Roy Lewis roadtests the Fian Punto Evo (From Croydon Guardian)

Roy Lewis roadtests the Fian Punto Evo

8:00am Saturday 6th February 2010

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EVEN the outgoing Fiat Punto can still show its main rivals the way for style, value, space and desirability.

Now the new Punto Evo builds on the strengths of its predecessors, moving the game on with a wealth of innovations.

The Evo tag may conjure up images of racing and rallying for some. But Fiat is using the term to spell out the Evolution versions of its supermini, which concentrate on being environmentally friendly, safer, more welcoming for passengers and better to drive.

Outstanding features are the squeaky-clean engines and classy interior which houses a wealth of electronic wizardry.

The ground-breaking motors are the smooth and powerful 1.4-litre Multi-Air petrol, with lower CO2 emissions and fuel consumption, and the impressive 1.3-litre Multi- Jet diesel in 75 and 95hp form with a fuel consumption figure of more than 80mpg on the extra-urban cycle. Both the petrol and diesel units feature start and stop technology to further help cut emissions and fuel consumption.

Prices go from £10,995 for the entry-level Active eight-valve 1.4- litre three-door, to £15,595 for the top specification Eleganza 1.3-litre Multi-Jet five-door diesel automatic.

Step inside the car and you’ll find softer, more curvy lines with redesigned and supportive seating to contribute to a more comfortable and cosier interior.

The dash, too, is more functional, with the centre console sporting a recess for a portable Blue and Me Tom Tom unit while a smart piano black panel surrounds the sound system’s LCD display. The car can seat five and the spacious boot can cope with the family luggage.

The driving experience of previous Punto models has not always bettered that of leading rivals but Fiat has worked on chassis rigidity and revised the suspension to improve matters. Noise and vibrations transmitted from the road surface are markedly reduced so that the Punto is a quiet car when underway.

Behind the wheel, there is plenty of adjustment to obtain a comfortable driving position, with the excellent little diesel version giving a good ride and showing excellent composure when being driven enthusiastically along a twisty route. This little 16-valve unit is offered with 75 or 95hp and with the more powerful engine there is a 0-62 acceleration time of 11.7 seconds and an equally pleasing fuel return of 67.3mpg on the combined cycle.

The big advantage of this secondgeneration diesel is that toque delivery at low revs can be up to 25 per cent greater. And depending on engine choice, five or six-speed manual gearboxes are available or a sequential shift transmission which makes the Punto the only car among its peers to feature an automatic gearbox alongside a start and stop system.

The 16-valve Multi-Air petrol units are also smooth and very lively for their size and, in particular, enable the Punto to cruise well on the open road or motorway. Fiat says that these units provide for an average 10 per cent reduction in CO2 emissions, 10 per cent more power and 15 per cent more torque.

The growing interest in Fiat’s compact cars is shown in the manufacturer’s increased new and used car sales and growing residual values.

The Punto has become increasingly popular and was the fifth bestselling car in Europe last year. And with seven million Puntos sold worldwide and 700,000 sold in the UK, it is obviously a very important car for the Italian manufacturers.

AT-A-GLANCE Fiat Punto Evo GP 1.3 Multi-Jet diesel 75hp 5-door.

Price: £14,795.

Top speed: 103mph.

0-62mph: 13.6 seconds.

Fuel: 68.9mpg (combined figure).

C02 Emissions (g/km): 108.

Verdict: Great engines, superb cabin and equipment, innovative, stylish looks, practical and roomy.

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