Fiat Brazil acknowledges that defending sales leadership in the domestic market is tougher than conquering it (it has been on top for three or five three years, depending on how you crunch the numbers).
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So it hopes the launch of the redesigned (Grande) Punto, which it claims is the most advanced compact produced in South America, will help it stay in top slot.
First introduced in Europe in 2005, the latest Punto – sold here in five-door form only – competes directly with the Volkswagen Polo and Citroën C3 in what is a premium segment in this market.
Rear headroom is a little lacking and, compared to the older Palio also sold here, the boot (trunk) is a little smaller.
The equipment specification is impressive. Fiat Brazil is offering a similar multi-media system – developed with Microsoft – to the system branded ‘Blue and Me’ for Europe.
Highlights of the Brazilian version match the European edition and include Bluetooth connectivity with voice command for the audio and phone functions (including voice-synthesis SMS text message read-out) and iPod/MP3 music player connection.
Two front airbags and ABS (now mandatory in the European union) are optional for a special subsidised price. The new Punto is also the first locally-built car to be available with side curtain airbags and anti-whiplash front head restraints. Side glass is also laminated.
Brazil is the home of the one-litre car, not least due to the ‘popular car’ tax regime that gives these low-displacement models favourable tax breaks – until recently they took 55% of sales.
But Fiat has now phased out its 1,000cc engines, like its direct competitors, and the latest Punto is the largest and heaviest car in its segment.
To cope with the extra kilos, the entry-level 1.4-litre flexible-fuel engine has been updated, gaining 5bhp to 86bhp on ethanol and 85 bhp on petrol.
The 1.8-litre engine (from the now dissolved joint venture with General Motors) rated at 115/113bhp in the upmarket HLX and Sporting versions is, however, the better all-rounder though the production mix is forecast at 70% in favour of the smaller engine which performs well only on flat terrain.
Fiat’s goal is a quite feasible 3,000 units monthly.
Fernando Calmon
