True to its commitment of offering customers top class automobiles, Fiat today announced the launch of their two new Grande Punto variants: Fiat 1.2 FIRE Dynamic and Fiat 1.2 FIRE Emotion in the heart of the premium petrol hatchback segment. With the launch of these variants Fiat can now woo the Indian consumer with an irresistible offer  - an array of features present in the new variants and the bold pricing of these cars.

Grande Punto, Fiat’s best selling large hatch offers incredible standard high end features like Tilt Steering, Front Power windows, Fire Prevention System, and Programmed Service Reminder in its entry level 1.2 Activevariant. Apart from these, the 1.2 Dynamic variant will also offer rear power windows and central locking system. As a special introductory offer, the 1.2 Dynamic will also come fitted with an exclusive CD/MP3 player, for limited period of one month.

Meanwhile, the 1.2 Emotion variant will go beyond the Dynamic to come with an integrated audio system with 4 speakers, electric mirrors, fog lamps, dual tone dashboard and split seats amongst a host of other impressive features. With a majority of the B plus segment consumers in India being value conscious, the 1.2 FIRE Grande Punto Dynamic, priced at Rs. 4.57 lakhs and the 1.2 FIRE Grande Punto Emotion, priced at Rs. 4.87 lakhs (ex-showroom Delhi) offer the ‘real’ and ‘complete’ deal. The Grande Punto 1.2 FIRE, with BSIV compliance also boasts of an improved fuel efficiency of 15.2 kmpl. With no other auto major offering such top end features at such nominal pricing, Fiat’s new variants pack a powerful punch. The widest range of 9 variants in the Grande Punto is a true testament to Fiat’s continual focus of giving the customers exactly what they desire.

In India, the Grande Punto is positioned within the same auto segment as the Hyundai i20, Honda Jazz and the VW Polo.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Rajeev Kapoor, President & CEO, Fiat India Automobiles Ltd, said,” The Premium Hatchback segment has seen a lot of activity and witnessed a strong growth of 59% in 2009. Our new variants are a response to our customer’s requirement of feature laden cars at reasonable prices. These impressive variants also give us a great opportunity to expand our presence in the B plus market segment which is one of the most important ones in India. With these launches, we are confident of providing to the consumer yet another memorable automotive experience like no other, courtesy Fiat.”

The 1.2 FIRE Grande Punto Dynamic and 1.2 FIRE Emotion promise the consumer of supreme comfort with the car being one of the largest in the hatch back segment. Its significantly robust build and impressive low end torque will provide a customer with one of the safest and most comfortable drives available today. In addition to this, the new variants also have a 2 year unlimited kilometres warranty and a 15,000 kilometres service interval which is the longest service interval available in the segment and results in much lower cost of ownership. Consumers will have the option of choosing from 8 electrifying colours: Bossa Nova White, Exotica Red, Minimal Grey, Hip Hop Black, Medium Grey, Electric Blue and 2 new Premium Colours: Fox Trot Azure and Tuscan Wine.

The variants will be priced at:

The Fiat Grande Punto, since its launch last year, has taken the market by storm with its beautiful designing and impressive styling. With its design being attributed to Mr. Giorgetto Giugiaro – the ‘car designer of the century’, the car has won numerous accolades in the Indian, the latest being

• Car of the Year Award 2009 for Premium Hatchback - the ET Zigwheels.
• Car with the Best Styling & Design by UTV Autocar Awards - 2010.
• The Most Beautiful Car of the year by BBC TopGear -2009

The car’s sleek and aggressive looks have made many a head turn and many a jaw drop. With both critics and buyers taking dearly to this vehicle, the Grande Punto has already made a significant mark in the Indian auto scenario since its launch. The new variants along with the existing Fiat models are available through 101 TATA-FIAT dealers across 78 cities and can be booked from 15^th March 2010 onwards.

With superb features and such a bold pricing, the Fiat Grande Punto 1.2 FIRE Dynamic and Emotion are yet another significant mark by Fiat on the Indian auto scenario.

Ready, Set, Vrooom! With that motto in mind, Fiat India flagged off a drive of epic proportions called ‘Fiat Diesel Drives India’ today. ‘Fiat Diesel Drives India’ will be taking Fiat’s 4 multijet diesel offerings- the Linea, Grande Punto, Palio and Fiat 500 through testing Indian terrains over a period of a month and a half. This one-of-a-kind journey will traverse through diverse terrains within 16 states in India, clocking over 10,000 kilometers in total. The drive has been aimed at generating awareness about Fiat’s rich history in connection with diesel technology as well as their longstanding success in rolling out endurance driven, yet stylish and classy automobiles.

The drive will involve auto journalists from India’s top auto magazines, namely, Zigwheels, Car India, Overdrive, Auto India, BS Motoring, Autocar India, AutoBild, Top Gear, Auto Exchange, Automotive Product Finder and a special team of auto experts. In addition to this, the drive will also involve electronic channels like ET Now, NDTV 24X7, CNBC TV 18, NDTV India, Zee Business, UTVi, Aaj Tak, IBN7, Times Now, online portals such as Carwale.com, teambhp.com and publications such as New Indian Express. Through the course of the drive, these esteemed experts will take Fiat’s diesel engines to the extreme by taking the 4 cars through a stern test of power, performance and engine finesse. With this drive, Fiat, the inventor and pioneer of the high tech Multijet diesel engines, aims to stamp its authority on the diesel scenario in India as well as create further awareness about their engine’s presence in majority of the cars in India.

Speaking at the flag off, Mr. Rajeev Kapoor, President & CEO, FIAL, said, “Fiat’s diesel inventions and technology constitute a landmark position in global automobile history. Our state of the art 1.3 multijet engines have revolutionized the diesel movement and achieved unparalleled success abroad. The engines have always performed admirably and with excellent finesse in all kinds of diverse climates and terrains across the world. Fiat’s success story in India has also been somewhat similar. In India, though the dynamic climate and unpredictable terrains in particular has been a challenging test for our engines, we have overcome the test with flying colors. The ‘Fiat Diesel Drives India’ drive is Fiat’s way of showing that our engines have passed the Great Indian test and are at the highest level of competency and reliability as technology today can provide.”

Through the extensive drive, Fiat will also look to reinforce the presence of their strong and ever growing network across India. Today, the Tata-Fiat network constitutes 99 dealerships and 6 point of sales spanning across 77 cities in the country. All these dealerships have a separate identity for Fiat and offer an international ownership experience for customers.

‘Fiat Diesel Drives India’ promises to be an exhilarating and novel drive that experiences India and all its cultural flavours