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Old 8th January 2014, 23:00   #1
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Fiat Punto Adventure spied. Auto-Expo unveil?

Fiat India, as we all know, is surviving here by selling engines to manufacturers such as Maruti Suzuki, Fiat, Premier etc. The 1.3 MJD, quoted as the national engine is very well known for it's good performance, coupled with an equally good fuel efficiency.

Now, with the Punto set to face the axe with no new model on the cards now, may be on sale only in a few markets around the globe. With the Punto in the B2 hatch segment and Linea in the C2 segment, Fiat has a slew of launches in the coming time. There is a dedicated thread for this here.

The Compact SUV is the current craze in our SUV-loving country, manufacturers have revealed plans to dip their toes in this yet-growing segment, not only in India, but across the globe. Now, Fiat India has a 500X and a 500XL on sale, but these aren't below 10L mark. So, they're ready to launch a beefed-up, crossover version of the Punto, likely to be dubbed the Punto Adventure.

The Punto Adventure has been spotted doing rounds in Italy by Quattro Ruote. Here, we can see the bumper to be a new one with a swinging arm on which the Spare wheel is mounted (a la Ford Ecosport). But, it is based on the Punto hatch and is based on the same lines as VW CrossPolo, Skoda Fabia Scout and Toyota Live Cross. Also, 'Adventure' moniker can be seen embossed on the Spare wheel.

Fiat Punto Adventure spied. Auto-Expo unveil?-image.jpg

It is speculated that it would be shown at the Auto Expo 2014, which would take place next month at Noida. If launched in India, it is likely to have the 1.3 MJD and 1.4 FIRE engine under it's hood. The TwinAir engine under the bonnet seems unlikely. Also, no AWD is on the horizon as it would require mechanical changes which won't be feasible as it's nearing the end of it's life-cycle. So, in short, it is the FWD Punto hatch on stilts!

Keep revvin'
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Old 9th January 2014, 01:11   #2
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re: Fiat Punto Adventure spied. Auto-Expo unveil?

Nice find. While the Palio adventure was an extended version of Fiat Palio, this one seems to be a hatch. it would have been better if we got a extended Punto !
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Old 9th January 2014, 08:18   #3
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re: Fiat Punto Adventure spied. Auto-Expo unveil?

It doesn't look too appealing.
Spare wheel is mounted on a swing arm and the spare wheel cover has a handle. This probably means hatch door still opens upwards.


Quote:
Originally Posted by Superleggera View Post
Nice find. While the Palio adventure was an extended version of Fiat Palio, this one seems to be a hatch. it would have been better if we got a extended Punto !
Adventure was an ambitious launch back then. I am guessing, Fiat hasn't considered extended wheelbase for Punto Adventure (Linea's wheelbase) for two reasons:
- Punto is almost 4 meters long. Any extension will make the Indian version costlier due to excise duty, at least for diesel models
- as mentioned in the opening post, no point in redesigning the car that is approaching its end of product life cycle its major markets.
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Old 9th January 2014, 21:45   #4
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re: Fiat Punto Adventure spied. Auto-Expo unveil?

I always thought Fiat could build a nice (read as capable) sub 4mtr SUV on Punto platform however never thought they would come up with something like this!

By the pic it looks like its same Punto BUT with new rear bumper to accommodate swing arm to mount spare wheel. No additions to the side profile to make it look rugged?

May be these are 1st pics and there is lot more going on to make this contraption worth buying but still this does not look appealing.

Last edited by HammerHead : 9th January 2014 at 21:46.
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Old 10th January 2014, 01:30   #5
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re: Fiat Punto Adventure spied. Auto-Expo unveil?

This looks like a made-for-India attempt. Kind of embarrassed for Fiat India to be honest because this reminds of some of those images from the "weird and whacky modifications" thread where Santros and 800s have a wheel attached like this (sometimes with a ladder too (for cats to climb?)) at the back.

Hope this gets as little attention as the Fabia Scout or the Cross Polo got (in spite of these being way better looking than the "Punto Adventure").

If this is the sort of direction Fiat India wants to head, I'm going to start losing hope on any Abarth launches.
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Old 12th January 2014, 13:23   #6
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Re: Fiat Punto Adventure spied. Auto-Expo unveil?

Quote:
In an interview with former Fiat India’s managing director, Enrico Atanasio, Indian Autos Blog came to learn that the crossover would be a Punto on stilts with a rough-road package.

To further extend the appeal of a Punto Cross, Fiat will mount the spare wheel on a swingarm (which in turn is mounted on the bumper). These renderings by Auto Polis also suggest the additions of plastic moldings on the sides of the hatchback.
http://indianautosblog.com/2014/01/f...-render-111919

Fiat Punto Adventure spied. Auto-Expo unveil?-fiatpuntoadventurenewrenderingfront.jpg
Fiat Punto Adventure spied. Auto-Expo unveil?-fiatpuntoadventurenewrenderingrear.jpg

I personally liked the Verito Vibe style bar lights. The front is good too. But not really exciting. Would like to see the Panda here.
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Old 21st January 2014, 09:30   #7
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Re: Fiat Punto Adventure spied. Auto-Expo unveil?

Punto Crossover to have its world debut in Auto expo 2014 as 'Punto Avventure'.

Source:IAB
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Old 27th January 2014, 10:33   #8
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Re: Fiat Punto Adventure spied. Auto-Expo unveil?

FIat is serious on this launch, reported seen testing in Pune!

Cheers!
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