December 23, 2003. Copyright, 2003, Graphic News. All rights reserved

Fiat Diesel beats Honda Hybrid in race to be green -- but economy claims falter on the road
By Neil Winton

LONDON, December 23, Graphic News:  FiatŐs new high-tech little diesel engine doesnŐt quite deliver what it says on the packet, but it does come up with impressive economy allied with terrific performance in the latest Punto.

The economy delivered by the Fiat PuntoŐs new 1.3 litre Multijet diesel engine flies the flag for diesel power and shows that an expensive and ambitious solution from Honda, with its hybrid-powered Civic, canŐt handle the job as yet. Honda can be proud of the groundbreaking technology in the Civic, but unfortunately, it fails to get close to the economy claims for its dual gasoline and electric motor.

Fiat says its diesel powered Punto will deliver a ŇcombinedÓ, or average, fuel consumption of 62.8 miles per gallon (3.8 litres per 100 kilometres). My road test only managed 52.6mpg (4.5l/100kms) -- thatŐs a failure of around 16 percent. HondaŐs bigger, heavier and more expensive Civic hybrid, which has a 1.3 litre petrol engine boosted by an electric motor, claims 58mpg (4.1l/100 kms) but only made 41.5mpg (5.7l/100kms) -- thatŐs close to 30 per cent less than the claim. Performance is sluggish too.

These inflated economy claims are typical of the industry.

Road test data shows that average economy claims by the carmakers are often exaggerated by 25 percent or more. This is because the companies use European Union regulations to measure economy by running the cars on test beds rather than on actual roads. It means that the figures show consistency across the board and allow for clear comparison, but the bad news is that they often have little relevance to the real world.

This latest Fiat Punto has received a mild, mid-life body facelift, with changes to its grille and lights. It is also the first Fiat to get the new 1.3 litre Multijet diesel, which will also power Car of the Year 2004 -- the Fiat Panda. The new engine is lighter and more compact than conventional diesel motors and it provides the Punto with decent acceleration and more-than-adequate highway cruising performance. The figures for acceleration from a standstill might not look impressive, but this car has useful punch where it matters with a 30-50mph (48-80kp/h) time of 7.2 seconds.

This second-generation twin-cam, 16-valve, common rail, turbo diesel engine rattles and bangs when starting up just like conventional diesels, but quietens down quickly as it warms up. The gutsy engine is a little noisy, but without being too intrusive.

The Punto suffers from the perennial Fiat small car problem of too little space around the clutch, brake and accelerator area for your feet. The brake always seems difficult to locate, and there is little room for your left foot. But steering and handling are first class; this is a lively little car.

The fuel economy figures may be exaggerated, but over 50 miles per gallon (4.7l/100kms) is really very impressive. Modern diesels are providing a great combination of cutting edge economy and impressive performance. Hybrids may be the power plants of the future, but they donŐt do the job yet.

Verdict Đ terrific fuel economy and performance for a little car. The driver may feel a bit cramped. Why exaggerate the fuel economy possibilities?
/ENDS