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FIAT Punto 5 Doors Models/Series Timeline, Specifications & Photos

Generations: 4
First production year: 1994
Engines: Gasoline, Diesel
Body style: Hatchback
FIAT Punto 5 Doors photo gallery

The 2012 Fiat Punto was the facelift for the 2005 Fiat Punto Evo. It was unveiled at the 2005 Frankfurt Motor Show and it brought new engines and new technologies for an already aged model.

The Fiat Punto made a good career since it was launched in 1993. Its evolution from a basic and simple transportation vehicle to a more sophisticated super-mini in 2005 in the form of Grande Punto. The car made a career in motorsport and it was one of the best choices for fleet vehicles. It was available with 3- or 5-doors. The convertible version was already abandoned after the first generation.

In 2005, Giorgetto Giugiaro designed the Grande Punto. It was a larger car, that had to correct all the disadvantages of its predecessor. The 2012 model was enhanced with a new front bumper, with a black mesh-grille for all the range. In the rear, the bumper was body-colored and featured new, elongated fog- and reversing lights.

For the interior, Fiat changed the materials used for the fabrics and the dashboard. New types of equipment were added, such as the Radio-CD with MP3 player, a trip computer, adjustable steering column for reach and height, and more airbags fitted as standard.

For the engine compartment, Fiat offered the TwinAir engine, which was awarded the title “Engine of the year” for under 1-liter displacement. It also featured the 1.3-liter turbocharged diesel engine, which was shared with Opel.

full description and technical specifications
FIAT Punto 5 Doors photo gallery

Fiat introduced a facelift for the second generation of its small-segment vehicle, the Punto, in 2003. It was more than just a new pair of headlights and body-colored bumpers.

These were introduced along with the refreshed version, but that was only to satisfy the market's new taste for sharper lines. Sometimes, the differences between a facelifted and the non-facelifted version of the same car are so subtle that you'd have to be an expert to see them. But it wasn't the same situation as Punto's second generation.

Fiat installed a completely new front fascia for the refreshed Punto lineup, with bigger headlights extended over the hood and swept on the sides. The engineers asked for a grille above the bumper to increase the cooling factor. On the lower side of the bumper, a pair of side-scoops were integrated, with the fog-lights inside. But Fiat still didn't install body-colored door handles. At least the door mirrors were not black anymore for the entire range. The taillights were redesigned and extended over the tailgate, increasing the car's visibility from behind.

Inside, a new dashboard with a slightly different center stack was installed. Depending on the trim option, an electronic climate control system was installed to enhance the driving experience. New materials and new colors contributed to a significant sales increase for the Punto. Thanks to the rear doors, the passengers' access to the back seats was easier.

Fiat installed more powerful engines under the hood, but the base version kept the same 1.2-liter with 60 hp. Three new engines improved the fuel-efficient Punto diesel versions, starting with the newly developed, 69 hp 1.3-liter unit.

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FIAT Punto 5 Doors photo gallery

Fiat enjoyed the remarkable success recorded by Punto's first-generation, and in 1999, it introduced a successor for that, available in three and five doors bodyworks.

The Italian carmaker was already known as a European expert in building small-sized vehicles. Examples such as the 500, the 600, or the 125 are just a few examples. In 1999, Fiat had the advantage of a nameplate already known and, thanks to its expertise, managed to repeat the success.

With a daring design for its class, the Punto was showcased at the 1999 Frankfurt motor show, and it was one of the most important vehicles unveiled there. Its sharp-looking headlights and flowing lines were unusual for the small-segment. Even though it was just a regular vehicle, it tried to show some eye-catching styling. Unlike its three-door sibling, the five-doors version looked more balanced and, thanks to its slimmer C-pillars, more practical in the urban environment.

Fiat tried to make the Punto affordable and, for that, it had to use inexpensive materials inside. The plastic dashboard with a simple instrument cluster and a stereo mounted on the top (offered as an option) was just one example. There was no tachometer or coolant temperature gauge for the base versions, but the full-option brother showed a complete instrument panel, including an on-board computer. In the back, Fiat installed a split-folding seatback for the entire range.

Under the hood, the carmaker installed a choice of five engines. The base-level was powered by a 1.2-liter engine that provided only 60 hp. For better fuel-efficiency, Fiat introduced a 1.9-liter diesel engine with or without a turbocharger.

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FIAT Punto 5 Doors photo gallery

The 5-door Punto was one of Fiat's most successful cars in modern history for the Italian carmaker. Giorgetto Giugiaro designed it.

The Uno lineup was old enough to be replaced, and Fiat didn't want to use the same name again. Its management said to end that and start from a new point (Punto – It.). It was introduced in late 1993 and won the 1995 "Car of The Year" award, beating the Polo, its closest competitor. The small-segment vehicle was a huge success. It was available with three body versions: 3- and 5-door hatchback and a convertible.

Italdesign Studio was responsible for the car's design and considered that the era of boxy-looking vehicles was over. As a result, the edges were softer and rounded. The five-door version featured a slightly ascending beltline, but not as aggressive as the one found on its three-door sibling. At the back, the taillights were installed on the C-pillars to be protected by small parking bumps, especially in the cities where the push-bumper system was usual in tight side-parking spots.

The biodesign trend started to get more attention to the market, which was easy to spot inside the Punto. It featured an unusual-looking dashboard, with a wide shelf extended from left to right. It offered a useful storage area for the front passenger as well. The designer installed a split-folding rear bench seatback to make room for the trunk, expanding the luggage space from 275 liters (9.7 cu-ft) to 1080 liters (38.1 cu-ft).

Fiat chose a wide range of engines for a small-segment vehicle, with power ranged between 57 hp and 90 hp.

full description and technical specifications