Fiat Grande Punto. EDIT : Launch on 17th June!

isldhn · 22nd December 2008, 13:54

Looks more 'Vista-ish' from the rear, with those raked up tail lights. Funny how some cars look so much different in different colours. Punto in red or blue as seen in some advertisements looks far more appeasing than the one spied. But great catch nonetheless. This shows that FIAL still has plans of launching 'Punto' in the Indian market inspite of the Linea fiasco.

FenderBender · 22nd December 2008, 13:55

Great stuff Naikpranav, Its another hot hatch...two side streaks look great from rear side. Got vista style stop lamps on rear bumper (looks like it?).

raul · 22nd December 2008, 14:03

Nice pics, the car looks well put together and spacious, and nothing sticking out like a sore thumb design wise. It looks more composed to me than the Linea.

With the multijet and priced well it will definitely be one of the top considerations in the hatchback space, along with the i20. Good times for hatchback buyers next year.

aaggoswami · 22nd December 2008, 14:08

Can be a segment leader if it delivers value. Fantastic scoop.
Rear look not what I like, but then styling parameters and definitions deffer from person to person.

If the linea is 1248cc, I hope that they dont give us 56 bhp 800cc diesel. This car must have atleast 1.6 ltr engine in diesel and petrol format. i20 seems to have a very tough competetion. Pricing will be key.

hillram · 22nd December 2008, 14:11

It sure is a hot hatch and Im wating for it desparatly.

theMAG · 22nd December 2008, 14:21

Nice looking car. I truly hope Fiat India doesnt screw it this last time.

khan_sultan · 22nd December 2008, 14:34

Nice to see the punto -- though it looks very very bland from the pics. Something doesn't seem right -- maybe the white color and the absence of alloys etc..

Quote:

Originally Posted by naikpranav

.... didnt get pictures of the linea as it was hidden and with funny graphics all over. ....

mmmm... That's strange, LINEA still hidden & masked with funny graphics all over. Why would it be masked now? It would have been launched by now -- if the Mumbai attacks had not happened.

naikpranav · 22nd December 2008, 14:42

Thank you mods for doing the needful !

As I said earlier, these were shot in the parking lot of the Dukes retreat, Khandala. Had gone with the GF for lunch in out Swift D, was admiring the car from a distance when i noticed two of these.

interior pics were not possible because of the 1.3mp camera phone from the paleolithic age and a constant bickering sound of why do i need to get excited when I see a car that hasn't even been launched !

However, that said, the GF did have her own comments about the quality of materials and the design of the ORVMs. (we're both designers) And that I don't need another hatch, (have the Wagon R, Swift D, Fabia Tdi, bought in that order) though I don't mind getting rid of the Swift D.

amit · 22nd December 2008, 14:43

You mean the Linea was masked and the Grande Punto was without any camouflaging? Only Fiat can come up with something like this!

Great catch though. I hope Fiat is developing the 1.4 Turbojet petrol and 1.6 or 1.9 JTD 6 speed M/T for both the Linea and GP. Fiat was the first (and still the only) carmaker to have a proper hot hatch in India. I hope they push the hot hatch envelope further with the GP.

roms · 22nd December 2008, 14:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by SumitB

A vehicle without any camouflage is generally a good sign. So is this a sign of some sorts?

Quote:

Originally Posted by amit

You mean the Linea was masked and the Grande Punto was without any camouflaging? Only Fiat can come up with something like this!

Maybe there is now change in plans. Maybe Fiat has decided that for some reason, " it is wise " to launch the GP in Jan /Feb / Match...'09 instead of the Linea!

bharanidharang · 22nd December 2008, 14:57

if i20 is launched before the grande punto, it will take the sheen out. checking on the fiat uk site, the punto looked nice but something is missing in the indian version.

reppy · 22nd December 2008, 15:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by bharanidharang

if i20 is launched before the grande punto, it will take the sheen out. checking on the fiat uk site, the punto looked nice but something is missing in the indian version.

A friend from one of the Tata subsidiaries was telling me that Fiat is redesigning the bumper to bring the car down from 4030 mm length to under 4000 so that they can take advantage of excise benefits - maybe thats the difference?

Jayabusa · 22nd December 2008, 15:20

All it needs now is a set of nice rims.

crn12 · 22nd December 2008, 15:23

Fantastic Scoop, this one would be the best out of the FIAT - India bags for sometime, I hope they launch this car by May - June 2009

abhi1309 · 22nd December 2008, 15:32

It is looking fine, all the pre-delivery cars in company godowns look like this without any fitments and accessories.

22nd December 2008, 13:54	#31
isldhn BHPian Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Ludhiana Posts: 285 Thanked: 147 Times	Looks more 'Vista-ish' from the rear, with those raked up tail lights. Funny how some cars look so much different in different colours. Punto in red or blue as seen in some advertisements looks far more appeasing than the one spied. But great catch nonetheless. This shows that FIAL still has plans of launching 'Punto' in the Indian market inspite of the Linea fiasco.
	() Thanks

22nd December 2008, 13:55	#32
FenderBender Newbie Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Bareilly Posts: 13 Thanked: 0 Times	Great stuff Naikpranav, Its another hot hatch...two side streaks look great from rear side. Got vista style stop lamps on rear bumper (looks like it?).
	() Thanks

22nd December 2008, 14:03	#33
raul BHPian Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Pune Posts: 920 Thanked: 372 Times	Nice pics, the car looks well put together and spacious, and nothing sticking out like a sore thumb design wise. It looks more composed to me than the Linea. With the multijet and priced well it will definitely be one of the top considerations in the hatchback space, along with the i20. Good times for hatchback buyers next year.
	() Thanks

22nd December 2008, 14:08	#34
aaggoswami Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2007 Location: Vadodara Posts: 4,982 Thanked: 2,930 Times	Can be a segment leader if it delivers value. Fantastic scoop. Rear look not what I like, but then styling parameters and definitions deffer from person to person. If the linea is 1248cc, I hope that they dont give us 56 bhp 800cc diesel. This car must have atleast 1.6 ltr engine in diesel and petrol format. i20 seems to have a very tough competetion. Pricing will be key.
	() Thanks

22nd December 2008, 14:11	#35
hillram Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 2,942 Thanked: 1,326 Times View My Garage	It sure is a hot hatch and Im wating for it desparatly.
	() Thanks

22nd December 2008, 14:21	#36
theMAG Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: May 2006 Location: Avon, CT Posts: 7,217 Thanked: 1,807 Times View My Garage	Nice looking car. I truly hope Fiat India doesnt screw it this last time.
	() Thanks

22nd December 2008, 14:42	#38
naikpranav BHPian Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Mumbai, Scottsdale, AZ Posts: 152 Thanked: 19 Times	Thank you mods for doing the needful ! As I said earlier, these were shot in the parking lot of the Dukes retreat, Khandala. Had gone with the GF for lunch in out Swift D, was admiring the car from a distance when i noticed two of these. interior pics were not possible because of the 1.3mp camera phone from the paleolithic age and a constant bickering sound of why do i need to get excited when I see a car that hasn't even been launched ! However, that said, the GF did have her own comments about the quality of materials and the design of the ORVMs. (we're both designers) And that I don't need another hatch, (have the Wagon R, Swift D, Fabia Tdi, bought in that order) though I don't mind getting rid of the Swift D.
	() Thanks

22nd December 2008, 14:43	#39
amit Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Mumbai Posts: 3,717 Thanked: 449 Times	You mean the Linea was masked and the Grande Punto was without any camouflaging? Only Fiat can come up with something like this! Great catch though. I hope Fiat is developing the 1.4 Turbojet petrol and 1.6 or 1.9 JTD 6 speed M/T for both the Linea and GP. Fiat was the first (and still the only) carmaker to have a proper hot hatch in India. I hope they push the hot hatch envelope further with the GP.
	() Thanks

22nd December 2008, 14:57	#41
bharanidharang BHPian Join Date: May 2004 Location: Chennai Posts: 400 Thanked: 254 Times	if i20 is launched before the grande punto, it will take the sheen out. checking on the fiat uk site, the punto looked nice but something is missing in the indian version.
	() Thanks

22nd December 2008, 15:20	#43
Jayabusa Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Mumbai Posts: 2,448 Thanked: 69 Times	All it needs now is a set of nice rims.
	() Thanks

22nd December 2008, 15:23	#44
crn12 BHPian Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Bangalore Posts: 184 Thanked: 5 Times	Fantastic Scoop, this one would be the best out of the FIAT - India bags for sometime, I hope they launch this car by May - June 2009
	() Thanks

22nd December 2008, 15:32	#45
abhi1309 BHPian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Pune Posts: 446 Thanked: 68 Times View My Garage	It is looking fine, all the pre-delivery cars in company godowns look like this without any fitments and accessories.
	() Thanks