The spotlights at the Bologna Motor Show are turned on the Fiat Punto, and particularly on two world previews: the Punto Natural Power and the Punto Student. Beside them four other cars: the 1.9 JTD Dynamic, the 1.2 Feel, the Sporting 1.2 16v and Paolo Andreucci's Punto Rally, winner of the Italian Super 1600 Championship of 2002 (on a platform of its own together with two competition Stilo's). 

All these many versions still offer the same comfort, the same driving satisfaction and the same performance in terms of safety and respect for the environment. Though the model itself is in fact two different cars, each with its own personality: the original 3-door version for customers seeking a sportier drive and the comfortable 5-door version for those who seek a car whose motto is style and practicality. 

The five power units per model ensure effervescent performance and great flexibility coupled with low noise levels and reduced fuel consumption. Two are diesel units: the 63 kW (85 bhp) 1.9 JTD and the 44 kW (60 bhp) 1.9 diesel. Three are petrol units: 1.2 8 and 16 valve units delivering 44 kW (60 bhp) and 59 kW (80 bhp) respectively, and the 96 kW (130 bhp) 1.8 16v. (From today these engines are joined by a natural gas and petrol unit that equips the Punto Natural). 

Highly comprehensive equipment lists mean the Fiat Punto has nothing to fear from higher segment cars when it comes to safety: three-point seat-belts for the fifth passenger, window-bags, ABS with electronic brakeforce distributor EBD, a Traction Control System (on the HGT). The body does not merely meet EU standards but passes the severe standards required by US and Japanese standards. The Fiat Punto was not awarded 4 stars during EuroNCAP testing for nothing. 

Last but not least, comfort. The climate control system is one of the best in its segment in terms of window demisting, air output and noise levels. Sound-proofing is outstanding. An excellent quality of on-board life is also guaranteed by devices such as a satellite navigation system, Hi-Fi radio, CD changer located on the facia, timed courtesy lights to make it easier to get out of and walk away from the car, smart windscreen wipers and electric windows and seats with memory settings. 
 

Punto Natural Power

The Bologna Motor Show is hosting the world premier of the Punto Natural Power, a car that offers a dual fuel methane and petrol system and is the outcome of Fiat's ongoing research into alternative fuels. 

More specifically, the version is equipped with two independent fuel systems. The car normally runs on methane and only starts up using petrol, when it switches immediately to the other system. In this way, the petrol fuel system remains efficient and is only required when gas pressure in the cylinders drops to near zero. 
It is, however, always possible to switch from one system to the other deliberately by pressing a button on the facia. 

The phased sequential Multipoint system means that the methane system offers all the advantages of a petrol engine. The Fiat Punto Natural Power offers outstanding handling (its power output, when running on methane, is 38 kW at 5000 rpm while its torque is 88 Nm at 3000 rpm), low fuel consumption and, above all, minimum emissions in absolute safety. As far as customers are concerned, this aspect means that the car can be driven through all urban areas subject to traffic restrictions (due to excessive pollution) and also parked in underground car parks. The two methane cylinders in the luggage compartment offer an overall capacity of 65 litres and assure a range of 260 kilometres. 

The Punto Natural Power is a 5-door with a long list of standard equipment: two airbags at the front, Dualdrive electric power steering and ABS. The new version is due to go on sale next year. The application exhibited at Bologna in the form of a prototype, will go on sale on the Punto range next year. 
 

Punto Student

Punto Student, a car designed by the young for the young. These are not empty words but an accurate description of the way we defined an ideal car for Italian students. Our project workshops were attended by students from Trieste University and Turin Polytechnic and leading advertising companies in addition to the usual engineers, technicians and Fiat Auto service specialists. 

We started by giving three hundred students from Trieste University questionnaires and interviews to find out their driving preferences. When responding, they had to specify the qualities of function (usability), aesthetics and symbolism (satisfaction) their ideal car would possess and also the best way to buy it. 

Working in co-operation with Turin Polytechnic, Fiat Auto used this information to convert a Punto 1.2 into a car built to meet the needs of the young. 
This object of desire is on view at the Bologna show. But we are only half way there. We will now ask the young people who visit the Motor Show to fill in a questionnaire to determine whether this version of the Punto really is their dream car. 

The Punto Student can be distinguished on the outside by Tech opaque painted body parts and on the inside by soft-touch paint on the facia and door panels. The real difference between this car and conventional versions lies in two systems of immense appeal to students: a revolutionary infotelematic centre and a very powerful Hi-Fi system. 

The former features: 

- a Sony-Ericcson T68i GPRS mobile phone; 
- Compaq iPaq palm pilot model 3870 with GPS and Navigation System; 
- a Bluetooth connection, the new radio connection that allows the various in-car telematic and electronic devices to interact without the use of conventional wiring; 
- an Internet connection (TIM) including new multimedia services known as EMS (Enhanced Messaging Services) and MMS (Multimedia Message Services), that allow photos and images to be sent to the accompaniment of written or musical messages. 

From the mobile WEB centre to a sound system that really is one of a kind. The Fiat Student offers a hi-fi music system that includes 14 neodimium speakers with 2 highly efficient amplifiers and 7 channels of 100 Watts each. 

The Punto Student was conceived for the young in terms of its features but also in terms of the fact that it can be purchased using an advantageous finance package. This finance deal is the first proper application of an idea that came up in the Punto Student workshop. The 'Formula 30 e lode' [Honours Formula] is a custom finance package developed by Sava and already available over the entire Punto range. A product unique to Italy that will be particularly welcomed by younger customers. 
More specifically, the 'Formula 30 e lode' is a plan made up of two successive finance deals. The first offers an advantageous rate and 30 low monthly instalments equivalent to about € 30 per week (if a 35% deposit is paid for the purchase of a Punto 1.2 EL 3 door). The offer is restricted to students who buy a Punto and can prove that they are enrolled in a University Faculty (an enrolment certificate must be shown). 

After 30 months, you can finish paying for your car by settling the outstanding amount or paying it off in instalments. Another alternative is to take out another loan to buy a new car from the Fiat Group (not necessarily a Punto). The second loan offers two specific features: firstly, a rate that is bound to appeal because it is index-linked to the average mark obtained in university examinations (the higher the average marks, the lower the rate), secondly - no arrangement fee.

This system therefore rewards the best students, who can take out a loan for 36 months provided they gain an average mark higher than 24/30 (demonstrated by showing a copy of the certificate showing exams taken). 

Free roadside assistance is included in both finance packages covered by the 'Formula 30 e lode'.