2008 Fiat Grande Punto 1.2i ACTUAL Full Review,Start Up, Engine, and In Depth Tour

Filmed by: Tomaž Kožar Jesenice

GM Global Product Maven Maximum Bob Lutz claims that satisfying new U.S. federal fuel economy regulations will cost the consumer an additional $6k per car, on average. That seems a bit of a strange statement, as there are already plenty of cars capable of besting the freshly-minted mandate. From Japan to Jerusalem, from Mumbai to Milan, the world is filled, and filling, with suitably fuel efficient passenger cars. The real question is whether or not America is ready-- make that "willing"-- to buy the same sort of frugal machines that the rest of the world has been driving for years. Take the Fiat Grande Punto. Please.

Despite the word "Grande," the Punto is 158 inches long-- a little longer than the ten foot pole with which most American Camry drivers wouldn't touch an Italian car. Thanks to oversized details like swept back headlights and chunky door handles, the Punto doesn't look especially small. The gorgeous front end evokes the, gulp, Maserati Coupe GT. The sides are sporty without the usual cheese wedge demeanor. The back end is wonderfully chunky and perfectly tidy.

In short, literally, after the MINI Cooper, the Punto is proof positive that manufacturers needn't beat small, inexpensive cars with the fugly stick (I'm almost looking at you, Toyota Yaris).

The Grande Punto's interior is its weakest link: a totally unremarkable design with materials appropriate for an American car that cost about $13k. Mercifully, Fiat has blessed the car's rock hard plastics with a pleasant matte finish. And the panels line-up with such precision you'd think the Italians drafted in some anal-retentive Swiss or Germans workers to screw the Punto's interior together. (It's the robots, stupid.) While bland, the cabin creates the impression that the Punto is well-assembled-- a notion that no Italian car should be without.

Despite the Punto's largely urban remit, the seats are built for the long haul. And you can forget the Italian astronaut driving position (if you like); the helmsman's throne has manual adjustments out the wazoo. Space is also well managed; there's plenty of room in the back for two adults or three Gumbys. Drop the second row, and the hatchback accommodates all your Euro-commodities.

The driving experience reveals the Fiat Grande Punto as a mini (no caps) masterpiece. We begin with the fizzy, crackling engine. Don't let its 77 horsepower output fool you. Scientists from the Research Institute of Research have released a study that proves it is impossible to drive the Grande Punto without a shit-eating grin. Wind it all the way up, dump the clutch, wind it up again, and continue. For an engine with about half the displacement of a pair of galoshes, it sounds magnificent. Two valves per cylinder? Who gives a damn when it sounds like you've got a micro Ferrari.The optional Duodrive semi-automatic transmission is like the one bar in Times Square that's worth visiting. It's a computer controlled five-speed manual transmission (like the high-performance transmissions in Maseratis, Ferraris, and Lamborghinis) with a clutch under the hood. Leave it in pure automatic mode and the computer will do everything for you. Or drive it in sequential mode and you may as well be driving a stick-- without the clutch pedal.

The upshot to this system: it's absolutely the closest any automatic transmission can come to feeling like you're driving a manual. Gear changes are nearly instant. Volkswagen's DSG is faster and smoother, but the Fiat feels every bit like the real deal. You'll roll backwards on hills, neutral has a real use, and you can even feel light vibrations when accelerating from a standstill. The average American would no doubt bitch about an automatic with feedback, but Europeans have different tastes.

Again, the Fiat Grande Punto was designed for European cities. To wit: its over-light electronic speed sensitive steering. At velocities below 30mph, it's like a videogame-- which makes the Punto a breeze to drive around the average continental avenue's absurd 135 degree turns. When you get up to speed, the steering tightens-up to give sporting drivers some of the weight they need for speed.

[rageavictor]

fiat grande punto is quite a nice car and im thinking to buy one after i pass my practical test. Seems like a good starter car if you dont want to go for the corsa or polo or any other generic car that everyone already has

[elektrodriver]

Herzlichen Glückwunsch zum neuen Auto lieber Basti und lieber Jasmin! Immer gute Fahrt wünsche ich euch!

[roirahimy]

This superb vehicle is highly recommended, I have the car from 2008 until he invests a lot of money per year. But it's worth!

[christianplummer]

Hopefully going to be buying this as my first car, do you think this is suitable and good for a first car ?

[muna]

I have it but am facing problem with gear every winter and fiat dealer cant fix the problem...I paid alot of money 4 thier guesing in maintance

[exionem]

Does the car radio come with aux USB input ?

[escolamegamusic]

....melhor carro em designer na categoria.

[justkiddin]

song..nothing but the girl - miss you

[airforcesuk]

Wish there was a 1.4 model, I love my Punto Grande, but its a dog on a hill climb, had the older punto 1.2 16v ran better but didn't have the looks.

[Benjamin_]

This car and fiesta are almost the same

[lewisgill]

How do you do? Spectacular Work. rambunctious cheese What's your opinion about !

[celalettingokyigit]

Yeni Clio Touch 1.5 dCi 90 bg Stop & Start 2013 kredili fiatı 42bin tl .... benim aldığım fiat punto 75lik en boş modeli bagaj lambası bile olmayan 4 sefer arızaları için servis yüzü gören ve boyadan yana hatalı olan punto aracım kredili 2013ü 3 günle kaçırıp 2012 ruhsata işli aracımın fiatı 38500tl trafik ve kasko hariç fiatla mücadelem var özellikle banotoyla tanıdıklarım tanıdıklarıyla paylaşsın hem bana destek olun maduriyetimi gidersinler hemde başkaları zarara uğramasın herkesler paylaşsın

[AutoWorldTube]

4.01 wtf, recycled clothes carpet WTF

[jimminez]

ACTUAL Full Review click bate of the year..

[КрышаЭтойВысотки]

U r talking too much please be silent next time