Fiat Punto goes through an Evo-lution

The Punto Evo gets a redesigned nose and new bumpers, along with numerous upgrades to the interior. The chrome grille now makes way for a more streamlined look, while there are also minor changes to the taillights.

Inside, the Punto Evo gets an updated dashboard, improved seats, bigger storage compartments, new gauges for the instrument panel as well as new audio and climate systems. There is also a new "Blue&Me-TomTom" infotainment system that combines telephone, navigation and information functions on a colour touch-screen.

Fiat has also put the emphasis on safety in the new Punto Evo, with all models getting seven airbags as standard, including one for the driver´s knee. Other safety features include the Hill-Holder to help with hill starts, adaptive ´cornering´ front fog lights that switch on automatically with dipped headlights according to the angle of steering, as well as the usual ABS, EBD (Electronic Brake force Distribution) and ESP (Electronic Stability Program) systems.

A wide range of engines are available for the Punto, including a new 1.4 litre petrol engine featuring the MultiAir system which uses electro-hydraulic valve management to reduce fuel consumption by controlling air directly via the inlet valves without using the throttle. Fiat says that the MultiAir system develops up to 10% more power and 15% more torque while cutting fuel consumption and emissions by up to 10%.

There is also a 1.3-litre diesel Multijet engine with a new common rail injector that offers an improvement of around 2% in consumption and emissions. All engines in the Punto Evo range comply with the latest Euro 5 emissions standards, and are available with a Start/Stop system as standard.

Fiat will also offer alternative fuel versions of the Punto Evo, with a dual fuel engine that runs on methane, as well as a version that runs on LPG, to be sold alongside the petrol and diesel cars when sales begin in October.