The 75 bhp diesel engine in Punto failed to make that cut with its dull performance notwithstanding its great Italian looks.?So, in a move e aimed at satisfying the requirements of those who want more oomph for their buck, Fiat has taken the Linea?s 90 bhp turbo engine and slotted it in the Punto?s engine bay. This didn?t require rocket science, since the basic engines, platforms and transmissions are exactly the same.
So has this transplant translated into a better performance? ?It is a no-brainer that the Punto being a hatchback derivative of the Linea sedan, is a lighter vehicle (100 kg at least). So what this translates into, is a better power to weight ratio (almost 12bhp-per-tonne more) which not only aids in better acceleration but better fuel economy as well.
But as the driving goes, its no big leap from its earlier avatar ?70 hp?. It is evident?that transplants with minor tweaks don?t always work. It feels a bit gutsier than the 75HP on part-throttle progress.
The difference the 15bhp makes is when you drive flat out. The 90HP gets to 100kph 1.4 seconds faster, and you?ll hit 120kph a huge 3.7sec earlier than the 75HP. However, the in-gear acceleration times are virtually identical, making it hard to notice the power increase in everyday driving. Also, the engine gets quite audible when revved hard.
The Punto 90HP isn?t that much quicker than the 75HP in the city. It is best on the highway where you?ll find the extra power complements the phenomenal ride and handling characteristics of the Punto. As a city car, however, you?re really not going to feel the difference between the two engines. There?s a very marginal drop in the city fuel efficiency figure.
What you are likely to notice is the slicker design in the Punto 90 HP. The typical Italian styling holds its ground very well even though the initiated crowd thinks that this car looks a lot like the Tata Indica. The new variant carries forward all the external design elements that you find on the regular Punto without any modifications.
The only addition to the exterior being the ?90 HP? monogram on the tailgate and the chrome garnish on the door handles. Since most consumers and critics complained about the poor quality of plastics on the dashboard, the new Punto gets a better, smoother, finish on the plastics and the grain size on the texture has been made finer to make them feel upmarket.
With the extra power and the other improvements to the car, what you can look forward to is a more complete Punto but not one that offers significant performance benefits in the city. It now backs up its sublime ride and impressive handling with better highway driving .