The onboard monitor displays the number or the name of the person calling if the name is in the phone book, and a number can be dialled 'aloud' by dictating it digit by digit or by pronouncing the person's name if it is memorised.

And thanks to an advanced voice recognition process, the system does not have to learn the voice. It can manage and memorise up to 5 mobile phones simultaneously, allowing several people in the same car to use the hands-free device; obviously the programme can be modified whenever necessary. And finally, with the 'voice recognition hands-free system' it is possible to reproduce a personal ring tone on the radio.


Cruise Control

Cruise Control is a system that helps the driver to manage the car's travelling speed, enhancing travelling comfort, and it is available on the Grande Punto. The device governs the throttle valve directly, so that the cruising speed set by the driver is maintained automatically. All the driver has to do is to turn the ring nut on the lever to the left of the steering wheel to the 'ON' position, shifting it towards 'plus' (or 'minus') until it reaches the desired speed. When the ring nut is released, the car will continue to travel at the memorised speed without the driver having to press the accelerator.
Cruise Control can operate throughout the range of rev speeds permitted by the engine, but only for speeds above 40 km/h. So it is advisable to use the device with road conditions that allow the memorised speed to be maintained safely.


If the driver presses the accelerator (for example, to overtake), Cruise Control is momentarily deactivated even though the system remains active. The car responds to the accelerator, but as soon as the pedal is released, the system will return to the memorised speed. For obvious safety reasons, the device is automatically deactivated when the driver presses the brake or clutch pedal. In this case it is necessary to press the 'RESUME' button, on the end of the Cruise Control lever, to return to the set speed.

To definitively deactivate Cruise Control and cancel any previous setting, turn the ring nut to the 'OFF' position and turn the engine off. A telltale on the multifunction display indicates whether the system is activated or deactivated.

ASR (Anti Slip Regulation) has priority over Cruise Control, but once ASR has ceased its intervention, the system returns to the set speed.


Parking sensor

During parking manoeuvres, obstacles behind the car may be out of the driver's field of vision, or the driver might simply not know exactly how far he is from the car parked behind. This is where the parking sensor can help, it is activated every time the ignition key is turned to the MAR position and reverse is engaged.

The system comprises an electronic control unit, which has an interface for the CAN network, four ultrasonic sensors in the rear bumper (two at the sides of the bumper and two beside the number plate), and a beeper. The four sensors cover both the outside rear corners of the car (starting from a distance of less than 60 cm) and the mid rear areas (starting from a distance below 150 cm).

How does it function? There are four ultrasonic transducers which act as intelligent impulse transmitters and receivers. The latter are emitted every time reverse is engaged and when they meet an obstacle they are reflected and received as an echo by the sensor. At this point, the incoming signal is converted into a digital signal and sent to the electronic control unit, which triggers the beeper.

The information is transmitted to the driver by regular acoustic signals, and the interval becomes shorter until it becomes a continuous signal when the car is 30 centimetres from the obstacle.

The beeper stops if the lateral sensors detect an obstacle approaching for more than three seconds. This is to prevent the system from continuing to beep during manoeuvres along a wall parallel to the axis of the car.

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