Climate system

The climate in the passenger compartment is one of the main comfort factors on the road, and it is also an important element in preventive safety, because temperature, humidity and ventilation affect the driver's well-being and therefore his attention level. But the heating and ventilation system is also responsible for demisting the windscreen and side windows. This is why the new model is offered with a choice between three heating systems: a conventional heater, a manual climate system, and an automatic dual-zone system. The latter includes an elecronic control unit that governs the temperature, airflow and distribution, and activates the compressor and recirculation function. The system also implements an 'equivalent temperature' climate control strategy. A number of sensors register the indoor and outdoor temperature and evaluate the sensation of thermal well-being perceived by the passenger, i.e. the energy exchange between the human body and the passenger compartment, which is affected by the humidity, the temperature and the flow of treated air. Another sensor, positioned centrally at the base of the windscreen, measures the solar radiation in the vehicle and the angle at which the rays hit the passenger compartment. It ensures that the sun's rays do not cause the interior temperature to climb too high, by informing the climate system. The dual-zone device can provide two different temperatures and air flows simultaneously: one on the right of the passenger compartment, and another on the left.


Radio and Hi-Fi system

The audio equipment on the new model is particularly interesting, with a choice of two radios and three audio systems (Hi-Fi, Hi-Fi with subwoofer and an 'Interscope' Hi-Fi Sound System). The audio systems have 6 speakers and all share the same painstaking design of the features and the layout of the speakers, which was studied and calibrated specifically to the passenger compartment. The first level, with a 40W output, features two tweeters close to the door handles, two woofers on the front doors and two full-range speakers in the rear side panels. The second Hi-Fi system has the same features plus a subwoofer in the luggage compartment (with 100W bass-reflex amplification), for a warmer sound and better listening; the third level increases the power amplification with four 60W musical channels, plus a specific calibration of the 6 speakers and the subwoofer (100W bass-reflex amplification), which produces amazing listening in terms of performance and dynamism. This system was developed with Interscope, a prestigious Universal Music brand. All 3 systems have 6 speakers manufactured with Water Resistant technology.

There is a choice of two radios (available with CD or CD-MP3 file player) which are incorporated ergonomically into the design of the dashboard. They are positioned in the upper part of the facia (the best position for the driver) where they are easily reached by the passenger, but they can also be adjusted using the controls on the steering wheel. Both include RDS (Radio Data System), the TA (traffic information) function, and PTY (the code by which radio stations indicate the type of programmes broadcast, so that the system can automatically select only the type of music preferred by the listener). Every time the radio is turned on, it adopts the volume setting in place when it was turned off, while another device automatically corrects the equalisation on the basis of the speed of the car. The driver can also choose between 'pre-set equalised effects', or set and memorise the sound parameters he prefers. And finally, on request, Lineaccessori offers a CD-changer that is positioned in the luggage compartment and operated using the radio controls.


Seats

The front and rear seats of the Grande Punto were designed to guarantee the best comfort for every passenger percentile. This was made possible by working closely with the best Italian ergonomics and sports medicine specialists. To enhance comfort and vibration absorption, the front seats have a new lumbar support system that sustains the back better. And the front seats are filled with special foam that adapts to the shape of the body, and have an 'anti-submarining' structure that prevents the body from sliding forward under the seat-belt in the event of a violent head-on collision. The front seats have the following adjustments: height, longitudinal (with a stroke of 240 mm), squab rake (with a knob for continuous step adjustment), and lumbar (with an electric control). And finally, the height of the head-restraints also adjusts, and they can be fitted with an anti-whiplash system on request, which brings the head-restraint closer to the neck of the occupant in the event of a crash.

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