Fiat Punto II Chassis

The second-generation Punto has a revised suspension. In the front axle, a McPherson solution is still used, but now the standard is a roll stabilizer. Rear wheels maintain new mechanical system, which is a susceptible beam connecting two longitudinal control arms. Low spring springs are mounted misaligned with strongly forward-leaning shock absorbers. Punto suspension ensures good driving characteristics and high, for the class of the car, comfort. Minor unevenness of the road is damped very effectively, and suspension vibrations do not transfer to the body and do not cause noise in the interior. Deeper transverse fault suspension dampens effectively, but his work is then clearly audible. In the corners, an unloaded car tilts quite significantly, but it does not cause trouble in driving. A loaded vehicle has better stability and less understeer in fast corners. Suspension comfort is also better.
The primary power source of the Punto is a 4-cylinder gasoline engine with a capacity of 1242 cm3, with 8-valve timing system and multi-point fuel injection into the intake manifold. Despite not very much power (44 kW) the power unit performs surprisingly well. It is flexible, operates quietly in the most commonly used speed range and consumes moderate amounts of fuel. Measurements during test drives did not show the effect of car load on fuel consumption in road driving, and in the city the differences were within the limits of the errors of the method used. With a calm and smooth road ride, the result below 6,5 dm3 on 100 km was the rule. The same urban driving style caused wear within the limits 6,7-7,3 dm3/ 100 km. Dynamic driving significantly increased fuel consumption in urban traffic, even up to 9 dm3/100 km, outside the city to 7,5-8,3 dm3/100 km. Average consumption from the entire test, including any attempts, Was 7,2 dm3/100 km, which allows you to recognize Punto 1.2 for a fuel-efficient car. Front suspension is a popular McPherson type system. Here the guide column is supported on an L-shaped swingarm, attached to the auxiliary residual frame. Now a stabilizer is mounted in all versions, in the previous model was in versions with a higher standard of equipment.
The rear suspension is a simple torsion beam with misaligned spring springs and shock absorbers. Two-tube shock absorbers are strongly inclined, so that the wheel wells limit the load compartment as little as possible.
Every Punto user is surprised by the electric power steering. It has two levels of action – standard and urban (City). Standard mode for good handling precision and negligible effort when moving the steering wheel, even when the car is stationary. Turning on the city mode significantly increases the power supporting the work of the steering system and the ability to drive the car "with one finger". Increased assistance performance does not depend on driving speed, which at higher speed can be very dangerous – the steering wheel rotates too slightly. The power steering system should have an automatic city mode switch, when the vehicle is travelling at a speed greater than 30 km / h. In practice, without any detriment to the qualities of the car, you can not use the reinforcement of the force supporting the rotation of the steering wheel.
The effectiveness of the braking system is sufficient for the performance of the car. Using the pedal does not require a lot of force and precise control of the braking system is possible. Brake control progression is good and proportional to pedal force. When ABS is not installed, Gradual, pressing the pedal harder and harder will not cause the wheels to lock. However, they can be blocked by decisive, strong blow to the pedal. The ABS mounted in the Punto has a fairly high sensitivity and stronger braking on the typical, Destroyed, the surface of our roads causes frequent, Unnecessary, system startup.
The second-generation Punto fulfills the tasks of a city car well. It is functional, offers high driving comfort, good cabin soundproofing and performance. Without hindrance, it can be the basic means of transport for a family of four, and used for daily commuting to work will not be a reason for too much depletion of the wallet. The advantage of Punto on the market is a wide range of models differing in equipment and power units. Two engine versions are available 1.2 (44 i 59 kW), 44-kilowatt diesel engine with a capacity of 1910 cm3 and for those who like a sporty experience 130-horsepower engine 1.8.
The simplest version of the Punto equipment includes a driver's airbag, front seat belts with pretensioners, voltage limiters and adjustment of the position of the upper attachment point, third stop light and electronic immobilizer. Depending on the version and engine used, the equipment level is enriched. Tested model 1.2 ElX is additionally equipped with electric power steering as standard, central locking, electrically lowered windscreens, lifted driver's seat, adjustable position of the steering column, bumpers painted in body color, split rear bench seat. The equipment option was a second airbag and ABS system.
The list of optional equipment also includes side airbags, radio sets, Air conditioning, sports body tuning kit, factory auto-alarm, aluminium wheels, electrically opening roof window, etc..