Performance Review: Fiat Punto 1.4 GT - [1994]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Fiat Punto Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Fiat Punto 1.4 GT is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1994. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1995 McLaren F1 LM 6.1 V12 and the 1995 Ford GT 90 6.0L V12.This particular Fiat Punto has a 1372cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 4 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St4's includes the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo

The Punto shares its Petrol St4 engine configuration with the likes of the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo and the 2013 Caterham 7 620 R 2.0 L Supercharged. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Punto's Front Wheel Drive, Hatchback combination then how about the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Golf R Performance 2.0 Turbo or the 2020 Toyota Avalon TRD 3.5 V6.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1000 kgs (2204 lbs) this makes the Fiat Punto 1.4 GT in the same weight category as the 2014 Abarth 695 Biposto 1.4 Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Fiat Punto shares the same bhp with the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (134 bhp)

In terms of power the 1372cc 8V St4 engine produces 136 bhp (101 kW) @ 5750 rpm similar to the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (134 bhp) or the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (148 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated St4 throws out 113 lb-ft (153.2 Nm) @ 3000 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2012 Mini Cooper Paceman (118 lb-ft) or the 2012 Lexus CT 200h 1.8L (105 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Fiat Punto you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2014 Audi A7 3.0 TDI Sportback Competition Quattro (161.0 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Fiat Punto.

The Fiat Punto has a Power to weight ratio of 136.0 bhp per ton and 113.0 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1994 Punto competing with the 2014 Audi A7 3.0 TDI Sportback Competition Quattro (161.0 bhp per ton) or the 1987 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 V8 (161.0 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Fiat Punto generating around 113.0 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2006 Volvo C70 2.5 T5 Coupe Convertible Sport (137.9 lb-ft per ton) or the 1996 BMW 5 Series 530i Saloon E39 (137.6 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 7.60 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 7.9 secs, this made the Fiat Punto 1.4 GT as fast as the 2013 BMW i3 0.6l Hybrid (7.60 secs) the 2011 Fiat Punto Evo Abarth 1.4 Turbo (7.60 secs) the 2011 Abarth 500C 1.4 Turbo (7.60 secs) the or the 2010 Peugeot 308 1.6 GTi (7.60 secs). This Fiat Punto 1.4 GT is also faster than the 2010 Citroen DS4 200 1.6 Turbo (7.70 secs) the 2006 Volkswagen-VW Polo 1.8T GTi (7.70 secs) the 2005 Mitsubishi Colt CZT 1.5 Turbo (7.70 secs) the and the 2005 Audi Q7 4.2 V8 (7.70 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Punto and the 1993 Audi Coupe S2 2.2T Quattro

When talking about the performance of the Fiat Punto on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 15.72 secs @ 87.0 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1993 Audi Coupe S2 2.2T Quattro (15.65 secs), the 2002 Ford Focus RS (15.65 secs), and the 1971 Maserati Indy 4.7 V8 (15.65 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1994 version of the Fiat Punto 1.4 GT has a maximum speed of 123mph.

Top Speed of the 1994 Punto equals the 2012 Peugeot 208 1.6 THP (134 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1994 Fiat Punto 1.4 GT then how about the 2012 Peugeot 208 1.6 THP (134 mph), the 2009 Peugeot RCZ 2.0 HDi 200 GT (134 mph), or the 2008 Alfa-Romeo Mito 1.4 155 T-Jet Veloce (134 mph).

Related Links:

1994 Punto Rivals List.

A Brief History of Fiat

Car Comparison