa 
insurance is cheap too! group 6 i belive. they do lose alot of money but search around and haggle make sure you get the right options, trust me the leather is worth every 1p of the 600 quid. 3 more months or so then it will be gone in place of the 185bhp abarth or maybe even get an 2.4Ti alfa 159 from autolusso see what the misse's says ay! can i use another 10 grand cough cough MORE for an alfa Forza_Roma said:
How has the ownership experience been so far Nick, and how long have you had it?
I'm thinking about a Grande Punto, as I think they're really good looking cars. I'd only go for the 1.3 diesel though because of the insurance...
I've had mine for about 10 months now and have had a few teething problems, trim, blue tooth via the steering wheel, sky dome, squeeling rear brakes and a few rattles... but probably the worst thing about these cars is the paper thin body work! I agree with the customer service being poor too and it wasn't until I went to the dealership with the Lambo to pick up a touch up stick that the they started responding and now give me good service...Lol..I'm thinking about a Grande Punto, as I think they're really good looking cars. I'd only go for the 1.3 diesel though because of the insurance...
Edited by Nick Beef on Monday 6th August 17:53
My FIAT Idea 1.9 JTD (not sold in UK with this engine, I think) was a great car. Couldn't fault it. With 100 bhp, fine cruiser on German mortorways, impressive for a mini-mpv.
FIAT service at Belgian importers was absolutely awful. It'd go in for service running fine, would come out all messed up. Had to go back several times. Spares prices were atrocious: disks cost more to replace on that than on the wife's SAAB turbo. I sold it in the end
FIAT service at Belgian importers was absolutely awful. It'd go in for service running fine, would come out all messed up. Had to go back several times. Spares prices were atrocious: disks cost more to replace on that than on the wife's SAAB turbo. I sold it in the end
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