Autoholiks » Fiat http://www.autoholiks.com .....................The Automobile Lovers Breed..................... Fri, 30 Sep 2011 10:04:07 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 en hourly 1 Fiat Linea 1.4 T-Jet Launched @ Rs 8.55 Lakhs http://www.autoholiks.com/2010/10/fiat-linea-1-4-t-jet-launched-rs-8-55-lakhs/ http://www.autoholiks.com/2010/10/fiat-linea-1-4-t-jet-launched-rs-8-55-lakhs/#comments Fri, 08 Oct 2010 07:47:08 +0000 lavkesh http://www.autoholiks.com/?p=2126 Fiat Linea 1.4 T-Jet

As we told you earlier, Fiat has launched the new more powerful Linea 1.4 T-Jet in the Indian market today at an event held in Mumbai. If the looks of the Linea haven’t excited you enough already, the new engine certainly will if you are a petrol head. Read on!

The Linea T-Jet comes powered by a 1.4 liter 4 cylinder 16 valve DOHC turbocharged petrol engine delivering 114 PS of maximum power and class leading 207 nm of torque which as it stands can give some diesel sedans in the segment a run for their money. The T-Jet also becomes the first turbocharged petrol powered car in its class and has an ARAI certified fuel economy of 14.6 KMPL which for the performance on tap is very impressive.

New engine apart, the new Linea 1.4 T-Jet comes with much better quality plastics for the dual tone soft touch dashboard, generous splashing of chrome on the dashboard and inside door handles, 16 inch alloy wheels with wide 205 section tires, rear disc brakes for even better stopping given the extra power at command, chrome exhaust tip, new roof antenna and premium imported leather upholstery.

The new Linea T-Jet will come in two variants – T-Jet priced at Rs 8.55 Lakhs and T-Jet Plus priced at Rs 8.99 Lakhs, all prices Ex-Showroom, Delhi.

We will carry a seperate sections on whats different in our subsequent posts.

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]]> http://www.autoholiks.com/2010/10/fiat-linea-1-4-t-jet-launched-rs-8-55-lakhs/feed/ 2 Fiat Linea 1.4 T-Jet Launch On 8th October http://www.autoholiks.com/2010/09/fiat-linea-1-4-t-jet-launch-on-8th-october/ http://www.autoholiks.com/2010/09/fiat-linea-1-4-t-jet-launch-on-8th-october/#comments Fri, 17 Sep 2010 08:45:36 +0000 lavkesh http://www.autoholiks.com/?p=1982 Fiat Linea 1.4 T-Jet Petrol

Fiat is all set to launch the more powerful version of the Linea on 8th October.

To be called the Linea T-Jet, the more powerful variant will come with a turbocharged 1.4 liter petrol engine delivering 120 ps of maximum power @ 5000 rpm and diesel busting 206 nm of  torque right from 1750 rpm onwards!  The engine will be mated to a 5-speed manual transmission with revised ratio’s to take advantage of the extra power and torque.

Performance will be blistering with 0-100 kph coming in under 10 seconds and a top speed of just under 200 kph. In city performance will be better too because of all that torque low down the rev range meaning you can ride the torque curve at city speeds most of the times resulting in even better economy.

Apart from the new engine, the new Linea T-Jet will also come with extra features like Hill Holder function (for hill starts where the car would automatically brake to stop it rolling backwards when you take your foot off to accelerate), Leather seats, Rain sensing wipers, Automatic headlamps and Reverse parking sensors.

Stay tuned for more updates.

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]]> http://www.autoholiks.com/2010/09/fiat-linea-1-4-t-jet-launch-on-8th-october/feed/ 2 VW wants Alfa Romeo, Fiat Unwilling To Sell http://www.autoholiks.com/2010/08/vw-wants-alfa-romeo-fiat-unwilling-to-sell/ http://www.autoholiks.com/2010/08/vw-wants-alfa-romeo-fiat-unwilling-to-sell/#comments Tue, 24 Aug 2010 11:02:05 +0000 lavkesh http://www.autoholiks.com/?p=1854 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Rear Three Quarter

Alfa Romeo Giulietta

Volkswagen is on a buying spree now a days that would help its ambition of becoming the biggest automaker on the planet by displacing Toyota Motor co. as No. 1

According to reports from Automotive News Europe, Volkswagen is keen to buy Fiat’s troubled sporty brand Alfa Romeo. The report has been confirmed to ANE by two senior executives from VW who did not want to be named. A high-placed Fiat executive on the other hand has told ANE, on condition of anonymity that “We have no intention of selling the brand to VW”.

Fiat has already charted a turnaround plan for Alfa which was announced by CEO Sergio Marchionne in April this year. The plan hopes to turn Alfa Romeo into a “full line premium car maker” selling 500,000 units by 2014 helped by six new model launches one of which, the Giulietta, has already been launched.

VW CEO Martin Winterkorn had told reporters in April that he admired Alfa but said VW group is in the middle of taking over Porsche and is not planning to add another brand.

Volkswagen lately has developed serious appetite for anything Italian. The company recruited from top Alfa executives Walter de’ Silva as its design chief and Luca De Meo as marketing boss. It also owns Italian supercar brand Lamborghini and took a 90 percent stake in Italdesign Giugiaro earlier this year.

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]]> http://www.autoholiks.com/2010/08/vw-wants-alfa-romeo-fiat-unwilling-to-sell/feed/ 0 First Drive: Fiat Grande Punto 90 HP – More Horses, More Fun http://www.autoholiks.com/2010/08/first-drive-fiat-grande-punto-90-hp-more-horses-more-fun/ http://www.autoholiks.com/2010/08/first-drive-fiat-grande-punto-90-hp-more-horses-more-fun/#comments Mon, 23 Aug 2010 14:02:01 +0000 lavkesh http://www.autoholiks.com/?p=1849 Fiat Grande Punto 90 HP Multijet Diesel

If there is one segment in the Indian car market which has the buyers spoilt for choice, its the B+ hatchback segment.

The competition in this segment of the market is very intense which means you will be able to find a car that suits your requirement to a ‘T’ without even trying very hard. From the ultra value for money Ford Figo or the Tata Indica Vista to the play it safe Maruti Suzuki Swift and the first affordable German, Volkswagen Polo, there is one for everyone. And amongst all these cars there is one that separates itself from all the others in the way it makes you feel and the way it drives – its the Fiat Grande Punto.

Grande Punto has been a halo car for Fiat simply because it is one car which brought Fiat back from the brink of bankruptcy and catapulted it into profits. The much awaited Grande Punto was launched in India with much fanfare last year and since then has gone on to do decent numbers for the company but not quiet the numbers Fiat would have been hoping for. The chief reason being the slightly underwhelming choice of engines which when put in a chassis which is good enough to take more than 180 bhp in Abarth variants and the below par interiors quality.

Fiat has made amends and has launched the Grande Punto 90 HP for the enthusiasts who crave for more power and here’s Autoholiks first drive report for the same.

Jump over for the first drive of the new Grande Punto 90 HP

  • Styled by Giorgetto Giugiaro, the Maserati inspired front, absolutely gorgeous rear end and the “arrow” shaped side profile make it the best looking hatchback on sale in India, guaranteed to turn heads wherever you go. Special mention has to be made of the alloy wheels which are one of the better OEM units.
  • Build quality is fantastic and the door close with the typical Fiat ‘thud’. Sitting inside feels like sitting in a bank vault. No seriously!
  • The faster Punto comes with discreet ‘90 HP’ badging and chrome outside door handles to differenciate itself from the regular variant. The changes to insides are restricted to red stitching for the front seats, better plastics and better NVH all around.
  • The interiors now come with soft touch plastics and different texture on the dashboard which makes them a wee bit better. Few rough edges like the ill fitting steering wheel console remain. The tinny sounding stereo is a disappointment and the Blue&Me feature makes it difficult to upgrade.
  • The leather covered steering is a delight to look at and even better to hold. Its razor sharp and provides plenty of feel making it one of the best in the business.
  • The variable geometry turbocharged 1.3 liter common rail Multijet diesel engine is a delight and provides the much needed power boost. The engine feels and sounds better even at idle and it remains true the moment you put in the first gear and release the clutch. The engine is noisy at higher revs but is pretty refined and vibe free. The same engine also does duty under the hood of the Linea.
  • Flat out performance is pretty impressive and the engine is eager throughout the rev-range, even when running with full load and aircon on at full blast. Performance is sprightly after 1500 rpm and the car pulls nicely until 4000 rpm making for a very wide power band. Overtaking is a breeze and a prod on the accelerator is all you need.
  • Disappointingly though, the gearing remains just the same and 2500 rpm in 5th @ 100 kph is still a wee bit too high for comfort. Sixth gear Fiat???
  • ABS + EBD assisted brakes are reassuringly strong and are amongst the best stoppers in the business. The brake pedal has good feel making it easier to modulate. Keep a watch on the traffic coming from behind when stopping hard because you CAN and he may not! The car track straight even under harsh braking from high speeds.
  • Ride and Handling compromise is of the highest order transcending segments by besting even the bigger much more expensive cars. The suspension is astonishingly pliant over good, bad and even worst of roads. The body roll is minimal and there’s plenty of grip given the wide 195 section tyres. The car holds its line very well even under hard cornering with just a hint of understeer. Mid corner bumps fail to faze the Punto with the car tracking true and the high speed stability needs to be experienced to be believed.
  • The A/C chilled the cabin within minutes but it has to be said that weather around Delhi is pretty pleasant now a days.
  • The car comes with a long list of standard equipments which includes Microsoft developed Blue&Me bluetooth system with voice recognition, Automatic climate control, dash integrated MP3/CD FM player with USB port AUX IN and steering mounted control, printed radio antenna, electrically adjustable outside rear view mirrors, MY Car diagnostic system which among other things displays service reminder, over speed chime, instantaneous and average fuel consumption and twin trip meters, height adjustable driver seat, alloy wheels, ABS + EBD and driver and passenger Air Bags. The electrical system is supported by micro processor controlled CAN BUS architecture, very much like the Audi’s and the BMW’s of this world!

The new Grande Punto 90 HP is more complete car and is the model that Fiat should have launched at the first place. Its reasonably fast and very fuel efficient giving you the best of both worlds.  The ride and handling is not only the best in its class but even segments much higher.

There are still quite a few rough edges as far as the interiors are concerned and there are a few things which should have been better given the price. Putting minor blemishes aside, the Punto is one of the best driving car in the country today which is equally adept going round the turns as it is while negotiating crater filled Indian roads or cruising down the expressways. Its one of those rare cars which manages to look good and drive well while at the same time arouse passion which is the hallmark of cars from Italy.

The Grande Punto is priced at Rs 6.79 Lakhs, Ex-Showroom, New Delhi which puts in the company of the most expensive hatchback in the market but considering the overall package, its well worth the price.

Also look at: Hyundai i20 CRDi, Honda Jazz

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]]> http://www.autoholiks.com/2010/08/first-drive-fiat-grande-punto-90-hp-more-horses-more-fun/feed/ 1 Fiat Launches The Matte Black 500 BlackJack Edition http://www.autoholiks.com/2010/08/fiat-launches-the-matte-black-500-blackjack-edition/ http://www.autoholiks.com/2010/08/fiat-launches-the-matte-black-500-blackjack-edition/#comments Mon, 09 Aug 2010 09:33:28 +0000 lavkesh http://www.autoholiks.com/?p=1745 Fiat 500 BlackJack Edition

If ever there was an award for the most special editions of a car, Fiat 500 would be running quite close, if its not the eventual winner. And if you thought Fiat 500 By Diesel was too flashy and fashionista, meet the all new Fiat 500 BlackJack edition.

Finished in matte black with glossy black accents and red at the center of massive 16 inch black alloy wheels and red brake calipers for the 1.4 liter model to break the monotony, the 500 has gone into stealth mode. The new model will be available with both the 1.2 liter and 1.4 liter engines with production run limited to just 200 units for the UK market.

While no details have been mentioned about the interiors apart from “Special carpet mats” we won’t be surprised if its as black as the exteriors. Why not a special edition like this for India too, Fiat Please?

The new car costs £12,165 OTR (1.2) and £13,565 OTR (1.4).

Jump over for the press release.

Press Release

FIAT 500 LIMITED EDITION IS BACK – AND THIS TIME IT’S BLACK

Following on from the success of the Fiat 500 Pink, another unique limited edition version of the popular city car has been announced – the Fiat 500 BlackJack.

Just 200 examples of the matt black supermini will be available when it goes on sale next week. As with previous special edition 500 models, the BlackJack will initially be available on-line only at www.fiat.co.uk.

The BlackJack name reinforces the character of this car: irreverent and mysterious. The 500 BlackJack is the first vehicle in this segment to offer the special paint, and is one of several exciting Fiat 500 limited editions being introduced this year.

Based on the 1.2 and 1.4 Sport specification, the Fiat 500 BlackJack features:

  • Individual matt black paint finish
  • Mouldings, door handles, door mirrors and plate holder in metallic effect
  • 16-inch alloy wheels in matt black with red coach line
  • Red brake callipers (1.4 only)
  • Special carpet mats

The 500 BlackJack – like all Fiat 500s – comes as standard with Fiat’s Start&Stop, which stops the engine automatically whenever traffic conditions bring the car to a complete halt, and restarts it immediately the driver wants to move off again.

“The paint finish is the most striking feature of this new limited edition,” says Elena Bernardelli, marketing director, Fiat Group Automobiles UK and Ireland. “It has previously been a characteristic of new supercars, and gives the Fiat 500 a stunning new image. I am sure the BlackJack will be a huge hit with Fiat 500 fans.”

The new car costs £12,165 OTR (1.2) and £13,565 OTR (1.4).

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]]> http://www.autoholiks.com/2010/08/fiat-launches-the-matte-black-500-blackjack-edition/feed/ 1 Fiat Launches Grande Punto VGT 90 HP http://www.autoholiks.com/2010/07/fiat-launches-grande-punto-90-hp/ http://www.autoholiks.com/2010/07/fiat-launches-grande-punto-90-hp/#comments Fri, 16 Jul 2010 09:55:39 +0000 lavkesh http://www.autoholiks.com/?p=1598 Fiat Grande Punto Sports 90 HP

picture courtesy: www.autocarindia.com

As we told you earlier, Fiat has launched the much awaited Punto 90 HP in the Indian market which attempts to address the ‘underpowered’ opinions some people had about the car.

Christened the Punto 90 HP,  the car comes powered by the VGT version of the 1.3 Multijet engined which is also found under the engine bay of the bigger Linea. Maximum power is now rated 90 bhp @ 4000 rpm and maximum torque is now upto 209 nm @ 2000 rpm.

The update to the engine apart from the flat out performance gains and improved driveability also brings also changes to the insides and outside. Interior changes include the new instrument console now lifted from Linea with silver background against black, improved quality for the interiors, nicer feeling surface finish for the dashboard plastics and sporty red stitching for the front seats while changes to the exteriors is limited to chrome door handles.

The Grande Punto 90 HP has been launched only in the Emotion Pack trim and has been priced at Rs 6.79 Lakhs Ex-Showroom, New Delhi, which means a premium of over 30k’s over the normal variant which is a bit too much in our opinion but is a good move none the less.

Jump over for city wise pricing.

All Prices Ex-Showroom

New Delhi: Rs 6.79 Lakhs

Chennai: Rs 6.83 Lakhs

Kolkata: Rs 6.85 Lakhs

Bengaluru: Rs 6.88 Lakhs

Mumbai: Rs 7.01 Lakhs

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]]> http://www.autoholiks.com/2010/07/fiat-launches-grande-punto-90-hp/feed/ 1 Fiat Grande Punto Sports 90 HP Launch Confirmed For 16th July http://www.autoholiks.com/2010/06/fiat-grande-punto-sports-90-hp-launch-confirmed-for-16th-july/ http://www.autoholiks.com/2010/06/fiat-grande-punto-sports-90-hp-launch-confirmed-for-16th-july/#comments Wed, 23 Jun 2010 12:31:05 +0000 lavkesh http://www.autoholiks.com/?p=1494 Fiat Grande Punto Sports 90 HP

picture courtesy: www.autocarindia.com

If you like us are waiting for the launch of the Fiat Punto Sport (or 90 hp as it called) then here’s some good news. Fiat has finally confirmed the launch of the VGT (variable geometry turbocharger) engined Punto for 16th July 2010.

Fiat Grande Punto Sports 90 HP Interiors

picture courtesy: www.autocarindia.com

To be called the Grande Punto 90 HP, the Punto with the more powerful 1.3 liter Multijet engine will be available in the upper end Emotion trim. The engine now delivers 90 bhp and healthier 20.4 kgm of torque at 1750 rpm.

Apart from the engine upgrade Fiat has also improved interior fit and finish, dashboard trim, upgrades to NVH (Noise, Vibrations, Harshness) and some extra features for the interiors like red stitching on the front seats.

source: autocarindia.com

As of now there is no news of bigger alloys, optional sunroof, leather seats and sporty decals being available, which we published earlier. Fiat may have shelved these plans to keep the sticker price in check.

Autocar India has also published a test drive review of the new Grande Punto 90 HP which you can read by clicking here.

You will all the details here on 16th July! Stay tuned!

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]]> http://www.autoholiks.com/2010/06/fiat-grande-punto-sports-90-hp-launch-confirmed-for-16th-july/feed/ 1 Fiat Grande Punto Sports Coming In Second Week Of June http://www.autoholiks.com/2010/05/fiat-grande-punto-sports-coming-in-second-week-of-june/ http://www.autoholiks.com/2010/05/fiat-grande-punto-sports-coming-in-second-week-of-june/#comments Thu, 06 May 2010 10:36:01 +0000 admin http://www.autoholiks.com/?p=1259 Fiat Grande Punto Sports At Auto Expo New Delhi

Grande Punto Sports @ the Auto Expo 2010, New Delhi

Some good news for the hot hatch fans. Fiat is all set to launch the Grande Punto Sports in the second week of June, as we predicted earlier.

According to our sources the exact date of the launch would be 17th June to coincide with the first anniversary of the Grande Punto in India which was launched on the same date in 2009.

The new Grande Punto Sports will come with the same 1.3 litre Multijet engine but now force fed by a variable geometry turbo to develop more than 90 bhp of maximum power and 208 nm of maximum torque. Fiat will also offer a rear spoiler, sporty decals, dual tone leather seats and bigger alloys wheels to complete the look. An optional electric sunroof may also be offered as an option.

The Grande Punto has always been a good handler and with the new more powerful engine under the hood, is expected to even more fun to drive.  The new Punto will appeal to the young at heart and to someone who always wanted a Punto but found the current 75 bhp engine a tad underpowered.

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]]> http://www.autoholiks.com/2010/05/fiat-grande-punto-sports-coming-in-second-week-of-june/feed/ 1 Fiat Punto Evo Launched, Comes With Multijet II and Multiair Engines http://www.autoholiks.com/2010/01/fiat-punto-evo-launched-comes-with-multijet-ii-and-multiair-engines/ http://www.autoholiks.com/2010/01/fiat-punto-evo-launched-comes-with-multijet-ii-and-multiair-engines/#comments Wed, 27 Jan 2010 10:18:10 +0000 admin http://www.autoholiks.com/?p=249 2010 Fiat Punto Evo Front

The new look front

Fiat has launched the next iteration of the highly successful Grande Punto in the form of Punto Evo (Evolution).

The new Punto Evo aims to build upon the success of the current model by offering even more value for money, advance, state-of-the-art petrol and diesel engines and more kit by the way of standard equipments. Fiat’s Blue&Me interface will be offered on all trim levels which can supplemented by equipments never seen before on a budget hatchback.

2010 Fiat Punto Evo Interiors

Interiors are very modern and now come with more gizmos as standard

The electronic equipments include Rain sensing wipers, ESP (Electronic Stability Program) with hill holder function, Start&Stop system, parking aid system, in dash mounted 4.3 inch touchscreen with navigation and infotainment controls, lane change warning, daytime running lights, follow me home headlights and even Adaptive cornering foglights!

The engine options include a range of brand new Multiair and Multijet II petrol and diesel engines. The engine options include the 1.3 litre Multijet with 7 5 bhp, a 1.3 Multijet II with 95 bhp and 200 kgm of torque, 1.4 litre 100 bhp Multiair and the range topping 1.4 litre  Multiair Turbo with a stupendous 135 bhp. The range starter is the plain vanilla 1.4 litre 77 bhp petrol.

Fiat will add another engine option, a 1.6 litre Multijet with 120 bhp engine, which will come in October.

Jump over for one of the most comprehensive press release we have seen and the image gallery

source: FIAT via Autoblog

Image Gallery: 2010 Fiat Punto Evo

Interiors are very modern and now come with more gizmos as standard The new look front

Press Release

NEW FIAT PUNTO EVO – EVOLUTION OF THE SPECIES

Think small cars and a string of super-successful Fiats should spring to mind: the ground-breaking 600, the trend-setting 127, the innovative Uno, and progressive Punto.

The Fiat 127, first of the ’superminis’, was voted Car of the Year 1972 and was destined to become Europe’s best-selling car, continuing in production until the introduction of the Fiat Uno in 1983, by which time a total of 5.6 million had been built.

Compared with the 127, the Uno was some 6cm shorter and a similar amount taller. Voted Car of the Year 1984, it was also destined to be Europe’s best-seller, with no less than 2.5 million sold in just four years, and a total production run of more than six million.

Its successor, the Punto, was another Car of the Year winner, in 1995, and more than seven million would be produced worldwide, including over 650,000 sold in the UK. In Grande Punto guise it is still Europe’s fifth best-selling car.

Now the new Punto Evo is set to build on the strengths of its illustrious predecessors and move the game on with a host of innovations.

To cater for customers who are more demanding than ever, the Punto Evo has been designed to meet the requirement for smaller, more environmentally friendly cars that are easier to park and more affordable to run, yet still stylish, safe, comfortable and fun to drive. Fiat has managed this by combining ground-breaking new engines with a healthy dose of technology and features traditionally associated with larger cars.

As a dynamic development of the popular Grande Punto, the Punto Evo has a bold new look inside and out, cloaking a stronger structure that makes it safer, better to drive and more welcoming for passengers. And it incorporates many advanced safety features to further enhance the ownership experience, including knee airbags, double seatbelt pre-tensioners and ESP with hill holder.

This is typical of the high specification levels that owners of the Punto Evo will enjoy. In line with Fiat’s philosophy of technology-for-all, every model in the range is fitted with the firm’s Blue&Me interface that allows drivers intuitive control of all the car’s major functions. And all models, except Active, can be specified with the cutting edge Blue&Me TomTom system.

This means fingertip access to a touch-screen navigation system, mobile phone, trip computer and MP3 player with steering wheel commands. It also includes Fiat’s ground-breaking eco:Drive which helps owners lower their fuel consumption and exhaust emissions. For the first time, eco:Drive is a fully integrated system in Punto Evo, and customers can now receive real-time suggestions for more environmentally friendly motoring.

But this car’s launch is made particularly noteworthy because it heralds the unleashing of two important new ‘Ecotechnology’ engine line-ups, the MultiAir petrol family and MultiJet II diesels.

The Punto Evo’s range of five engines all conform to Euro 5 emissions requirements and are all fitted with Start&Stop technology as standard. But improved fuel consumption isn’t the only way in which Punto Evo owners will benefit from its innovative engines. Low CO2 emissions mean customers will also pay low levels of Vehicle Excise Duty (Car Tax) – just £35 in the case of the new Punto Evo MultiJet range.

Whichever engine customers choose, they’ll have two different chassis philosophies and five trim levels to deliberate over. All the GP and exclusively three-door Sporting versions follow the Sport chassis philosophy with racy on-road behaviour and more assertive looks. Three or five-door Comfort versions come in either Active, Dynamic or Eleganza trims with a more elegant look and feel to them.

Even the entry level Active model features a generous amount of standard equipment including front driver, passenger and driver’s knee airbag, five standard-size seats, two rear head restraints, front electric windows, height and reach adjustable steering wheel, electric mirrors, and Blue&Me infotainment. Owners can also choose from an extensive options list, and with a total of 22 versions to select from at launch, (a 1.6 16v MultiJet 120bhp version joins the range in October), customers will find plenty to interest them in the new Punto Evo range.

Small-car costs; big-car comfort
The Punto Evo has been conceived to cosset its occupants as a larger car might. This has been achieved through a clever combination of factors.

Most noticeably the car’s interior design has been substantially reworked. Hard angles have been abandoned and replaced with softer, curvier lines that appear plush and elegant, giving a cosier, more comfortable atmosphere.

Work by Fiat’s famed Centro Stile (Style Centre) has concentrated on finding and fitting materials that don’t just look good, but feel good too. And a radical redesign inside has halved the size of the centre console. At the top of this now sits a recess where the portable Blue&Me TomTom unit is situated just above the air vents (not on Active). A classy piano black panel surrounds the sound system’s LCD display and includes buttons for functions such as the central locking set into it.

Below this, some versions have a diffused ambient light source which can be switched on at night to bathe the interior in a mellow shade, making driving in the dark a real event. Beneath this is a separate console to house the ventilation controls.

The instruments feature larger dials for the speedometer and rev counter, and these sit within a new cowl that shades them from bright light. The instrument panel features a gear shift indicator (GSI), which advises drivers when to change to a higher or lower gear, depending on conditions, and a ‘real time’ indication of consumption.

Seats too have been redesigned to improve them ergonomically and a new range of innovative materials are being used on these and the door panels to ensure the Punto Evo feels absolutely contemporary.

This high tech approach is fully in keeping with the latest generation Blue&Me TomTom that any Punto Evo, except Active, can be specified with. Despite being cheaper to fit than rivals’ systems, this in-car interface is more versatile and user friendly. It is simple to use, offering easy access to information.

With Blue&Me TomTom in fact, a completely integrated infotainment system is created which allows for the management, via a modern colour touch-screen, of telephone, navigation and all the information necessary for driving. Thanks to dashboard provision, management via steering wheel controls and voice instructions, it is possible to ensure maximum safety when driving. This new system will also supply drivers with information in real time concerning the environmental impact of their own driving style, and will suggest how to perfect it through correct handling of gear changes and use of the accelerator pedal.

Featuring a 4.3-inch high-resolution touch screen, the portable unit links to the car via an integrated connector on the dash, meaning that there are no trailing cables or wires. Mobile phone, sound system, trip computer and navigation are all controlled via the screen. As it can monitor traffic conditions, the navigation system picks the most convenient route. The unit also employs Bluetooth and advanced voice recognition to allow you to control all functions either from the steering wheel or with your voice. This fully portable screen can be removed from the car and used in any other vehicle, with suction pads to hold it in place.

Blue&Me TomTom works in conjunction with Fiat’s incredibly popular eco:Drive software. Downloading this from the Fiat website enables owners to use the in-car USB port to transfer information about their driving to a PC. They can then request an assessment of their skills at the wheel, compare themselves with others and progress through a series of tutorials to make their driving style more environmentally sound.

Thanks to Blue&Me TomTom, however, eco:Drive information and suggestions about reducing the environmental impact of driving now appear in real-time on the in-car screen. And should the fuel reserve warning light come on, directions to the nearest filling station can be immediately requested. This is the sort of solution to motoring hassle that the Punto Evo has been designed to offer.

But in-cabin technology isn’t the only tool Fiat has used to make the Punto Evo’s cockpit an enjoyable place to be. Engineers have also been hard at work on the car’s structural characteristics. Rigidity has been improved and new flexible suspension bushings, optimised to suit the new engines, have been exploited to reduce noise and vibrations transmitted from the road surface.

New soundproof roof panelling has also been employed with thermo-expandable panels to reduce driving noise. Diesel models use a laminated PVB windscreen and have an engine cover. The overall result is a significant reduction of in-car noise, while these alterations have also improved the tone and quality of the engine’s sound to the outside world.

Drive the Evolution
As well as being the thrust of the advertising campaign for the Punto Evo, ‘Drive the Evolution’ sums up how the entirely revised or new engine line-up will propel Fiat into an ever more environmentally friendly future.

The Punto Evo heralds the launch of two all-new engine ranges, the petrol MultiAir, and MultiJet II diesel models. On top of this, all versions feature Start&Stop where the engine shuts down instead of idling when the car is at a standstill, but bursts back into life when you need to get underway again.

The range starter is the 1.4-litre eight valve 77bhp engine which, like every other engine in the 22-strong range, now complies with Euro 5 exhaust emissions legislation. The other petrol units feature Fiat Powertrain Technologies’ unique and ground-breaking MultiAir expertise – a technological leap forward that is to be rolled out across the company’s entire fleet of models.

MultiAir
In conventional combustion engines, air charge through the intake valve is controlled by the rotation of a camshaft via a simple throttle. The main disadvantages of this system are a waste of energy and a slow adjustment to the continuously changing demands of differing driving conditions.

MultiAir is Fiat’s new electronic system for dynamic control of air intake, cylinder by cylinder, stroke by stroke. This electro-hydraulic valve actuation technology is based on the use of a high pressure oil chamber between the camshaft and the intake valve, managed by a solenoid valve connected to an ECU. This way, valve lift schedules become extremely flexible and vary precisely and immediately according to engine air requirements.

Various factors are used to optimise combustion efficiency, with remarkable benefits in terms of power, torque, fuel consumption and emissions. Complete valve opening, or full lift – the current mode of conventional engines – is used by MultiAir only when full engine power is required. At engine start-up, and when idling, late intake valve opening determines a higher air speed intake, thereby optimising the mixture formed, and its combustion.

At medium to low RPM, moderate torque demands and partial engine load, early intake valve closing optimises volume efficiency and reduces pumping losses. Undesired backflow into the manifold is avoided, and air mass trapped in the cylinder optimised. Multiple valve opening, or multi-lift, at low engine speeds or from idle, allows for an optimisation of combustion control.

Euro 5 compliant (and Euro 6 ready); easy start characteristics; electronic management; low fuel consumption; a high fun-to-drive quotient; immediate dynamic response; maximum performance… these are some of the innumerable advantages of MultiAir, thanks to electronic control that adjusts air intake parameters precisely according to road conditions and driving mode.

During cold starts, the MultiAir system optimises air intake based on the external temperature, with engine start-up guaranteed in any conditions. Lower fuel consumption and more relaxed driving in heavy traffic are additional benefits of MultiAir technology. Exhaustive driving tests have repeatedly shown clear advantages in terms of higher torque and power, allied to a notably superior driving experience and vastly improved engine dynamic response.

In summary, MultiAir optimises engine intake air over the entire RPM range, with an ensuing reduction in fuel consumption by an average 10 per cent, thanks to the dramatic reduction of pumping losses and the exact grading of the parameters which perfect combustion.

MultiAir also provides for an average 10 per cent reduction in CO2 emissions; 10 per cent power increase; and 15 per cent torque improvement.

At the same time, toxic emissions are dramatically reduced, (40 per cent of HC/CO and 60 per cent of NOX), in the engine warm-up phase thanks to the perfecting of strategic valve control during the engine inlet phase, and internal exhaust recycling obtained by reopening the inlet valve during the exhaust phase.

MultiAir technology is the outcome of striking research efforts by Fiat Powertrain Technologies – an authentic innovation for all internal combustion engines.

What this means is that the 105bhp 1.4-litre MultiAir unit in the new Punto Evo emits just 134g/km of carbon dioxide along with 49.5mpg (Combined Cycle) fuel economy, yet offers lively performance and a 0-62mph acceleration time of just 10.8 seconds.

The range-topping 135bhp 1.4-litre MultiAir Turbo is even more impressive. With almost 100bhp per litre at the driver’s command, this delivers a petrol engine benchmark for acceleration with a 0-62mph time of 8.5 seconds, yet also offers combined cycle fuel consumption of a remarkable 50.4mpg and a CO2 figure of just 129g/km.

MultiJet II
Fiat has a proud history of leading the world when it comes to diesel power. Fiat was first with a direct injection diesel in a production saloon car in the 1980s, and in the 1990s there was Common Rail – a Fiat invention. Then in 2003, Fiat’s MultiJet was the first to improve the thermodynamic efficiency of the engine by introducing five injections during the same combustion cycle. Now, for its latest generation of cars and light vans, Fiat has further improved the 1.3 MultiJet, and Punto Evo is the perfect showcase.

Thanks to a new balanced solenoid servo valve, MultiJet II is able to control with high precision, the quantity of fuel injected into the cylinder, with a quicker and more flexible injection sequence. In fact, the new MultiJet II system can manage eight injections per cycle.

It also offers higher flexibility in managing multiple injections, resulting in further optimisation of diesel combustion. In particular it has a new injection modality called Injection Rate Shaping (IRS) which consists of two consecutive injections with zero hydraulic dwell. This has a positive effect on combustion at higher loads, allowing for improved trade-off in terms of emissions, fuel consumption and noise.

It all means that the second generation 1.3-litre MultiJet provides the driver with an engine that complies with Euro 5 emissions legislation, yet in 95bhp form gives Punto Evo a 0-62mph acceleration time of 11.7 seconds while returning 67.3mpg (combined cycle) and emitting just 110g/km of CO2. When combined with Fiat’s Dualogic gearbox, consumption is boosted to 68.9mpg and emissions fall further, to 107g/km.

MultiJet II is also available as a 75bhp unit and, like the higher power version, is Euro 5-compatible, comes with Start&Stop and features a Diesel Particulate Filter. These engines also employ second generation turbochargers (with variable vane geometry in the more powerful version) which, along with the MultiJet II injection system, ensure the best possible turbo function at any engine operating level. The big advantage they have over the outgoing Euro 4 engines is that torque delivery at low revs can be up to 25 per cent greater.

Depending on the engine there’s a choice of five or six-speed manual gearboxes, or a Dualogic robotised sequential shift which has been optimised for manoeuvrability and low noise levels. And it makes the Punto Evo the only car among its peers to feature an automatic gearbox alongside Start&Stop.

Full of high-tech ideas
Punto Evo is an evolution of the highly successful Grande Punto, and as such features a host of exciting and innovative equipment that not only builds on the heritage of the previous Punto family, but moves this new model on a stage further.

The many ideas introduced to the Punto Evo turn this new car’s evolution into something of an electronic revolution. They include:

Sensors:
Rain: An infrared LED installed on the front screen of the car senses the presence of rain and operates the windscreen wipers, depending on how much water is present on the window.
Parking: Punto Evo’s parking aid system provides drivers with information on the distance from obstacles behind the vehicle, and outside their field of vision, when reversing.

ESP with Hill Holder:
Punto Evo is the only B segment car with this feature. The system combines information collected by sensors from the pedal board, gear shift and engine control centre, and supplies the braking torque necessary to keep the car at a standstill on a slope until the driver releases the clutch to move off.

Navigation and Infotainment:
Fingertip access to navigation and infotainment: Thanks to dashboard provision, management via steering wheel controls and voice instructions, it is possible to ensure maximum safety when driving. This new system will also supply drivers with information in real time concerning the environmental impact of their own driving style, and will suggest how to perfect it through correct handling of gear changes and accelerator pedal.

Start&Stop:
Designed specially for urban or congested route use, the Start&Stop system automatically turns off the engine when traffic conditions impose stopping the vehicle: the gear lever only has to be placed in neutral when the car is at a standstill and the engine stops, while ensuring the continuation of normal functions which guarantee on-board comfort and safety, such as, for example, use of the climate control system, listening to the radio and windscreen wiper operation. As soon as the driver operates the clutch pedal to engage a gear, the engine restarts immediately.

Lighting:
Adaptive cornering foglights, lane change warning, daytime running lights and ‘Follow Me Home’ lighting are all features included in new Punto Evo.

MultiAir and MultiJet technology:
The range of Punto Evo engines includes both Fiat’s MultiAir petrol and second generation MultiJet II diesel engines. All power plants adopted by Punto Evo have been created for the right balance between expectations of performance, fuel consumption, low emissions, and comfort.

eco:Drive:
Fiat’s innovative eco:Drive system for monitoring the driver’s style and environmental impact, is available ‘real-time’ for the first time in a Fiat car, so that drivers can check their eco:Drive rating while on the move.

No sacrifices over safety or style
As with every Fiat, a priority with the Punto Evo is to provide protection for all the family. As standard, every version comes with driver and passenger airbags, together with front and rear adjustable head restraints and it’s one of the few cars in its class to feature a driver’s knee airbag at no extra cost.

Also rare for a car of this size are the optional adaptive front fog lights which switch on automatically, left or right, to illuminate the apexes of bends when negotiating low speed corners. This feature is activated under 40km/h (28mph). Additionally, Punto Evo features Daytime Running Lights (DRL). These front headlights are not designed to light the road but to make the car more visible. They use special bulbs with lower power than those in dipped beam headlights, and are switched on automatically by the ‘key-in’ from the dashboard. Using them does not reduce the luminosity of the dashboard instrumentation which therefore remains clearly visible.

The front fog lights are also used for another Punto Evo safety feature – lane change warning. When indicating to move from one lane to another, the appropriate fog light flashes once at the same time as the first indicator ‘blink’. This feature makes the car even more visible to other traffic during this potentially dangerous manoeuvre. All-new rear lights guarantee that the car is more visible to other road users at night.

On the road there is a powerful and effective braking system supplemented by the latest electronic dynamic control systems. So there’s ABS anti-lock braking with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) and Electronic Stability Program (ESP) with Hill Holder to assist with starting off on a slope. The Punto Evo is the only car in its class to have this latter feature available across the entire range.

In addition to these innovations, there are various options aimed at making driving less tiring, such as climate control, rain sensing windscreen wipers and cruise control.

The Punto Evo proves that just because a car is safe, customers shouldn’t have to scrimp on style. Consequently there have been significant changes to the exterior such as a new front bumper and radiator grille styles which contain the direction indicators and adaptive cornering fog lights.

At the rear there’s a new bumper to incorporate the number plate, those distinctive rear lights, and the centrally-placed Fiat logo that doubles as a boot release. The new bodywork stretches the Punto Evo by 3cm to 406cm, although other dimensions of width, height and wheelbase remain the same as the Grande Punto.

There are also subtle pointers to make distinguishing between different models in the range easier. Sport versions have a hexagonal mesh grille and dark line with an embedded Fiat logo. Comfort models feature a linear-style grille and chrome-coloured line. Headlights are framed dark for Sport models, in chrome for Comfort. And the logo on the tailgate changes according to the model. The Punto Evo’s dot is red for the high performance 135bhp petrol, and black for other engine types. It’s a neat touch that encapsulates the attention to detail, thought and engineering know-how that has gone into producing the new Fiat Punto Evo.

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]]> http://www.autoholiks.com/2010/01/fiat-punto-evo-launched-comes-with-multijet-ii-and-multiair-engines/feed/ 1 Fiat Introduces Second Gen 1.3 Multijet and a new color for 500 by Diesel http://www.autoholiks.com/2010/01/fiat-introduces-second-gen-1-3-multijet-and-a-new-color-for-500-by-diesel/ http://www.autoholiks.com/2010/01/fiat-introduces-second-gen-1-3-multijet-and-a-new-color-for-500-by-diesel/#comments Tue, 26 Jan 2010 12:03:09 +0000 admin http://www.autoholiks.com/?p=242 fiat 500 by diesel midnight indigo blue

The new shade and chrome make the 500 look stunning!

Fiat has choosen the youth fashion show in Berlin to debut a new color and second generation 1.3 Multijet engine for its Fiat 500 by Diesel.

The limited edition version of the hot selling 500, a result of Fiat’s collaboration with clothing brand Diesel owend by Renzo Rosso, will now come in an all new shade called the “Midnight Indigo” blue. The new shade according to Fiat uses micaceous rather than a metallic shade which offers the feeling of iridescent color which varies according to the light, very similar to stone washed fabrics. The new color compliments the already available black and green in the range.

Apart from the new shade, Fiat has also taken this opportunity to introduce second generation of the 1.3 Multijet engine which now develops a maximum of 95 bhp and a healthy 200 nm of torque from almost idle 1500 rpm. The Euro 5 compliant engine also comes with Fiat’s Start&Stop technology as standard.

The Fiat 500 by Diesel get 16″ alloy wheels, imitation rear air intake, satin chrome trim and yellow brake calipers  (only 1.4 litre 100 bhp version) for the exteriors.

The highly customized interiors feature dark denim style fabric with yellow stitching with signature Diesel fifth pocket, gear lever with head of the famous Mohican and satin chrome colored dashboard.

The range of engines include the second gen 1.3 Multijet with 95 bhp, 1.2 Litre 69 bhp petrol, 1.3 Multijet Diesel with 75 bhp and DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter) and the 1.4 litre 16v 100 bhp petrol, all Euro 5 compliant. The engine are mated to either a 5-speed or a 6-speed manual transmission along with the optional 5-speed Dualogic robotised sequential gear box which can only be had with petrol motors.

Jump over for the image gallery and Press Release.


Image Gallery: Fiat 500 by Diesel Midnight Indigo Blue
The new shade and chrome make the 500 look stunning!

Press Release

A new colour and the second-generation 1.3 Multijet engine make their debut on the Fiat 500 by Diesel

The Fiat 500 by Diesel has chosen “Bread & Butter”, the show dedicated to youth fashion in Berlin, to preview of two important new features: “Midnight indigo” blue, a special body colour, and the 1.3 Multijet II 95 HP (Euro 5) with Start&Stop system fitted as standard, the new second-generation turbodiesel, now even more environmentally-friendly and suitable for city driving.

The result of close collaboration between Fiat and Diesel, the famous clothing brand by Renzo Rosso, the model will be limited edition and marketed worldwide. Its success is boundless and from Italy to Japan, to France, almost 6 thousand cars have already been ordered out of the 10 thousand available in total.

In Berlin, within “Bread & Butter”, the Diesel stand and the exclusive Fiat 500 will no doubt attract the attention of the visitors, just as they did at the recent Mumbai Motor Show, India. Spanning a surface area of 700 square metres in the Denim Base section, the Italian label will present its 2010 autumn/winter collections and the new “shop-in-shop/corner” concept, conceived as a genuine stage to present and convey the values of the brand and all its creativity even within multi-brand stores. Features which can also be found in the new Fiat 500 by Diesel.

As regards the new colour, the Centro Stile Fiat (Fiat Style Centre) worked once more with the creative team at Diesel to create a dark blue which recalls the denim used to make jeans. The use of a micaceous rather than a metallic shade offers at first glance the feeling of iridescent colour which varies according to the light, very similar to stone washed fabrics. And this thanks to a finer texture of paint and its ability to create an almost 3-D effect. This new blue also, like the black and green already in the range, perfectly matches the matt paint chosen for the finishes which characterise this model.

The 500 by Diesel is distinguished by some bold aesthetic features, starting with the exterior. Everything is exclusive for this version, the result of the creativity of two teams of designers: the aggressive 16″ alloy wheels, the rear trim with imitation air intake where one of the most famous logos of Italian fashion is set, the yellow brake calipers (only on the 1.4 100 HP version) and the satin chrome painted features, including the mouldings which, with their bosses, revoke the atmosphere of the Diesel fashion world.

The interiors are also highly customised, thanks to the dark denim style fabric with yellow stitching, the fifth pocket with the unmistakable Diesel brand, the head of the famous Mohican on the gear lever knob and the specific satin chrome coloured dashboard.

The range of engines, in addition to the 1.3 Multijet 95 HP mentioned above, includes three Euro 5 power units (the 1.2 69 HP engine, the 1.3 Multijet 75 HP engine with DPF and the 1.4 16v 100 HP engine), each with their own different qualities, all exploited to the full in combination with 5- or 6-speed manual gearboxes (petrol engines can be combined with a 5-speed Dualogic robotised sequential gear box).

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