According to media reports, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) might be planning to pull the plug on the Fiat brand in India and focus on its Jeep brand. 

It has been reported that the carmaker has already started the process of phasing out the brand and has therefore, discontinued the Punto, Abarth Punto, Linea and Avventura. Fiat dealers have reportedly been asked to allot more showroom space to Jeep vehicles and invest more in marketing the American brand. FCA has close to 70 Jeep dealerships in the country. 35 of its biggest Fiat outlets have been converted into Jeep dealerships to expand the brand's presence.

With SUVs gaining in popularity, FCA launched the Jeep Compass in July 2017. The SUV has been more successful than other Fiat products. The carmaker is also planning to introduce two more SUVs in the next 3 years. These include a sub-4 m compact SUV and a new SUV with 3 rows of seats.

Fiat has a long history in India which dates back to 1905. However, in recent times, the company has struggled to gain a foothold in the market. 

Source: Livemint

Fiat has launched a limited edition variant of the Punto Evo. Called the Punto Sportivo, it is priced at Rs. 7,10,000 (ex-showroom, Delhi).

The Sportivo is based on the Active trim level of the Punto Evo diesel and comes with cosmetic enhancements and more features. These include a dual tone colour scheme (red body and white roof), Sportivo decals, rear spoiler, chrome inserts on the ORVMs, new 15-inch alloy wheels and rear parking sensors.

On the inside, the Sportivo gets door sills with Fiat branding, seat covers and floor mats with Fiat branding. The car also gets a 6.5-inch touchscreen Infotainment system.

There are no mechanical changes to the Sportivo. It is powered by the same 1.3-litre MultiJet diesel engine that puts out 74 BHP. The engine is mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox.

Fiat is rumoured to be readying a limited edition variant of the Punto Evo for launch. This new variant is expected to be based on the Active trim level and will be called the Sportivo.

The Sportivo will come with cosmetic enhancements to the exteriors. These include a body kit, 15-inch alloy wheels, white roof, Sportivo decals, a rear spoiler and chrome inserts on the door mirrors.

On the inside, the Sportivo will get door sill plates, seat covers and floor mats with Fiat branding. The vehicle is also expected to be equipped with features such as a 6.5-inch touchscreen Infotainment system with Bluetooth streaming, GPS with 3D Navigation, and reverse parking sensors.

With the Sportivo, Fiat will hope to increase the number of footfalls in its dealerships during the festive season.

Source: Team Fiat Moto Club

Dealers have started accepting bookings for the Fiat Punto Abarth. While there are reports that the booking amount has been set at Rs. 20,000, a dealer we called quoted Rs. 50,000. The car is likely to be launched on October 10.

Fiat had displayed the Punto Abarth at the launch event of the Abarth 595 Competizione, which was held at the Buddh International Circuit in August. The car is powered by a 1.4-litre T-Jet petrol engine that puts out 145 BHP. The engine is mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox. The car also gets disc brakes at the rear and a stiffer suspension compared to the regular Punto Evo.

The Punto Abarth shares its body with the regular Punto Evo. To distinguish it from the regular car, Fiat has given it Abarth badges at the front and rear, Abarth decals, scorpion alloy wheels, a chrome-tipped exhaust, ORVMs, grille and air dam with horizontal slats in a contrasting colour, side skirts and a roof-mounted rear spoiler.

On the inside, the Abarth gets a black dashboard, reworked instrument cluster, a steering wheel with an Abarth badge, black seats with red and yellow stitching and sports pedals.

In our December 2013 report, we had mentioned that Italian carmaker Fiat was planning to drop the Punto hatchback from its line-up and replace it with a 5-door version of the Fiat 500. Latest reports suggest that the new car, which is expected to be launched in 2016, could be called the 500 Plus.

The 500 Plus will be longer and wider than the 500. Fiat plans to build it at its plant in Tychy, Poland. The plant will need to be upgraded with respect to production lines and technology and for this company is said to be investing $784 million. 420 additional employees will be hired as well. About 1,80,000 units of the 500 Plus are expected to be built annually.

Globally, the current-generation Punto has been in production since 2005. With time, its appeal has dropped and that has reflected in its sales. In 2013, Fiat managed to sell 1,03,822 units of the European Punto, 22% lower than the previous year. In the same period, Ford sold 292,640 units of the Fiesta, which is the segment leader.

Source: Autonews

BHPian ece2k2 caught the super-hot Fiat Punto Abarth on test in Coimbatore. The EsseEsse version of the Punto was wearing Coimbatore license plates and surprisingly, all badging was unmasked.

The hatchback was sporting EsseEsse and Evo logos denoting that it is the high-performance tuned version of the Punto Abarth! A sticker denoting special fuel was also spotted inside the hot hatch.

The Punto Abarth Evo EsseEsse is at the apex of the Punto family. The EsseEsse is essentially an upgrade on the Punto Abarth Evo.

Weighing in at 1185 kg, power sees a bump up to 180 BHP (165 in Evo), 0-96 kph in 7.5 seconds and a top speed in excess of 210 kph. The reworked suspension on the EsseEsse sees revised Abarth Springs, Koni dampers and Brembo discs all round. The Punto Abarth is sold only in two door versions abroad, so the EsseEsse could make it as a CBU, if & when it comes to India. 

It is much more likely that Fiat India will launch a more sedate Punto Abarth version using the existing four door Punto. It will come with the 1.4 liter T-jet motor taken from the Linea. The engine can easily be tuned for more power. Fiat has had a difficult time selling its cars, managing to move merely 2,405 units (Punto 2033, Linea 372) between September 2012 and February 2013. Fiat’s previous import option - the Fiat 500 - sank without a trace in the market.