Fiat Punto Sport T-Jet released in Australia
January 8, 2008 by Karl Peskett
This week sees the arrival of Fiat’s new turbo terror, the Punto Sport T-Jet. The T-Jet specification signifies a turbocharged 1.4-litre petrol motor which lifts the power, from 57kW in standard trim, to 90kW. Torque has also been boosted from 115Nm to 206Nm – a fairly sizeable increase in both figures.
The fastest version of the Punto sprints from 0-100km/h in 8.9 seconds, but returns a fuel consumption average of just 6.6 litres per 100km. As the engine’s capacity hasn’t been increased, the Punto Sport T-Jet benefits from a low kerb weight. Suspension has been upgraded to suit the sporty image too.
From the outside, you’ll identify the Sport T-jet by its 17-inch alloy wheels, colour matched spoilers and side skirts, and a chrome finish on its exhaust pipe. Inside there are sports seats trimmed with sports upholstery, a new instrument panel, and leather trimmed sports steering wheel and gear knob. Equipment includes power steering, electric windows and mirrors, cruise control, air conditioning and remote central locking with remote boot release.
“The new Fiat 1.4 litre T-Jet really is the engine of the future,” says David Stone, General Manager for Fiat cars in Australia. “Normally a performance car needs a significantly larger engine to gain a high performance output. Punto Turbo Sport, the already highly efficient 1.4 gains a turbocharger to produce power and torque levels the equivalent of a 2.0 litre engine. As a result, the Punto Turbo Sport is not only one of the quickest sub-$30,000 hot hatches, it is also one of the most economical.”
The new Fiat Punto Sport T-Jet has a recommended retail price of $25,990 and deliveries will start at the end of this week.
Print it: 
The Punto isnt anywhere as good as a polo GTI or Fiat 500 for this price.
Havnt seen this model up close but the 2006 Punto interior was substandard.
Fiat you have to try harder to win the Aussie market.
90kw does’nt sound like alot but its more than the normal range!
But its also $2000 cheaper than the 1.9JTD Emotion and Sport.
I think the Ritmo’s 1.4t will have more power (110kw?).
I loved the early Fiats – the 500, 850, 1100, 1100D Riviera, 1300, 1500, 124, 125, 128 but after that the product became rubbish, and vanished from our shores.
Just can’t get back “into” them again, except for the new 500, which might find a home as my next runabout.
0 to 100 in 8.9sec = not fast at all
Not fast but turbo diesels are all about ready access to torque and Fiat have just upped the fun factor for the 1.4 – nothing wrong with that!
Price though is another matter for the Punto which has always been pitched too high in my view.
Grant Says:
January 8th, 2008 at 3:44 pm
“0 to 100 in 8.9sec = not fast at all”
It’s better than most cars in that price range, and you get the benefit of ultra low fuel consumption. Its something different and interesting, which is a lot more than you can say for the Corolla.
I love the Punto. Polo vs Punto? No question, the Punto every time for a car that people can’t help look at on the roads. This car does everything and more. Don’t forget this is not a WRX, and is much cheaper to run.