The Fiat Grande is not only bigger, but also significantly sexier than its light car Punto sibling. Due to make its début at the Frankfurt Show, the Grande is destined for South African shores in the first quarter of next year.
The Fiat Grande is not only bigger, but also significantly sexier than its light car Punto sibling. Due to make its début at the Frankfurt Show, the Grande is destined for South African shores in the first quarter of next year.
The arrival of the all-new Grande Punto will not signal the end of the Punto, which is currently available on the South African market and will stay in production for the foreseeable future… CARtoday.com reported this week that the Fiat Group would launch 20 redesigned Alfa Romeo, Fiat and Lancia products as well as five new models, aimed at introducing the Italian brand to previously-unexplored markets, over the next four years.
One of the first of Fiat’s new-wave products will be the Grande Punto, which was designed from the outset to be a larger than most vehicles in the light car class. It is 4,03 m long, 1,68 m wide, stands 1,49 m high and has a 2,51 m-wheelbase.
It will initially be available in three- and five- door body styles and four distinct versions.
Designed by Italdesign-Giugiaro and Centro Stile Fiat, the Grande Punto sporty front end is a little reminiscent of the that of the Maserati Coupé (teardrop headlights, trapezoidal fog lights and the wide grille and front air intake) and the interior is said to be the “epitome of Italian style, thanks to the quality of materials used” and the “bright and friendly feel” of the cabin environment.
The range is powered by petrol and diesel engines that conform to Euro 4 emission standards. At the launch there will be two petrol engine options: 48 kW 1,2-litre 8-valve and 57 kW 1,4-litre 8-valve four-cylinder units.
There will also be four turbodiesel models: a 56 kW 1,3-litre 16-valve MultiJet, 67 kW 1,3 MultiJet (with a variable geometry turbine) and 89 kW and 97 kW versions of the 1,9-litre MultiJet.
The engine line-up for South Africa has not been finalised yet, a spokesman for Fiat Auto SA said recently.
