Released in 1999 to celebrate Fiat’s 100th birthday, the 2nd gen. Punto stands out for its new blue and rounded logo (the previous generation has four oblique lines instead of it) and its sharper overall aesthetics. Measuring around (there are small differences for some variants) 3,85 x 1,66 meters, the Punto remains quite light (from 850 to 1100 kilos depending on the equipment) and perfect for citizen use. This vehicle is available both as a 3-door and as a 5-door. The new “Fiat B” chassis, from which the contemporary Fiat Idea, Lancia Ypsilon, and Lancia Musa also derive, proves to be relatively safe at the Euro NCAP crash test by scoring four stars out of five, which is an impressive result for a city car. Despite having a small trunk, the Punto is enjoyable for up to four passengers, but most of the interior is made of basic rigid plastic and the standard equipment is poor. Before a facelift had arrived in 2003, the Punto MK2 was sold in these engine options: 1.2 petrol 60HP, 1.9 diesel 60HP, 1.2 petrol 80HP, 1.9 diesel 80HP (later upgraded up to 85HP), and the special 1.8 petrol HGT 130HP, from which they also created the sportive “Punto Abarth”. After the (pictured) mid-life restyling, the diesel versions were discontinued and a 1.4 petrol 95HP and 2 Multijet (1.4 70HP and 1.9 100HP) engines arrived. Also, in this facelift, the ABS finally comes as standard. The Punto MK2 was also produced in a “Natural Power” edition, in which the standard 60HP petrol engine is combined with a methane one. Two years later, the Punto received a substantial upgrade with the advent of its 3rd gen., also called “Grande Punto”.


_________________________________________
📷 @the.yellow.punto
_________________________________________
🏎️ Fiat Punto II facelift 2003 (188FL)
📍 Italy
🛠️ 1.2 60HP
💨 14,3 seconds
🔝 155km/h
💶 No longer on sale
_________________________________________
Our vote: ⭐⭐⭐ (3/5)