<![CDATA[Jalopnik: punto grande]]> http://tags.jalopnik.com/assets/base/img/thumbs140x140/jalopnik.com.png <![CDATA[Jalopnik: punto grande]]> http://jalopnik.com/tag/puntogrande http://jalopnik.com/tag/puntogrande <![CDATA[BMW, Fiat Join Forces, Create Next-Gen Mini Platform]]> BMW and Fiat have signed a memorandum of understanding to co-develop the next-generation platform underpinning three different small cars — the Mini, the Alfa Romeo Mi.To, and the Fiat Grande Punto (which is desperately in need of help based on our experience). To borrow a phrase, the auto industry works in mysterious ways.

It's not that BMW needs help on the engineering front, but by partnering up, the companies gain economies of scale they'll be able to leverage against their suppliers for a better price. Guess all's fair in love and the battle against rising material costs. [Auto News Europe]

]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=398135&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Novitec Fiat Grande Punto X-One]]> The Novitec crew apparently took a break from messing with Ferraris to toy with another Fiat Group burner. Make that oil burner. It's the Novitec Fiat Grande Punto X-One, a warmed-over version of Fiat's popular European hatch. Not quite a hot hatch from the factory, the diesel Punto's gotten a makeover including body kit and engine-electronics tune that wrings 160 hp out of the 1.9 liter JTD MultiJet. Of course, earlier this year Fiat introduced a turbocharged version of that engine producing up to 188 horsepower. But until they start offering it as a crate motor, this is about the top of what's available. Still, we'd imagine this bugger has torque for days and dainty gas-sipping tendencies. We give it two oilcans up. [World Car Fans]

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