Located in a small sleepy town called Arjeplog, Fiat's winter facility is located on the banks of a lake that freezes over in winter. Testing tracks are developed both on land as well as out on the frozen lake in order to test a plethora of automobile related systems and technologies.

An early morning breakfast and the woolens packed on (average temperature during the day was minus 5 degree Celsius) ensured that I was ready for a day of great driving.

The Grande Punto is positioned as a large two box hatch.  Designed to represent three fundamental qualities, beauty, solidity and brilliance in an original way, the Punto is quintessential Italian styling.  Developed by Italdesign-Giugiaro along with the Fiat Style Centre, the Grande Punto stands out in the current automotive scene, not only for its size but also for the beauty of its modern elegant exterior lines which seem to be inspired by the sports cars of the 1950s and 1960s.

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Like the exterior, the interior of the Grande Punto carries forward the essence of Italian styling thanks to the quality of the materials used and the care that went into every detail. It is extremely roomy, with excellent front visibility, easy access and a large luggage compartment. Where quality is concerned, the Grande Punto is stylish and refined and comes with a great sense of solidity and compactness. What the customers get is a welcoming, plush and functional environment that is bound to excite.

Available in two body styles;a three door version and a 5 door version, the Grande Punto aims to cater to a heterogeneous mix of customers. Both versions share a broad, comprehensive range with four specification levels, each capable of satisfying different customers. The Active outfit addresses the younger driver; the Dynamic version is the right response for those who combine an emotional and a rational approach, while the Grande Punto Emotion is ideal for the motorist who is looking for the equipment of a higher category and excellent comfort in a compact. Last but not least, there is the Sport version which is aimed for the enthusiasts who want excellent performance combined with the distinctive styling features.

Safety has also occupied a very high pedestal in Fiat's planning of the Grande Punto. A multitude of crash tests and laborious hours of research have made it one of the safest compacts around. Fitted with up to 7 airbags (depending on model), two of which are of the Multistage type (six are standard on the Dynamic and Emotion specifications), three-point seat-belts with pre-tensioners and load limiters, five head-restraints and the FPS fire prevention system make the Grande Punto a rather safe place to be.