[3] Internally codenamed Project 176, the Punto was announced in September 1993, as a replacement for the aging Fiat Uno, and launched at the end of 1993 or the beginning of 1994, depending on the market.

The Fiat Punto was voted European Car of the Year for 1995,[6] defeating rival Volkswagen Polo by only 78 points.

[10] As the majority of the new Fiat group models, the suspension was all independent, composed of MacPherson struts at the front and trailing arms at the rear.

The top of the range model was the 136 PS (100 kW) 1.4 GT, using an evolution of the turbocharged 128 SOHC engine originally found in the Fiat Uno Turbo Mk II, capable of running over 200 km/h (120 mph) and reaching 100 km/h (62 mph) in 7.9 seconds,[11] and came fitted with a five speed manual gearbox.

[12] A cabriolet (convertible) version was also available; built by Bertone (rather than at the main Fiat factory), it featured an electric-powered fully retracting roof and was one of the cheapest open-top cars in the world at the time.

[13] The second generation Punto codenamed Project 188, was launched in September 1999 at the Frankfurt Motor Show.

The styling was all-new while retaining the original Punto's distinctive shape and design, while the chassis and interior were completely overhauled, with a new torsion beam rear suspension.

[18][19] The 1.1 and 1.4 engines were discontinued due to emissions issues and the entry-level models had only a 1.2 petrol unit, with either 8 or 16 valves, giving 60 hp (45 kW) and 80 hp (60 kW) respectively, or a 1.9L diesel, with common rail injection and turbocharger or naturally aspired with mechanical injection.

The round Fiat badge, found only on the bonnet of second-generation models, was introduced on the tailgate of the second generation facelift.

[27] The Punto was initially released in four different trim levels: S, SX, ELX and HLX,[28] that were later renamed to Actual, Active, Dynamic and Emotion.

The top-level included such features as ABS, front and side airbags, window bags, remote central locking, front power windows, electrical power steering, air conditioning, a trip computer with four functions, CD player, CD changer, alloy rims and fog lamps.

[20] After the facelift, it also received EBD, ESP with ASR and hill holder, climate control with double zone heating, heated seats,[29] MP3 player and subwoofer (HGT only), rear parking sensors and cruise control as an option.

[20] The Grande Punto, codenamed Project 199, was unveiled at the 2005 Frankfurt Motor Show and went on sale later on that year.

Again styled by Giugiaro,[37] the car is based on the Fiat Small platform developed in joint venture with Opel-General Motors.

[36] Whilst the model shares some of its name with the previous Punto, a large number of its components are new, including a new chassis and body shell.

The car's nose, headlights and front grille look reminiscent of the Maserati Coupé (both were designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro of ItalDesign).In Australia, Fiat introduced the Grande Punto in July 2006, sold only as the Punto; it was the first Fiat to be sold in Australia since 1989.

The Italian made Grande Punto was launched in Chile and the Dominican Republic in petrol and diesel versions.

[43] The Grande Punto was launched in India during the Delhi Auto Expo in January 2008, with sales starting in June 2009.

It is built on an extended version of the Grande Punto's chassis, with a total length of 4,560 mm (179.5 in), making it part of the superior small family car segment.

It scored 0% for safety assist features, with the organisation noting that an unplugged-seatbelt warning was only standard equipment for the driver's seat.

[45] One of the given reasons for this is the fact that the third generation Punto was launched in 2005, making the car a twelve year old model, whose safety standards were never actually updated.

A new Esseesse version was released in 2011, which was an optional upgrade that improved performance, with a 0–100 km/h (62 mph) time of 7.3 seconds.

[citation needed] In October 2014, Top Gear Magazine placed the Punto Pop 1.2 liter 8v 69 on its list of The Worst Cars You Can Buy Right Now, describing the car as "An outclassed elderly supermini that kicks out 126 g/km yet takes 14.4 secs to wheeze to 62 mph, and it costs more than £10k.

In June 2016, Fiat introduced the new Techno Pack with the 5-inch touchscreen infotainment system and cruise control.

[56] This car also sports an SUV like ground clearance of 185mm for diesel and 195mm for petrol to suit Indian roads.

The Avventura was aimed at the market inhabited by the likes of Toyota Etios Cross, Volkswagen CrossPolo and Ford EcoSport.

Source: FiatAutoPress.com The Punto has always been popular with amateur racing drivers due to its low cost and the wide availability of spare parts.

Also, a turbodiesel front wheel drive rally car has been produced, the Fiat Grande Punto R3D.