The Fiat Grande Punto is the third generation of the FIAT urban hatchback. Both predecessors of the FIAT Grande Punto were for a long time among the most popular cars on the European market, and the income from their sales allowed the FIAT Auto concern to stay afloat. FIAT expects that Grande Punto will sell at least as well, and in Russia special hopes are pinned on it: it must regain confidence in the FIAT brand and form the Fiats' image as stylish toys for the “golden youth”.
The history of the development of "Fiat style" has taken its next turn: if FIAT Punto I was solved in the spirit of then fashionable biodesign, and FIAT Punto II sported bold, sharp lines and angular shapes, then FIAT Grande Punto 5D successfully combines the features of both previous directions. Moreover, it refers to the best traditions of the Italian design school: Fiat cars of the 60s and the modern Maserati coupe. The Italians did not dare to continue the line started in the interior design: inside the FIAT Grande Punto car is just a European city hatchback.
The Russian range of Grande Punto engines includes three petrol four-cylinder engines. The basic eight-valve with a working volume of 1.2 liters develops 65 liters. with. A step higher is a pair of 1.4-liter engines. In the eight-valve version, it produces 77 liters, in the 16-valve version - 95 liters. It was not planned to supply diesel FIAT Grande Punto to Russia.
Prices for FIAT Grande Punto start at 420 thousand rubles, which is estimated at a 1.2-liter three-door in the basic configuration. The equipment will be quite good: Follow me home device, immobilizer, electric drive and heated mirrors, front power windows, electric power steering, ABC with EBD system, airbags. Exactly the same equipment 1.4-liter Fiat Grand Punto will cost 455 thousand rubles, and the 95-strong version - at least 625 thousand rubles.
Few are ready to pay about 15.5 thousand US dollars for a car of this class in Russia; in addition, some buyers believe that FIATs are not very reliable at all, and changing stereotypes is not a matter of one or even two years. But as a second car in the family to buy it, I think, will be more willing. But such sales, of course, will not amount to tens of thousands.
