Behind Closed Doors: The Aborted Fiat Punto Successor Revealed

Automakers are notorious for keeping their canceled projects under wraps, but occasionally, a glimpse of what could have been emerges. The most recent example of this is the decade-old project for an aborted Fiat Punto successor, which has just been shared with the public.

During the unveiling of the all-new 600, Fiat’s CEO Olivier Francois revealed that the project for a new B-Segment vehicle dates back to the pre-Stellantis era. In 2013, Antonio Massacesi, now Head of Fiat New Products, was tasked with developing the successor to the Grande Punto, which unfortunately never saw the light of day.

According to Massacesi, the late Sergio Marchione, former CEO of FCA, was skeptical about the B-Segment, deeming it too competitive and not profitable enough. However, he did like the idea of a “bigger 500” that would be more aspirational than a Punto, Fiesta, or Clio, while still offering better pricing.

Initially, the project received approval and the team began working on it. However, after a period of uncertainty, the project fell apart when it became evident that a new platform was necessary. One potential contender was the SSCC architecture, a collaboration between FCA and GM, which already underpinned several models such as the 2005 Fiat Grande Punto, the 2006 Opel Corsa, and the 2008 Alfa Romeo MiTo. However, Massacesi admitted that this platform was already outdated in terms of safety and emissions. With no other brand willing to share the costs, Fiat had no choice but to abandon the idea of a new supermini and focus on more viable projects.

During the presentation, an official sketch of the canceled Punto replacement was shown as a predecessor to the 600, Fiat’s latest entry into the B-Segment. The sketch from 2013 bears a striking resemblance to the 500X, which is not surprising considering the SUV eventually became the “larger 500.” It combined a more spacious interior with higher ground clearance and adventurous yet retro styling. Upon closer inspection, it becomes apparent that the sketch is a slightly modified version of an official development sketch for the Fiat 500X published by Auto&Design magazine in 2014.

What remains puzzling is that the Fiat 500X, which was introduced in 2016 and remains largely unchanged today, is based on the Small Wide 4×4 architecture, an evolution of the SCCS platform. It is unclear why a Punto successor couldn’t have utilized these underpinnings, which are also used by the Jeep Renegade.

Regardless, Fiat ceased production of the aging Punto in 2018 after a 13-year-long production run. Today, the automaker has taken a fresh approach with the all-new 600e B-SUV, utilizing Stellantis’ parts bin for its platform and featuring a fully electric powertrain. The only notable difference is that the new model starts at €35,950 ($39,176) before incentives, more than double the price of the last Punto.

The B-Segment has always been crucial for Fiat, with over 20 million units sold over the years. While the canceled Punto successor may never see the light of day, Fiat’s focus on more viable projects and its commitment to electric vehicles with the new 600e demonstrate the brand’s determination to stay relevant in an ever-evolving automotive landscape.

Watch the presentation about the canceled supermini project at the 33:04 mark in the official video here.

In conclusion, automakers often keep their canceled projects secret, but occasionally, details emerge. The recently revealed aborted Fiat Punto successor sheds light on the challenges faced by the brand and its decision to focus on more viable projects. While the canceled project may have been a missed opportunity, Fiat’s commitment to electric vehicles with the new 600e shows its dedication to innovation and staying competitive in the market.