Spied - IAB reader spies the 2014 Fiat Punto facelift

Indian Autos Blog reader, Mr. Aniket Apte, has sent us these close-up images of the 2014 Fiat Punto facelift. The hatchback was caught testing in Ranjangaon where Fiat India has its manufacturing base.

This will be the first major makeover for the Punto in India, which is finding it difficult to lure buyers given the intense rivalry, and an under-construction dealer network. While Fiat India sold an average of 708 Puntos per month in the last six months of 2013, Hyundai sold an average of 5,163 units of the i20 while Maruti averaged 15,500 Swifts in the same period.

The refreshed Punto will retain a front fascia similar to the current model. The front bumper will be replaced with a newer design featuring new foglights while the headlight clusters will be darkened for a sportier look. At the rear, the taillights will receive new lenses (similar to the Avventura) while the reflectors on the bumper will be repositioned.

Inside the facelifted Punto, a new center console (similar to the refreshed Linea) and a redesigned instrument cluster are the only talking points.

Currently, the Punto is offered with 1.2- and 1.4-liter petrol engines, and a 1.3-liter diesel available in two states of power tunes, that can continue on the refresh.