|
 It's
improved aerodynamics over the "Uno"
was a visual and technical improvement,
and although it was set out as a totally
new car, it kept certain characteristics
of its predecessor. The main one being its
valuable use of internal cabin space that
was advantageous over other cars in its
category. As with most hatchbacks, it was
also released in 3 and 5 door versions.
Soon after a Cabriolet was released, still
designed by Giugiaro and specially constructed
by Bertone. Due to loss of its upper structure,
lower chassis areas were reinforced, including
a roll bar incorporated into the pillars
of the windshield.
| The
engines powering the Mk1 Punto came
in many size and variations, with one
to suit any need or requirement. These
included the Fire 1108cc (54hp), 1242cc
with either single (60hp) or multipoint
injection (73hp), SOHC 1581cc (88hp),
turbocharged 1372cc (136hp GT1) and
diesel powered units including: 1698cc
n/a diesel producing 54bhp and a turbo
diesel model of the same capacity producing
71bhp. An automatic model using the
1242cc FIRE engine fitted with CVT was
released as the "Selecta".
Later models that used the 1581cc petrol
engine [excluding the ELX] was later
exchanged with a more economical 1242cc
16v [86hp] unit. |
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In
terms of the safety, the Punto offered
a designed structure to solve much
more rigorous tests of shock, including
the lateral protection of impact,
dual front air bags (optional in
some models), several systems of
protection against fires including
an emergency fuel cutoff valve,
belts with optional pretension and
ABS in some versions. Updating the
"Uno's" suspension setup
improved road handling and passenger
comfort, by introducing independent
trailing arms with auxiliary anti-roll
bar.
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| The
protection against bodywork and structural
corrosion was another area that Fiat
took note of with the new Punto design.
60% of the car's chassis was galvanised,
including 90% of the outer surface.
Testing of the effectiveness was long
and severe, designed to finally insure
a change to the poor reputation that
some Italian cars had in this area. |
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The
specification range of the Mk1 was
almost as varied as it's engine
range, broken down into 5 main models:
S, SX, ELX, Sporting and GT, each
including 1 or more driver aid(s)
and exterior/interior accessories
than the last. Whilst the lower
models and the GT was released at
the launch, the Sporting and Cabriolet
were released later on. In
May 1995 the Sporting was launched
with the 1581cc engine using lower
gearing than the ELX to optimise
0-60 times. It was also given extra
body trim, alloy wheels and lower
suspension to give it a "sporty"
feel. The 1581cc engine was replaced
in 1997 with a 1242cc 16v FIRE engine,
a factory tuned engine to minimise
performance differences. The cabriolet
also followed suit with a down size
of engines. The GT model had 2 further
releases, with no real significant
advances bar engine setup changes
and interior updates.
The
mk1 was put into retirement in 1999,
after 6 years of service.
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-
Original promotional shots of the Fiat Punto
Mk1 -
 
 
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