Fiat Punto, Avventura to get powerful 1.4L T-JET engine - Report

Upon launch, they'll be the most powerful cars in their segment.

According to a report on Autocar India, Fiat will launch the Punto Evo and the Avventura with a 1.4-liter T-JET turbocharged petrol engine in the first half of this year. Currently, Fiat sells only the Linea sedan with this engine option.

The Punto platform as such weighs a bit more than comparable rivals, and the 1.2-liter and 1.4-liter Fiat petrol engines are outclassed by competitors when it comes to power-to-weight or even fuel efficiency. Fiat hopes to address this with the T-JET engine, which on the Linea is capable of 114 PS (112.3 bhp) at 5,000 rpm and 207 Nm of torque at 2,200 rpm. It will be mated to a 5-speed manual transmission.

Currently, the only other hatchbacks (non-luxury) to feature a turbocharged petrol engine are the VW Polo GT TSI and the recently launched Tata Bolt. The T-JET engine though makes more power than the 105 PS VW and the 90 PS Tata.

Also see: Fiat 500 Plus (Punto successor) rendering

At least on paper, the Punto Evo 1.4 T-JET and the Avventura 1.4 T-JET will be the most powerful hatchback and crossover in the sub-10 lakh segment. When launched, they are expected to cost about INR 80,000 more than the 1.4-liter naturally aspirated variant of the Punto and Avventura.

Launch date: By H1 2015

[Source - Autocar India]