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Ken Gratton27 Jun 2007
REVIEW

Fiat Punto Dynamic 1.4

Styled by Giugiaro, the Punto is a looker, but its true beauty lies in the clever dual-mode transmission

Road Test

Model: Fiat Punto Dynamic DualLogic 1.4
RRP: $21,490
Price as tested: $21,490
Also consider:
Peugeot 207 XR (more here), Renault Clio Campus, Volkswagen Polo Match

Overall rating: 3.0/5.0
Engine/Drivetrain/Chassis: 3.5/5.0
Price, Packaging and Practicality: 3.5/5.0
Safety: 3.0/5.0
Behind the wheel: 3.0/5.0
X-factor: 2.5/5.0

Compare the Fiat Punto with its light car segment competitors for size. The Fiat is almost a small car in external dimensions. That means it's on the cusp of moving up a market segment.

Indeed, only the Peugeot 207 comes close to matching the Punto in length -- it's the same, down to the last millimetre.

The difference in size between the Fiat and some of its competitors is pretty apparent from the first sighting. With the test car in bright red, it looks bigger still.

So, although the Fiat's competitors will generally be smaller, there'll be some temptation to cross-shop it with quality Japanese or European small cars in the next segment up -- and that's a problem for the Fiat.

Where the Punto makes do with a 1.4-litre engine, some of those similarly priced Japanese and European competitors (such as Holden's Astra, to name one), provide similar or better specifications, larger dimensions still and a larger capacity engine with more power and torque.

Some buyers will set those considerations aside, arguing that the Fiat offers more style and character than potential competitors in the small car segment.

There's no denying that the Fiat is stylish. If it looks like a little 'Maserati' at the front, that's because the same bloke styled the Punto and the Maserati Coupe. That styling also meshes nicely with the Punto's practicality. In other words, form and function do work together in this car.

Among other factors, the Punto's practicality boils down to ease of use, accommodation and economy.

Taking ease of use first, the Punto's transmission is simply a pleasure to operate, once the system has been properly explained.

Basically a manual transmission with sequential shift manual function and automatic mode, the DualLogic box works a whole lot better than the Citroen C3 SensoDrive system.

The icons, graphics and the detente for the selector are not as straight-forward as the Citroen's counterparts, but once these have been explained, the Punto system is surprisingly easy to master.

Coping well with up-changes during heavy throttle acceleration, the transmission doesn't ride the clutch as you might expect. It drops back the engine revs enough to ensure that the engine is at the right speed for the next gear. Gear changes are consequently very smooth.

During our test, the system wouldn't allow manual selection of second gear from a standing start while the vehicle was pointing downhill. This obstinacy was accompanied by audible alarms and a warning in the LCD display ahead of the driver.

Obviously the system recognises grades and won't allow second gear starts, lest the vehicle stall, but it seems it can't distinguish between uphill and downhill grades. It will, however, allow second gear starts on the flat. This is useful on low friction surfaces where finding traction might be a problem in first gear.

Overall gearing is low, providing reasonable acceleration from the 1.4-litre engine. First gear is relatively lower again, to make the car 'unstallable'. This also allows the Punto to crawl along at low speeds in traffic without slipping the clutch until the very last moment, before coming to a standstill.

The lower ratio first gear results in a gap between first and second and the engine bogs down slightly on light throttle openings while accelerating uphill. This gap means that with typical traffic light sprints, the Punto will fall behind if left to its own devices. It's better to hold first longer -- manually -- and then change to second.

The Dualogic transmission is clever at knowing when to shift automatically -- even in manual mode. With the car approaching traffic lights in fourth gear on a trailing throttle, the transmission will shift down to third without any driver input -- and will keep shifting down as the speed slows.

The engine complements the transmission very well. A flat torque curve makes it easy enough to drive, but it's not a real revver. The undersquare design (longer stroke, narrower bore) helps the 1.4-litre SOHC engine muster as much torque as it does. All the same, 115Nm is not exactly a stump-pulling figure. At least the peak occurs at a low 3000rpm.

Peak power is modest too, at 57kW. The Hyundai Excel from 1994 was developing power and torque figures like these -- admittedly with an extra 100cc, but still, that was 13 years ago.

The Punto makes a decent fist of being user-friendly overall, but lets itself down in the field of ergonomics. In respect of the driving position, a driver of average height or taller will likely find the pedals are too close.

Adjusting the seat back far enough to be able to press brake and accelerator without having to raise the knee too high, the driver will then find the steering wheel is out of reach.

Fortunately, the steering wheel is adjustable for both reach and rake, so it can be pulled back towards the driver's new seating position and the backrest can be shifted into an upright position to compensate. That said, by the time the driver has adjusted the seating position enough to be comfortable, there's little rear legroom left.

Taller drivers will also need to adjust the seat height to the lowest setting, otherwise the outboard mirrors run out of adjustment. Both the gear selector and the mirror adjustment gimbal can also be a bit of a stretch once drivers have found a moderately comfortable position.

Having said all that, interior space isn't bad and headroom is particularly good. Passengers will find the seats are firm and European in character. Anyone who has ever sat in a TS Astra will feel right at home in the Punto.

Dashboard styling is pleasant and modern without being over the top. Interior trim materials look durable but lack the panache of some of the car's rivals.

The luggage compartment is deep rather than long and is quite handy for shopping trips, not requiring the driver to stretch far forward to reach something hard up against the rear seat.

Audible chimes operate for the key left in the ignition with the door open or the engine runnning and seat belt not fastened. This helps the Punto reach a five-star rating in EuroNCAP tests.

The Punto has electrically assisted steering, but the weight is about right for a car from Europe. In other words, it's not as light as some Japanese and Korean small cars, unless you select the 'CITY' setting, which adjusts the level of steering assistance for lighter weight.

The feel is okay but it's not like you can pick every grain of sand in the road surface. This detracts from the general effect of the car, which has good road-holding and could offer quite lively cornering if the steering provided more feedback.

With such a tall body and relatively soft ride, you'd expect a bit of lurch during cornering, but the Punto isn't too bad in this regard. The ride is good and well controlled, but the tyres are noisy, particularly over bumps. There's a constant roar over coarser asphalt.

Economy-wise, Punto returns 5.5lt/100km in open road use. Around town and with some pretty protracted bumper-to-bumper work, the trip computer never showed less than 7.7lt/100km average.

Priced at $21,490, the Punto is plainly relying on its unconventional features to compensate for what some might perceive as a shortfall in its standard specification.

It's really aimed at European light cars such as the Polo and the 207. That's well and good if you can offset the better fuel economy of the Punto against the stronger performance of its rivals or else the DualLogic transmission is enough of a practical convenience to make up for the lack of rear disc brakes.

The Punto with Dualogic transmission is thus a car that attempts to be all things to buyers typified by a typical inner suburban couple. One wants a manual, the other wants an auto with lighter steering; parking is a pain and the ROW for the terrace house is no place for a gas-guzzler with an enormous turning circle. We could see the Fiat Punto DualLogic helping a lot of relationships.

 » Get the best price from a Fiat dealer

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Written byKen Gratton
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