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Fiat Group, or Fiat S.p.A., best known for Fiat cars, is an Italian automobile manufacturer, engine manufacturer, financial and industrial group based in Turin, Northern Italy. Founded in 1899 by a group of investors including Giovanni Agnelli, the company name is an acronym for Fabbrica Italiana Automobili Torino (Italian Car Factory of Turin), and it also means "let there be" in Latin. Fiat was also an aircraft manufacturer at one time.
Fiat cars are constructed all around the world; in Italy, Poland, Brazil and Argentina. Joint Venture productions in France, Turkey, Egypt, South Africa, India and China.
Agnelli's grandson Gianni Agnelli was Fiat chairman from 1966 until his death on January 24, 2003. However, from 1996, he only served as an "honorary" chairman, while the chairman was Cesare Romiti. After their removal, Paolo Fresco served as chairman and Paolo Cantarella as CEO. Umberto Agnelli then took over as chairman from 2002 to 2004. After Umberto Agnelli's death on May 28, 2004, Luca Cordero di Montezemolo was named chairman, but Agnelli heir John Elkann became vice chairman at age 28 and other family members are on the board. At this point, CEO Giuseppe Morchio immediately offered his resignation. Sergio Marchionne was named to replace him on June 1, 2004.
The Fiat Punto is a supermini produced by the Italian manufacturer Fiat since 1993. It is currently in its third generation.
Internally codenamed Project 176, the Punto was announced in September 1993 and launched in early 1994 as a replacement for the ageing Fiat Uno. The Punto was voted European Car of the Year for 1995. The Punto's distinctive clean-cut styling by Giorgetto Giugiaro was an instant hit (though one of the car's most recognisable features, the vertical tail lights, were not part of Giugiaro's original design and were in fact added later in-house at Fiat). Competitive pricing which undercut rivals such as the Opel Corsa and Volkswagen Polo also helped the Punto become an instant success in the marketplace.
Entry-level in the Punto range were the 1.1 and 1.2 L petrol engines and the 1.7 diesel. A more powerful 1.6 Sporting was also available (replaced in 1997 by more economic 16 valve 1.2 unit), but the best performing version was the 1.4 GT Turbo - capable of running 124 mph and reaching 60 mph in just 8.3 seconds using an evolution of the turbocharged 128 SOHC engine originally found in the Fiat Uno Turbo Mk II. A cabriolet (convertible) version was also available; built by Bertone (rather than at the main Fiat factory) it featured a powered fully-retracting roof and was one of the cheapest open-top cars in the world at the time.
The second generation Nuova (New) Punto, codenamed Project 188, was launched in 1999. The styling was all-new while retaining the original Punto's distinctive shape and design, while the chassis and interior were completely overhauled. The new Punto also became the first Fiat in decades to carry the original round Fiat badge, to celebrate Fiat's centenary.
The 1.1 and 1.4 turbo engines were discontinued due to emissions issues, and the entry-level models had only a 1.2 petrol unit (with either 8 or 16 valves, giving 60 and 80 hp respectively) or a 1.9 diesel (with or without common-rail injection). Two sporty versions vere offered. The 1.2 16 valve Sporting model, complete with 6 speed gearbox, and the hot 1.8 HGT which could reach almost 130 mph. The HGT accelerates 0-60 in 8.6 secs, it was considered a big improvement in handling over the Mark 1 GT.
The Mark two Fiat Punto has also adopted Dualdrive electric power steering and comes with two operation modes, using an electric motor, rather than a hydraulic pump driven by the engine. This results in reduced fuel consumption and less environmental impact.
Grande Punto
The third generation Punto, codenamed Project 199 and marketed Grande Punto, was unveiled at the 2005 Frankfurt Motor Show and went on sale later that year. Again styled by Giugiaro, the car is based on the Fiat/GM "Small" platform (a new version of GM Gamma platform).
The engines are the 1.2 Fire 8v (65 hp), a new 1.4 Fire 8v (77 hp) and the 1.4 16v (95 hp). Four MultiJet diesel engines are also available: two 1.3 16v units (75 hp and 90 hp, the latter with a variable geometry turbocharger) and two 1.9 with 120 and 130 hp, all of them with diesel particulate filter. All the engines are Euro IV compliant.
The Grande Punto was awarded with 5 stars in the EuroNCAP crash test for passenger protection and Euro NCAP 3 star certification for pedestrian safety. The most powerful engines have electronic stability program and anti slip regulation fitted as standard, and it is an optional extra on some of the lower powered engines.
In Australia, Fiat introduced the Punto in mid 2006; it is the first Fiat to be sold in Australia since 1989. Shortly after its launch, the car was recognised as the most economical car on the market.[1]
The italian made Grande Punto has already been launched in Chile and Mexico, in petrol and diesel versions.
In the rest of South America, the brazilian made Grande Punto, will be launched in Feubrary or March 2007. Codenamed "Project 310", it will be produced in the factory of Betim, Minas Gerais, Brazil. The chassis is a stronger version of the European version of the Punto, due to the differences in the roads in developing countries. At the beginning, the five-door version will be the only available in the brazilian line. The engines will be the 80 hp 1.4 L FIRE 8v and the new Torque 1.8L with 8 and 16v; with 121 and 134cv. In Brazil, al flexible engine is expected (they will work on both gasoline and ethanol).
A sedan version of the Punto, the Fiat Linea, has been announced to be introduced in developing markets as a replacement for the aging Marea. It will be built on an extended version of the Punto's chassis, giving a total length of 4600 mm, making it jump to the small family car segment.
source: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fiat_Punto |
