New Models - Fiat Punto

Punto loses pedal

Logical: Automated manual trans mates to Punto 1.4 petrol and 1.3 diesel.

• What is green?

Fiat shows its clutchless Punto in Melbourne, confirms Abarth and Bravo for Sydney

8 March 2007

By TERRY MARTIN

FIAT’S Melbourne International Motor Show stand is bolstered by a new Selespeed-style robotised manual gearbox option for base 1.4-litre petrol and entry-level 1.3-litre turbo-diesel versions of its Punto light car.

Dubbed DuaLogic and on sale now, it adds $1500 to the price, meaning that the Dynamic 1.4 DuaLogic starts from $21,490 and the Dynamic 1.3 JTD DuaLogic from $24,490. The larger-engined 1.9-litre JTD diesel models stick with their six-speed manual transmissions for now.

Meanwhile, the upcoming Punto Abarth hot-hatch, unveiled at this week's Geneva motor show next brandishing a 110kW/205Nm 1.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine, is set to debut at the Australian International Motor Show in Sydney in October.

Also at Sydney will be Fiat’s new Golf-sized five-door hatchback known as the Bravo abroad (but to receive a new name for Australia).

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