The New Fiat Grande Punto Natural Power

Fiat proudly presents the Fiat Grande Punto Natural Power, a new dual fuel (petrol/methane) version that confirms the brand's commitment to the field of environmental protection. This substantial commitment is reflected by Fiat's indisputable leadership in the field of cars with methane engines as original equipment (OEM): during the period January-August 2008 some 43,000 methane-driven Fiat vehicles were sold in Italy compared with 33,000 during the same period in 2007.

We should not forget that Fiat is the first and only manufacturer to offer, in its "Natural Power" range, a wide array of vehicles with methane-petrol dual fuel systems able to meet the mobility requirement of an extensive category of users: Multipla Natural Power, Punto Natural Power, Panda Panda Natural Power, Panda Panda Climbing Natural Power and Doblò Natural Power. Now comes the turn of the Fiat Grande Punto Natural Power, a new dual fuel car that sets standards of absolute excellence in several areas.

Firstly, a methane-driven Grande Punto proves itself to be a valid financial alternative to cars that run on conventional fuels (diesel and petrol) that are increasingly subject to rising prices. Suffice it to say that in Italy, for example, EUR 12 buys a full tank of natural gas and it costs just EUR 3.8 to cover 100 km.

Another virtue of the new model is its extraordinary range: when running on methane, it is able to cover 310 km with the tank filled to its full capacity of 84 litres. This record-breaking figure is increased by the 45 litre petrol tank capacity: this means that the Fiat Grande Punto Natural Power can be driven for more than 1000 kilometres without refuelling. So once you have a full tank you can drive with peace of mind, and in any case it is increasingly easier to refuel with natural gas because the network of service stations is extensive and continuously expanding (the number of service stations in Italy currently stands at 630).

The new model also offers a 1.4 8v Fire unit that is already compliant with the EURO5 directive and offers low CO2 emissions (just 115 g/km) that allow customers access to the maximum state incentives (EUR 2800 and 3 years of car tax if scrapped). The promotional launch price will start from EUR 12,300, complemented by 6 years of interest-free finance (offer valid to 31 December 2009).

Because Fiat Grande Punto Natural Power marks an important step forward in dual fuel cars technology, we have decided to introduce it at an original event that reflects Fiat Automobiles all-round commitment to the environment. The press presentation has been designed in accordance with the principles of "Impatto Zero®", an innovative project by LifeGate (an eco-cultural platform that is the chosen partner of companies who are serious about sustainable development) that is putting the aims of the Kyoto Protocol into action for the first time in Italy: reducing carbon dioxide emissions and compensating for them by planting new forests.

In detail, Impatto Zero® quantifies the environmental impact of businesses, companies, products and individuals, calculating emissions of carbon dioxide and greenhouses gases and the equivalent amounts in Kg of CO2. It then compensates for the emissions by reforestation and the protection of woodland areas in Italy and throughout the world. Since 2002, more than 450 companies have chosen to sign up to the LifeGate scheme in Italy and they have now been joined by Fiat Automobiles, which has calculated the environmental impact of the Fiat Grande Punto Natural Power launch event and compensated for it by planting 6,668 m2 of forest in the Ticino Natural Park.

Fiat 500 Sportivo from Hamann

Normally Hamann-Motorsport is renowned as a tuning company for BMW and for refining sinfully expensive luxury cars. But sometimes the Laupheim-based technicians move off the beaten tracks and devote themselves to something completely unexpected - in this case the Fiat 500. The Hamann-technicians started with a lot of joy and enthusiasm for the cool little retro sports car and developed the extensive Hamann sportivo-tuning programme. Striking 17-inch rims and a lively flag pattern optically emphasize the racy character of this little Italian. The strong sound of the Hamann-sport exhaust system for the 1,4 litre petrol car also underlines this acoustically. A performance optimization for the diesel model, progressive chassis springs and a newly-developed braking system round out the racy appearance and provide a speedy joyride.

The design wheel HM sportivo I stands for trendy mobile appearance and perfect handling. The matt black varnish rim in one piece has a diamond-polished outer edge and is offered in the size 7.0 x 17. Hamann recommends matching tyres in the sizes 195/40 ZR17 or 215/35 ZR 17 by its technology partner Hankook. A complete wheelset can be obtained from 1,420 €. The Hamann-set for lowering chassis leads to a further improvement in handling the car and ensures that the vehicle centre which is made up from four progressively spun springs is lowered by 30mm.

The sport exhaust system which was especially devised for the 1,4 litre petrol car renders a thrilling sonorous sound. The system includes a muffler (from 390 € onwards) with two round end pipes made of high-grade steel (70 mm diameter), a pre-muffler with metal catalyst and a sport fan manifold. All components can also be obtained individually. Also for this model, Hamann developed a stable sport braking system for improved deceleration values. The set consists of two perforated and ventilated brake discs (diameter 280 x 28mm) at the front axle in connection with red 4-piston fixed yokes and steal flex brake lines. The back axle can be upgraded with brake discs measuring 240 mm in diameter.

The increased performance by Hamann costs 699 € for the 1,3 Multijet 16V Fiat 500 diesel model. After re-programming the integrated control unit, the motor renders up to 90 hp / 66 kW at 4,000 r.p.m. (series: 75 hp / 55 KW) and a maximum torque of 230 Nm at 1,750 r.p.m. (series: 145 Nm at 1,500 rpm).

The aluminium pedal set including footrest and a car mat set with an embroidered Hamann sportive logo accentuate the interior and perfect the Fiat 500 programme in a stylish way.

The new Fiat Bravo 1.6

Designed by the Fiat Style Centre, the Fiat Bravo has a sleek, aggressive line, yet is elegant and compact at the same time. It is 434 cm long, 179 wide and 149 high, with a wheelbase of 260 cm and a load capacity of 400 l, among the best in its class. An embodiment of the great Italian car making tradition, the vehicle's interior is extremely comfortable, the available space has been used to best effect, and the materials and colour schemes exude quality. All in all, the Fiat Bravo is a beautiful Italian car, both inside and out. It will surprise even the most discerning European customer, and has all the substance of a car that offers outstanding safety, reliability and driving pleasure.

An example? The award of the 5 star Euro NCAP rating, the top score in the passive and active safety tests - thanks to the ultra-resistant body shell, 7 airbags, 3-point seatbelts with pre-tensioners and load limiters, and front head rests with anti-whiplash function. Not forgetting that the new model also uses the most sophisticated electronic control systems such as ABS with EBD, advanced ESP with hill holder, and an anti-slip ASR system. The wide range of engines available makes the Fiat Bravo an even more substantial offer: apart from the new series of petrol T-Jets (1.4 engine, 120 or 150 bhp), there is also a lively 1.4 16v (90 bhp) and turbo diesel common rail Multijet (the brand new 105 or 120 bhp 1.6, and the well-known 1.9 version, 120 or 150 bhp).

Not only safe and fun to drive, the Fiat Bravo also carries the latest technology to ensure onboard comfort and wellbeing. For example, the new-generation "Blue&Me" system - "Blue&Me Nav", the dual-zone automatic climate control system, two car radios with specific hi-fi systems, well-sized panoramic sunroof, cruise control, rain sensor, parking aid with front and rear sensors, and fog-lights with self-adapting cornering function.

The Fiat Bravo range is extensive and varied, with the 12 elegant liveries and 4 trim levels (Active, Dynamic, Emotion and Sport). Various solutions are available for different markets, all of them offering great value and designed to reflect the many ways of interpreting and using a car. Last but not least, Fiat Bravos sold in Italy come with a 5-year warranty included in the list price: 2 years' contractual warranty plus 3 years or 120,000 km additional manufacturer's warranty.

Compared to the well-known 1.9 Multijet 120 bhp, the 1.6 Multijet series represents an important step forward, with considerable advantages:

• torque improved by almost 25% (300 Nm at 1500 rpm) and consumption reduced by 8% measured on the NEDC cycle);
• acceleration from 0-100 kph in just 10.5 seconds, while pick-up from 80-120 km/h in 5th gear is almost 4 seconds lower;
• enhanced acoustic comfort with noise values improved by 5%.

What's more, thanks to the new 1.6 Multijet, the Fiat Bravo has notched up some remarkable records in its category:

• it is the first Euro5-compliant car, well ahead of the legal deadline, and has the lowest HCNOx emissions in its category.
• it is one of the few cars in this power segment with a 6-speed manual gearbox (in both the 105 and 120 bhp versions);
• it has the highest specific torque (i.e. in relation to the displacement), in the power categories up to 200 bhp;
• maximum torque is delivered at lowest revs: just 1500 rpm for an availability of 290 Nm and 300 Nm generated respectively by the 105 bhp and 120 bhp versions;
• this is borne out by the acceleration values, the best among all engines up to 120 bhp;
• it is the only car with 35,000 km service intervals, reducing ordinary maintenance costs by 25% (calculated on distances travelled of 90,000 or 100,000 km, the most frequently used distances in long-term leasing agreements).