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Fiat Grande Punto

Pedestrian-impact rules sculpted the Grande Punto's miniature-Maserati face.1

Researched October 30, 2026 from 28 sources

Also called

  • mini-MaseratiFiat's styling pitch for the original Grande Punto, whose elongated headlights were shaped by pedestrian-impact rules.12

At a glance

0100200
65–185 hpPower
01020
7.9–16.9 s0–100 km/h
0125250
155–216 km/hTop speed
0150300
102–280 N·mTorque
07501,500
1,015–1,260 kgWeight

The coral arc spans the family, from its mildest version to its wildest.23481516

Layout
Transverse front engine, front-wheel drive513
Gearbox
Launch FIRE/75 hp diesel: 5-speed; other diesels: 6-speed; Dualogic option1114
Built at
Melfi/Turin, Italy; Betim, Brazil; Ranjangaon (FIAPL), India3

The story

Aimed at younger Europeans, the third-generation Punto arrived in 2005 alongside its predecessor. Giorgetto Giugiaro's Italdesign bodywork gained its elongated headlights from pedestrian-impact rules.13

2005: The third Punto joins the old one20052007: Abarth's first comeback road car20072008: A refresh and an esseesse kit20082009: Punto Evo adds MultiAir · 100,994 km, then a clean diesel teardown20092012: Punto name returns; TwinAir joins · Scorpione: just 199 worldwide20122017: From five adult stars to zero overall20172018: India's Punto production ends in November2018 Fiat Punto (first generation) (176): 1993–1999176Fiat Punto (second generation) (188): 1999–2011188Fiat Grande Punto (199): 2005–2018199Fiat Punto Evo: 2009–2012Fiat Punto (2012 facelift): 2012–2018 1995200020052010201520202025
GenerationsBefore and afterMilestones39111219212223
Show the numbers
YearWhat happened
1993–1999Fiat Punto (first generation) (176)
1999–2011Fiat Punto (second generation) (188)
2005–2018Fiat Grande Punto (199)
2009–2012Fiat Punto Evo
2012–2018Fiat Punto (2012 facelift)
2005The third Punto joins the old one
2007Abarth's first comeback road car
2008A refresh and an esseesse kit
2009Punto Evo adds MultiAir
2009100,994 km, then a clean diesel teardown
2012Punto name returns; TwinAir joins
2012Scorpione: just 199 worldwide
2017From five adult stars to zero overall
2018India's Punto production ends in November
  1. 2005

    The third Punto joins the old one

    Launched in Italy on September 10, the Grande Punto initially sold alongside the Punto II as the third generation of the Punto family.3

  2. 2007

    Abarth's first comeback road car

    The revived Abarth brand's first road car used a 153 hp 1.4 L turbo; Sport Boost raised maximum torque from 206 to 230 Nm.456

  3. 2008

    A refresh and an esseesse kit

    New cabin materials and darkened Sport headlights refreshed the range; Abarth's service-center esseesse kit upgraded the turbo, brakes and suspension.78

  4. 2009

    Punto Evo adds MultiAir

    Punto Evo added MultiAir's electrohydraulic intake control and a new dashboard in October, joining Grande Punto and Punto Classic on sale.9

  5. 2009

    100,994 km, then a clean diesel teardown

    After AUTO BILD's 100,994 km test of the 1.3 MJT 16V, almost all engine and gearbox parts still met original assembly tolerances.10

  6. 2012

    Punto name returns; TwinAir joins

    Grande Punto and Punto Evo gave way to Punto 2012; a 0.9 L TwinAir joined a range offered in Pop, Easy, GBT and Lounge trims.31112

  7. 2012

    Scorpione: just 199 worldwide

    Abarth Punto Scorpione combined a 177 hp engine with the esseesse KONI chassis package; its worldwide run was limited to 199.4

  8. 2017

    From five adult stars to zero overall

    The 2005 Grande Punto earned five adult-protection stars; the Punto's 2017 retest returned zero overall, partly for missing safety assists.311

  9. 2018

    India's Punto production ends in November

    Production of the Punto and its Abarth and Avventura derivatives in India ended in November.3

Every generation

  • Fiat Punto (first generation)
    1761993–1999
  • Fiat Punto (second generation)
    1881999–2011
  • Fiat Grande Punto
    1992005–2018
  • Fiat Punto Evo
    Fiat Punto Evo2009–2012
  • Fiat Punto (2012 facelift)
    Fiat Punto (2012 facelift)2012–2018

Power over the years

From 65 hp to 185 hp in 2 years.

050100150200 200620082010201220142016 hp 2006 · 65 hp · UK launch 1.2 FIRE2006 · 77 hp · UK launch 1.4 FIRE2006 · 90 hp · UK launch 1.3 MultiJet 902006 · 95 hp · 1.4 16V petrol announced2006 · 120 hp · UK launch 1.9 MultiJet 1202007 · 120 hp · 1.4 T-Jet Sporting2007 · 153 hp · Abarth Grande Punto2008 · 185 hp · Abarth Grande Punto esseesse kit2010 · 161 hp · Abarth Punto Evo MultiAir (Japan)2012 · 177 hp · Abarth Punto Super Sport2015 · 145 hp · Abarth Punto Evo (India) 185 hp Abarth Grande Punto esseesse kit 65 hp UK launch 1.2 FIRE
45811141617
Show the numbers
YearHorsepowerModel
200665UK launch 1.2 FIRE
200677UK launch 1.4 FIRE
200690UK launch 1.3 MultiJet 90
2006951.4 16V petrol announced
2006120UK launch 1.9 MultiJet 120
20071201.4 T-Jet Sporting
2007153Abarth Grande Punto
2008185Abarth Grande Punto esseesse kit
2010161Abarth Punto Evo MultiAir (Japan)
2012177Abarth Punto Super Sport
2015145Abarth Punto Evo (India)

Versions

10 versions worth knowing, with their power.

  • Active / Active Sport / Dynamic / Eleganza / Emotion

    Standard

    Active / Active Sport / Dynamic / Eleganza / Emotion

  • Standard

    Grande Punto Natural Power

    2008

    69 hp
  • Punto Evo Team / Dynamic / Emotion / Sport

    Standard

    Punto Evo Team / Dynamic / Emotion / Sport

    2009–2012

  • Punto Pop / Easy / GBT / Lounge

    Standard

    Punto Pop / Easy / GBT / Lounge

    2012

  • Performance

    Grande Punto 1.9 Multijet Sporting

    2006

    130 hp
  • Abarth Grande Punto

    Performance

    Abarth Grande Punto

    2007–2010

    153 hp

  • Performance

    Abarth Punto Evo (Japan)

    2010

    161 hp
  • Abarth Punto Super Sport

    Special

    Abarth Punto Super Sport

    2012

    177 hp
  • Abarth Grande Punto esseesse

    Performance

    Abarth Grande Punto esseesse

    2008

    177 hp

  • Limited

    Abarth Punto Scorpione

    2012

    177 hp

    199 built

How to spot one

Look for

  • Early cars have elongated headlights and a split, Maserati-like grille.3
  • A rising waistline and raised wheel arches define the sides.3
  • Small vertical taillights leave more room for the hatch opening.3
  • The original Punto rear script turns the P into a driver at the wheel.3
  • Scorpion badges on grille, sides and tailgate identify the original Abarth Grande Punto.6

Year by year

  1. 2007

    A revised Fiat badge arrived, alongside a darker dashboard, chrome details and new instrument graphics.3

  2. 2008

    Comfort trims gained an all-silver grille and new wheels; cabin materials and instruments changed, with carbon-look trim on some versions.37

  3. 2008 (Racing/Sport)

    Sport gained darkened headlights; Racing's optional Design pack added dark lights, body-color skirts and spoiler, plus chrome mirrors.7

  4. 2009 (Punto Evo)

    Punto Evo gained a large front intake, a 500-style whisker, LED rear lights and a completely redesigned dashboard.9

  5. 2010 (Abarth Punto Evo)

    Abarth's Evo switched to body-color arch extensions and skirts, a black-trimmed rear diffuser and Y-spoke wheels.16

  6. 2012

    The Punto name returned with color-matched bumpers, new seat fabrics and dashboard inserts.1112

Against its rivals

  • Renault Clio 1.2 TCE

    Grande Punto vs Renault Clio 1.2 TCE

    First three services lower is better

    Grande Punto630 £
    Renault Clio 1.2 TCE675 £
    24
  • Mazda 2 (1.5)

    Grande Punto vs Mazda 2 (1.5)

    0–96.6 km/h lower is better

    Grande Punto8.7 s
    Mazda 2 (1.5)10 s
    24

The rest of the story is in the app

The full file tells why each version matters, the legend behind the car and what to check before buying one.

  • Versions

    • Why each of the 10 versions matters

  • Legend

    • 14 stories from its legend
    • “An IRC crown and four European titles”
    • “Need for Speed tuning became a real kit”

  • Generations

    • The story of each of the 5 generations

  • Market

    • 6 things to check before buying one
    • Where prices are heading, and why
Read the full file in SPOT

SPOT is free on iPhone. Full car files come with SPOT Plus.

Sources

Every fact on this page links to the source it rests on.

See all 28 sources
  1. Giugiaro's New Grande Punto's face is similar to the Maserati one italdesign.it
  2. Fiat Grande Punto Sporting | Auto Express autoexpress.co.uk
  3. Fiat Grande Punto - Wikipedia it.wikipedia.org
  4. 2012 ABARTH PUNTO SUPER SPORT / SCORPIONE｜アバルトの歴史を刻んだモデル No.059 | ABARTH SCORPION MAGAZINE abarth.jp
  5. Fiat Grande Punto Abarth | evo evo.co.uk
  6. Abarth Grande Punto | Auto Express autoexpress.co.uk
  7. Fiat Grande Punto aufgefrischt - AUTO BILD autobild.de
  8. 2009 ABARTH GRANDE PUNTO ESSEESSE 185 BHP 8,865 MILES | Saturday 1st & Sunday 2nd April | Anglia Car Auctions angliacarauctions.co.uk
  9. Fiat Punto Evo: eccola! - alVolante alvolante.it
  10. Dauertest Fiat Grande Punto - AUTO BILD autobild.de
  11. Used Fiat Grande Punto review | Auto Express autoexpress.co.uk
  12. Updated Fiat Punto less than �10,000 | News | by Car Enthusiast carenthusiast.com
  13. Fiat Punto 2006 Review - carsales.com.au carsales.com.au
  14. New Fiat Grande Punto on sale now | News | by Car Enthusiast carenthusiast.com
  15. Fiat Grande Punto review | CompleteCar.ie completecar.ie
  16. 2010 ABARTH PUNTO EVO｜アバルトの歴史を刻んだモデル No.057 | ABARTH SCORPION MAGAZINE abarth.jp
  17. Abarth Punto Evo, Avventura powered by Abarth launched | Autocar India autocarindia.com
  18. Test Drive: Grande Punto Natural Power - Ecomotori.net ecomotori.net
  19. Fiat Punto Evo: gamme et tarifs autoplus.fr
  20. Punto Blackmotion chega por R$ 49.900 - AUTOO autoo.com.br
  21. Fiat Punto (1993) - Wikipedia it.wikipedia.org
  22. Fiat Punto (1999) - Wikipedia it.wikipedia.org
  23. IGCD.net: Fiat Grande Punto in Need for Speed: Most Wanted igcd.net
  24. Renault Clio vs Fiat Grande Punto vs Mazda 2: 2007 group test | Auto Express autoexpress.co.uk
  25. Abarth Grande Punto S2000 - Wikipedia it.wikipedia.org
  26. The screaming naturally aspirated S2000 trailblazer – DirtFish dirtfish.com
  27. news | FIAT: Grande Punto star con Need For Speed motorbox.com
  28. RECALLS & KNOWN FAULT/ISSUES. | FIAT Grande Punto | The FIAT Forum fiatforum.com
  • italdesign.it
  • autoexpress.co.uk
  • it.wikipedia.org
  • abarth.jp
  • evo.co.uk
  • autobild.de
  • angliacarauctions.co.uk
  • alvolante.it
  • carenthusiast.com
  • carsales.com.au
  • completecar.ie
  • autocarindia.com
  • ecomotori.net
  • autoplus.fr

Photo credits

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