Fiat releases new official images, a video (after the jump) and more info about their new Punto, which is just about to debut on the market. The revamped 2012 version of the Fiat Punto is something more than a mere restyling: the term ‘restyling’ in fact wouldn’t do justice to the sort of heavy upgrade that the long-running Fiat hatchback has just endured, which affected the model in both shape and content. The new range comes with a new engine line-up too, making it even clearer that the new range represents a huge step forward in the comparison to the outgoing Punto Evo series. From an aesthetic point of view the new Punto for the year 2012 retrieves some elements of the more successful Grande Punto series, that debuted in 2005: the rear bumper in fact loses the contrasting insert, the indicators move closer to the air intake and the redesigned front bumper is now painted in the same color of the fairing. By the way, three new exterior colors have been added to the paint options: Blu Profondo (Deep Blue), Rosso Elegante (Elegant Red) and Grigio Affascinante (Fascinating Gray). Besides, the car now rolls on new 15″ alloy wheels.

As for the engine range, the 2012 Fiat Punto (which has no ‘Grande’ or ‘Evo’ tags attached to its name) will be made available with the following petrol options: a new 0.9-litre TwinAir unit delivering 85 hp at 5,500 rpm and 145 Nm from 2,000 giri/min; a 1.2-litre producing 69 hp; a 77 hp 1.4; a 1.4-litre MultiAir engine producing 105 hp and 1.4 MultiAir Turbo producing 135 hp. On the diesel side we have a brand new 1.3-litre Multijet II unit available in three power configurations - 75, 85 and 95 hp - while for the bi-fuel team we have petrol/LPG and petrol/methane powertrains combined with the aforementioned naturally aspirated 1.4-litre engine. All these engines will come with standard Start-Stop system and gear shift indicator.

The newly added 0.9-litre TwinAir unit boasts an average fuel consumption of 24 km/l, with CO2 emissions rated at 98 g/km only. The customer that will choose this engine will also be given an extra option for color of the livery, the exclusive Verde Energetico (Energetic Green), which can be mated to a black rooftop. The whole range will be available in three versions - Comfort, Sport and Fun to Drive - each one of which will be available in six different trims: the more traditional ‘Pop’, ‘Easy’ and ‘Lounge’, the dynamic ‘Racing’ and ‘Sport’ and, for those more focused on the ‘green’ side of things, the ‘TwinAir’.

Continue reading: 2012 Fiat Punto: pictures, video and info

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Fiat is at the Bologna Motor Show with a few interesting models. The Italian carmaker anticipates the 2012 version of the Fiat Punto with the Punto Born This Way Concept, sporting a matt yellow paint job in contrast with the glossy black roof, door handles, wing mirror covers and 17″ rims. Besides, all four brake disc calipers are also painted in matt yellow. Under the bonnet there is a supercharged 1.4-litre MultiAir engine with start-stop system delivering 135 hp and 206 Nm of peak torque. The Punto Born This Way Concept can reach 205 km/h top speed (127 mph) with just 129 g/km of CO2 emissions.

The other star at the Fiat’s stand is the 500 Nation Limited Edition, adopting a mostly pearl-white color scheme called Blu America also featuring an American Flag theme for the wing-mirror covers, customized decals and 16″ alloys with a thin red outline. Then there is the even more exclusive 500C National Limited Edition, with red foldable roof top, American Flag graphics and 16″ alloys with thin blue outline. Last but not least there is the new Panda, which is likely to become the more sought-after model at the booth once the fair will open its doors to the general public. We will have a more in-depth look at this model soon.

View the full Fiat line up at the 2011 Bologna Motor Show full gallery

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A new version of the Fiat Punto dubbed ‘Blue&Me’ is now available. This new variation offers good value for money, uses diesel and petrol engines as well as bi-fuel engines (LPG/petroleum and methane/petroleum) and is easily recognizable by its shiny blue color and 15″ alloy wheels. It also features 4 airbags, air-conditioner, radio with CD/mp3 player and, obviously, the Blue&Me infotainment system which has already been installed on over 1.500.000 vehicles from Fiat, Lancia, Alfa Romeo, Fiat Professional and Iveco.

The Blue&Me system allows the driver to handle incoming phone calls, text messages and audio system without taking his hands off the steering wheel, and it can be integrated with the TomTom GO LIVE 1000 sat-nav (also available upon request), allowing the driver to manage all the information he might need for the driving in a very comfortable way. Moreover, the eco:Drive software makes it possible to analyze the driving style and collect information on how to reduce fuel consumption. The Punto Blue&Me is available with 1.2 (69hp) and 1.4 (77hp) petrol engines, the Multijet II diesel engine (75hp), the 1.4 methane powered engine (70 CV) and a LPG engine (77hp).

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The first proper images of the new Fiat Palio have surfaced on the internet just few weeks ahead of its official launch. The car will soon enter the Brazilian market - where it will replace the current version of the Palio - while it is still unclear whether it will eventually be marketed in Europe. In this case, it would become Fiat’s new entry level model for the B-segment in place of the Fiat Punto Classic.

A sedan version of the Palio (re-named Siena) will also be produced, sharing its platform with the new Uno and Ypsilon models. Engine range will include the well known 1.0 and 1.4 Fire Evo and the brand new 1.6 E-torQ engine (115 hp). As anticipated in the last Product Plan issued by the Fiat group, a Dodge re-badged version of this car will enter the markets of the NAFTA area in 2012.

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The new Fiat Punto is to get a US debut before appearing on the European car market according to reports from the LA auto show. Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne has admitted that the Fiat Punto is destined first for the US, with the local European market following. In an interesting show of faith in the hatchback model, Marchionne said that it will be the most significant car for the Fiat brand, with the new Punto manufacturing starting in 2013.

Marchionne has described the Fiat-Chrysler deal as an inextricable connection, and has suggested that it could be the Dodge brand to take on distribution of the Punto in the North American market. The statements came at the inauguration of the first Fiat dealership in Los Angeles, where Marchionne also stated that Chrysler would be back on the stock exchange by end 2011 to help pay off the massive debt of the brand.

Source | IlSole24Ore via Autoblog.it

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As you may well imagine, Volkswagen did very nicely in the European market for 2009, as did Opel and Ford (and there’s no prizes for guessing for which models). There are a couple of surprises though, with Fiat doing very well, but not with the Fiat 500, which makes a nice change, and Peugeot and Renault put in appearances as well. Check out Europe’s top ten cars for 2009 after the jump.

Continue reading: Europe's top ten cars for 2009

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Some car trivia for the weekend was required as we get down to the business of Christmas cheer, and in this gallery we take a look at all the Car of the Year models from 1964 to today. This year, the humble Volkswagen Polo took out the title, marking the 47th since the award was incepted. The Car of the Year award is judged by seven European car magazine titles: Autocar in the UK, Stern in Germany, Vi Bilägare in Sweden, Autovisie in the Netherlands, L’Automobile Magazine in France, Auto in Italy, and Autopista in Spain.

The first Car of the Year back in 1964 was the Rover 2000, and things have come a long way since then. The Car of the Year must be a new vehicle that is available to at least five European markets in the year in question. Criteria such as design, comfort, performance, safety, practicality, ecology and economy, price and overall driveability are considered.

Perhaps surprisingly, the brand that has received the most awards in the history of the Car of the Year is Fiat, with a total of nine models, and that’s not including other Fiat Group brands such as Alfa Romeo or Lancia. Following Fiat, the company with the most success has been Renault, winning six times. The Volkswagen Polo for 2010 marks only the second time that Volkswagen has won the prize. After the jump is the full list of Car of the Year models from 1964 to 2010.

Car of the Year 1964 to 2010

Continue reading: Pics: Car of the Year 1964 to 2010

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Fiat has no new products at its stand at the Bologna motor show, but we had the opportunity to explore all the latest models, including the Fiat 500 by Diesel, the Fiat Bravo 2.0 multijet 165hp, and the Punto Natural Power. Other models present are the Panda 4×4 Glam, the Fiat Punto 1.6 multijet and Pur-02 versions.

On display at the stand is also the Punto from the Fiat Street Art Show and the Fiat sponsored Yamaha from Valentino Rossi.

Continue reading: Fiat at the Bologna motorshow 2008

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