Refreshed Fiat Punto may drive into India next year

Fiat has commenced testing a new Punto in Brazil with cosmetic changes. The refreshed Punto may hit Indian market in 2013 because there has been no major facelift since its launch in the Indian market. 

The test mule spotted in Brazil had a camouflaged front section covering the bonnet, headlamp cluster and front bumper. At the rear, the camouflage covered the tailgate, taillamp cluster and bumper. There are speculations that the Punto facelift may get design cues from the Punto Evo model. Also see our Fiat Punto car Research Hub

The test mule spotted in Brazil had a camouflaged front section covering the bonnet, headlamp cluster and front bumper. At the rear, the camouflage covered the tailgate, taillamp cluster and bumper. There are speculations that the Punto facelift may get design cues from the Punto Evo model. Also see: Fiat Punto Sport launched

When compared with the present model, the test mule had large wheels with sporty alloys, chrome-tipped twin rear exhausts and LED lights on the taillamp. But some of these changes may be market specific and hence the India-bound Punto facelift (if launched) may not get them. Also read: New Fiat Punto Video Review

Though the overall shape of the test mule is very close to the current model, we have to wait and see if Fiat has improved the interior space and comfort in the facelifted version.

Back in India, Fiat is keen on setting up its own dealership and service centres. As a first step, the company has opened Fiat Caffe in Mumbai, Delhi and Hyderabad. The company has set a target to open 20 dealerships by end of this year.

While parting away with its partner (Tata) and opening exclusive dealership network is one strategy to improve sales, the other lies in upgrading products and introducing new models. The Fiat Punto facelift and Linea facelift which is expected to hit foreign markets before this year ends, will also be launched in India.

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