In depth : Fiat Punto EVO

2010 Fiat Punto EVO

TURIN : September 29, 2009 - Unveiled in a world premiere at the recent Frankfurt Motor Show, the new Fiat Punto Evo is officially launched today. It aims to build on the success of its predecessor, the Grande Punto, and become a benchmark for innovation, safety and style thanks to several new features.

The name “Evo” highlights a level of evolution in car design that is capable of satisfying customers who are increasingly demanding in terms of technology, driveability and respect for the environment.

2010 Fiat Punto EVO - Media presentation on board the Cavour aircraft carrier

The technological excellence of the Punto Evo is in evidence primarily through the broad range of Euro 5 engines, including the second-generation 1.3 MultiJet and the 1.4 MultiAir - the revolutionary technology developed by Fiat Powertrain Technologies that will gradually be adopted by all Fiat Group engines. Alongside these innovative power units and the more traditional ones are the hybrid methane and LPG systems, combining to form the most complete and eco-friendly engine range in the segment, bar none.

Still with reduced consumption and emissions in mind, the new Punto Evo offers Start&Stop, the system that temporarily switches off the engine when you stop the car. Start&Stop comes as standard on all new Euro 5 petrol and diesel engines.

Inside the car, there is also a debut for the new Blue&Me-TomTom infotainment system, whose practical colour touch-screen allows you to manage phone calls, satellite navigation and all the driving information you need, which it downloads directly from the on-board computer systems.

The Fiat Punto Evo raises the bar in the field of safety with its seven airbags. It is one of the few cars in its class to provide a driver knee bag as standard across all trims. As well as the usual ABS, EBD (Electronic Brakeforce Distribution) and ESP (Electronic Stability Program) systems, there are other useful features such as the Hill Holder system, which helps the driver with hill starts by keeping the car stationary for a few seconds in order to prevent it from rolling backwards, and the adaptive cornering front fog lights that come on automatically on dipped beam according to the steering angle.

Finally, the Fiat Punto Evo is even more attractive thanks to the work done by Fiat's Centro Stile. The interiors (dashboard, seats and instruments) have been completely revamped to make them more plush and elegant, and the car has a new eye-catching shape.

The Fiat Punto Evo will be available to buy from the second half of October. It aims to establish itself as a European market leader in the hugely important supermini segment.

2010 Fiat Punto EVO - Media presentation on board the Cavour aircraft carrier

Media presentation on board the Cavour aircraft carrier

The Fiat Punto Evo was presented to the international media on board the Cavour aircraft carrier, the new flagship of the Italian Navy which is the country's largest post-war naval construction and the biggest technological investment by the defence ministry. The project to build the ship, known as NUM, began in November 2000. It involved the Navy teaming up with national shipyard Fincantieri and the national defence industry to adopt the latest design and construction methods and develop advanced systems. The fruit of their joint labour is now a symbol of global prestige for the entire Italian military and industrial system.

Both the Cavour aircraft carrier and the Punto Evo are symbols of technological excellence and of Italy, representing the culmination of an evolutionary process involving advanced technologies and innovative features. That is why the Cavour flagship was the perfect launch-pad for a car that wants to be at the forefront of engine innovation, respect for the environment, safety and style.

Fiat Punto EVO specification

ENGINE	1.2 8v 65 HP (petrol)
No. of cylinders, layout	4 in line, transverse forward
Bore x stroke (mm)	70.8 x 78.9
Displacement (cc)	1.242
Compression ratio	11.0:1
Max power output EC: kW (HP) at rpm	48 (65) 5500
Peak torque EC: Nm (kgm) at rpm	102 (10.4) 3000
Emission standard	euro 4
Timing system (drive)	1 OHC (mechanical tappets)
Fuel supply	Electronic MPI, sequential and timed
Number of valves per cylinder	2

TRANSMISSION
Drive	front
Gearbox, number of gears	5 + reverse
Ratios :
I	3.909
II	2.158
III	1.48
IV	0.121
V	0.921
VI	-
Reverse	3.818

STEERING SYSTEM
Steering box	DualdriveTM electric power steering
Turning circle (m)	10

BRAKES D (disc) with ABS
Front: dia. (mm)	D 257 (ventilated)
Rear: dia. (mm)	T 203

SUSPENSION
Front	independent, McPherson, telescopic shock absorbers (stabiliser bar and special spring setting on Fun/Racing)
Rear	interconnected wheels with torsion beam, telescopic shock absorbers (special spring setting on Fun/Racing)

WHEELS
Tyres	175/65 r15 - 185/65 r15 - 195/55 r 16

DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase (mm)	2510
Front/rear track (mm)	1473/1466
Length/width/height (mm)	4065/1687/1490
VDA Luggage compartment capacity (dm3)	275

CAPACITIES - WEIGHTS
Fuel tank (l)	45
Weight (kg)	1015 3-door - 1030 5-door
Max towable weight (kg)	900

PERFORMANCE
Top speed (km/h)	155
Acceleration (s) 0 -100 km/h	14.5

FUEL CONSUMPTION - Dir. 2004/3/EC (l/100 km)
urban	7.3
extra-urban	4.8
combined	5.7
CO2 emissions combined (g/km)	135