Fiat Punto 90hp in July

Fiat is contemplating the launch of a new version of the Fiat Punto in July. The company is all set to roll out a 90 hp Fiat Grande Punto Diesel, which was showcased at the 2010 Auto Expo in New Delhi. The Fiat Grande Punto is targeted at the young and urban audience and to lure this cash rich Indian youth the car would also flaunt funky electric sunroof, sporty upholstery, a rear spoiler, sport red decals, blacked-out headlamps, bigger tyres and dual colour interior leather seats. But this model is likely to be pegged at Rs 7 lakh which is above the other Fiat Punto models. But the model would co exist with the other models. The 90 bhp Fiat Punto is likely to be offered in top-end ‘Emotion’ and ‘Emotion Pack’ variants. According to the official spokesperson of Fiat India, “We will launch the “Fiat Punto 90hp” in India during July. We will not call it Sports.” The Punto Sport would sport a 1.3-litre 90bhp multijet diesel engine which powers the Fiat Linea as well.

These upgrades and add ones are being done to lure more and more buyers as the hatchback segment is getting very competitive. The pressure of increasing input costs is also a worrisome factor.

According to the sales numbers for the month of June Fiat India has not been able to have sustained growth. The company’s domestic market sales went down during June’10 by 12.2 per cent at 2,137 units as against 2,474 units last year. The good news is only in the exports that rose by 45.7 per cent to 137 units during the same month from 94 units in June’09. Overall, sales went doem by 11.5 per cent to 2,274 units from the 2,568 in the previous year.

Right now the Fiat Punto 1.3 liter Multijet diesel engine comes only with an ordinary turbocharger and produces 76 hp. But with the alterations taking place now Fiat Punto would have a 1.3 liter Multi-jet engine that will have a VGT (Variable Geometry Turbocharger) from the Fiat Linea. The VGT would give the Grande Punto more power that would boost its output to 90 hp and torque to 209 Nm. The gearbox is also expected to be tweaked.