Fiat India is all set to follow the launch of the revised Linea sedan with the introduction of the new Grande Punto. The upgraded Grande Punto will go on sale sometime in early August this year and will feature a new look and new interiors.
The look of the new car is very different from the earlier one. It features swept-back headlamps, a squared out grille and intricately detailed bumpers. Fiat hasn’t tinkered with the classic profile of the Grande Punto, of course; those spot on proportions and that perfect stance are still there to wow onlookers. The only give away, from side-on, is the new design of the alloy wheels.
While the extent of changes to styling at the rear is still not clear, what we do know is that the Grande Punto will be a whole lot different inside the cabin. And that’s thanks to its new dashboard, similar to what we saw on the India-bound Avventura. The new dash will be similar in design and layout to what you get on the new Linea and that’s a very big positive. But owing to stricter costs, the Grande Punto cabin is unlikely to come with certain frills like the colour screen, soft touch plastics and mood lighting.
As before, the Grande Punto will be offered with 1.2-litre petrol and 1.3-litre diesel engine options. The 1.3-litre will further be available in two states of tune – 75bhp and 89bhp.
Unfortunately, Fiat will not launch the Grande Punto with the 1.4-litre T-Jet turbo-petrol motor from the Linea, though this engine could be offered in the future.
The carmaker will follow-up the launch of the Grande Punto with the Avventura crossover that is scheduled to go on sale within this year.
NIKHIL BHATIA