Fiat looks pretty and talks tough

By Alastair Sloane

These are the first official factory pictures to be published in New Zealand of the new Fiat Punto, launched in Italy last week.

The new-look styling with the sweeping rear quarter and high rear lights shows up more in the three-door than the five-door.

The importer, Azzurra Motor Group, hopes to have examples of both models in New Zealand before Christmas, although the Punto is not expected to go on sale here until January/February.

Azzurra are this week talking to the factory in Turin about the price of the car, which comes with airbags, anti-lock brakes and air-conditioning .

Fiat is mindful of French carmaker Renault's aggressive marketing of the Clio, which runs from $21,995 through to $25,990 and also includes air-conditioning, anti-lock brakes and airbags.

The new Peugeot 206 is expected to compete in price and equipment with the Clio. So, too, is Toyota's new Yaris, another good-looker and next year's replacement for the Starlet.

Fiat will want the Punto, which it claims is the class leader for interior room and quietness, to be priced similarly. It expects to have the New Zealand price by the end of August.