Fiat Punto Adventure caught testing in Pune

Gorgeous styling, the popular 'Multijet' diesel engine and all the initial hype and hoopla not withstanding, the Fiat Punto could hardly make an impact in the Indian market. In a country obsessed with hatchbacks, Punto's sales figures continue to disappoint month after month. But, Fiat isn't ready to let the Punto go anytime soon. As part of its strategic plans for the Indian market, the Italian company was said to be working on a Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) that measured less than 4 meters in length. Then came reports that this model would be a pseudo-SUV based on the Punto.

Thanks to our reader Punit Sharma, we now have proof that Fiat is indeed working on a pseudo-SUV for India based on the Punto. Caught testing in the outskirts of Pune where Fiat's factory is located, this Punto was partially camouflaged at the rear. The front and the sides are left uncamouflaged, making us believe that this new variant will have no or minimal changes in those areas. Changes seem to be aplenty in the rear though, with the most significant being the presence of spare tire in the tailgate. An all-new bumper with a swing-arm to accommodate the tire is also expected to be a part of the list of changes. As evident from the taillights that are similar to the current Punto, the eagerly-awaited 'Evo' facelift seems to have evaded India yet again.

Responding to an emerging fad in the Indian market for pseudo-SUVs that saw the launch of models like Skoda Fabia Scout and Volkswagen Polo Cross, this macho-looking hatchback is likely to be christened "Punto Adventure". Unlike the Adventure Station Wagon of the past that came with a host of rugged goodies to differentiate itself from the regular Siena Weekend, the Punto Adventure seems to be having nary a change elsewhere. The interiors, feature list and the engine and transmission options are expected to be carried over from the top-of-the-line variant of the existing Punto itself while the dimensions might change a bit depending on the positioning and orientation of the spare tire and the plastic cladding, if any.

Though the craze for Sport Utility Vehicles in India is at an all-time high, the Indian customers are intelligent enough to identify what's actually an SUV and what's not. In that pretext, is the addition of a spare tire mounted on a swing-arm in the rear bumper alone a compelling enough reason for Punto's fortunes to change? We do not think so but would be glad to accept if the market says so. By the way, can somebody from Fiat tell us where's the Punto Evo?