Engine, drive and handling
Simply put, the new ’90HP’ variant of the Punto is the output of smart platform sharing. The engine block on the 90hp variant and the regular 1.3-litre Multijet variant currently sold is the same; the ‘new’ engine however gets a variable geometry turbine (VGT) and different state of tune for the ECU, essentially meaning that this is the same mill that propels the Linea diesel. So has this transplant translated into a better performance? You bet! It is a no-brainer that the Punto being a hatchback derivative of the Linea sedan, is a lighter vehicle (100 kg at least). So what this translates into, is a better power to weight ratio (almost 12bhp-per-tonne more) which not only aids in better acceleration but better fuel economy as well.
We drove our sample car for approximately 70-odd kilometers. These included open highways with the occasional congested stretches and even more congested urban roads near Ranjangoan. Even the new Punto is reminiscent of the diesel burble that all the Multijets emit. However, the cabin on this version is quieter than the 75hp, thanks to its better noise, vibration and harshness insulation. Like any other FIAT, this car’s clutch pedal too needs getting used to, but once there, it definitely feels lighter than the other brand’s cars selling in the same showrooms. To be frank, it is very hard to tell the difference between the 90hp and the 75hp versions when crawling through the city traffic. The 90hp engine is definitely smoother off the line than its 75hp variant, and the variable geometry on the turbocharger eases the initial turbo-lag as compared to the fixed geometry turbocharger (FGT) on the 75hp. Expect your overtaking manoeuvres in the cityscape to get a tiny bit quicker.
On the highway however, the 90hp outshines its smaller variant by a significant margin. Hit the pedal to the metal and the Punto will make you feel the new turbocharger kicking-in with a lot more punch. It doesn’t have the acceleration to send your eyeballs down your throat, but its 1.5-seconds quicker 0-100 km/h acceleration over the 75hp model, is enough to bang your head on the headrest every time you shift gears. What is a tad irritating though is that your head repeats the same action in opposite direction when you are down-shifting. Our shorty photographer would have surely banged his head against the steering wheel if he wasn’t wearing the seat belts. So probably that’s FIAT’s way of ensuring that you wear your seat belts every time you decide to drive the Punto 90hp.
The unsettling done by the acceleration and deceleration forces is only restricted to your head position though. Thankfully they don’t initiate any kind of body roll on the car. Even around bends, the car holds its line very well and the 195-section tyres offer optimum grip. Speaking of which, the 90hp engine will only be available on the ‘Emotion Pk’ variant as of now, which means that your car WILL come with the 195-section rubber as opposed to the 185-section tyres on the lower variants. The braking system by Galfer is top notch too and thanks to the rainy season around, we even had a chance to test the ABS quite a number of times on wet, greasy and gravely surfaces during our test stint. After all the thrashing around, the car returned a fuel efficiency figure in the range of 16-17 kmpl. Expect it to be even better with the kind of ethical driving you would do with your own car.
Click on the images for a larger view:
Scroll to the next page for more info on the Design and Interiors