1994 Fiat Punto 1.4 GT Review and Performance Comparison

Fiat Punto Performance Review.

Introduction:

The 1994 Fiat Punto 1.4 GT is a powered by a Petrol Straight 4. This variant of the Fiat Punto 1.4 GT is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out around 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 driven by the Fiat Front Wheel Drive system.

Alternative Petrol Straight 4's include the 1985 Alfa-Romeo Spider Veloce

The Punto shares its Petrol Straight 4 engine configuration with the likes of the 1985 Alfa-Romeo Spider Veloce and the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo.If you're looking for other similar performing 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 earlier 2020 Toyota Avalon TRD 3.5 V6.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1000 kgs (2204 lbs) places the Fiat Punto 1.4 GT in a similar weight category as the 2021 McMurtry Speirling Goodwood and the excellent 2014 Abarth 695 Biposto 1.4 Turbo, 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 pure power the 1372cc 8 valve, Straight 4 engine produces around 136 bhp (101 kW) @ 5750 rpm which is comparable to the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (134 bhp) and also the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (148 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated Straight 4 throws out 113 lb-ft (153.2 Nm) @ 3000 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2020 Toyota Yaris GR RS (107 lb-ft) or the 2012 Mini Cooper Paceman (118 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If you look at both power or torque of the 1994 Fiat Punto in comparison with its weight you get a much more accurate idea of its real world performance.

The 1987 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 V8 (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. Bhp per ton figures of the 1994 Punto 1.4 GT means you're competing with the 1987 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 V8 (161.0 bhp per ton) and the equally quick 2014 Audi A7 3.0 TDI Sportback Competition Quattro (161.0 bhp per ton).

Torque to Weight:

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance is Torque!. However, torque isn't the whole story, you also need to compare weight as well for more real world comparisons such as torque per ton.

The Fiat Punto 1.4 GT generates around 113.0 lb-ft per ton. So if you're looking at what cars perform similarly either on the drag strip or at the traffic lights using torque to weight as a benchmark, then look no further than the 2006 Volvo C70 2.5 T5 Coupe Convertible Sport (137.9 lb-ft per ton) or the similarly performing 1996 BMW 5 Series 530i Saloon E39 (137.6 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

The Fiat Punto 1.4 GT can accelerate 0–60mph in 7.60 secs or 0–100km/h (0–62mph) in 7.9 secs. Acceleration rivals to the Fiat Punto 1.4 GT include the 2013 BMW i3 0.6l Hybrid (7.60 secs) or the equally as fast to 60mph 2011 Fiat Punto Evo Abarth 1.4 Turbo (7.60 secs).

The Straight 4 engine of the Fiat Punto 1.4 GT ensures that, ‘on paper’ at least, accelerates slightly faster than the 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser 300 GR Sport (7.70 secs) and the 2010 Citroen DS4 200 1.6 Turbo (7.70 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Fiat Punto 1.4 GT and the Aston-Martin Lagonda Series 3 5.3L V8

On a longer format for acceleration comparisons the 1994 Fiat Punto can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 15.65 secs with a trap speed around 87.0 mph. Similar performances down the quarter mile drag strip can be found with the the Aston-Martin Lagonda Series 3 5.3L V8 (15.66 seconds @ 87.0 mph) and a close race between the Alfa-Romeo 33 1.7 Boxer Cloverleaf (15.66 seconds @ 87.0 mph) too.

Top Speed:

Some modern performance cars are often artificially restricted particularly when it comes to max speed. 155 mph top speed restrictions are often used as part of the German 'Gentleman's Agreement' for example, so be cautious when using maximum speed figures. The 1994 version of the Fiat Punto 1.4 GT has a maximum speed of 123mph.

Top Speed of the 1994 Punto equals the Cadillac Eldorado 7.0l V8 Hardtop Coupe (122 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what has a similar top end performance to the 1994 Fiat Punto 1.4 GT then there's the slightly slower the Cadillac Eldorado 7.0l V8 Hardtop Coupe (122 mph) or how about the impressive Ford Capri 3000E GT (122 mph).

— AutoSnout

Figures & Specs Summary:

Related Links:

• 1994 Punto Rivals List.
• 1994 Punto: Full Review and Comparisons.
• A Brief History of Fiat
• Compare the 1994 Fiat Punto