Fiat Punto EvoAfter the Grande Punto….the Punto Evo. In keeping with our hair-shirt times this is an eco brother of the popular Grande which is still Europe’s fifth best-seller. Essentially the ‘Evolution’ is achieved through new engines coupled to standard fitment of ‘StartandStop’. Fiat themselves also claim that the eco:Drive software, which owners can download from the Fiat website and then use to compare their driving with ideal eco progress, is another massive aid to green driving. Whether you believe that or not, it’s now available in the Punto Evo in real time through the TomTom navigation screen (if you’ve got one).The Punto Evo is a 3- or 5-door hatchback just a few inches longer than a Fiesta. It’s powered by a range of medium sized petrol and diesel engines, all between 1.2 and 1.4 litres, though Fiat themselves for some reason call the 1.2 engines (which are 1248cc) ‘1.3’. Despite the fairly small range of size, the power variation is huge: it runs from the 75PS MultiJet diesel up to the 135PS MultiAir petrol unit, which is still only 1.4 litres capacity. ‘MultiAir’ is the company’s new name for dynamic control of the petrol engine’s air intake, with constantly variable timing and duration of each cylinder’s intake valve opening. Needless to say, the claimed benefits are improved power and efficiency, and since both 1.4 MultiAir engines manage a combined consumption of around 50mpg, equalling that of the ‘normal’ 1.4, it’s a pretty fair claim when one considers that the more powerful MultiAir is 75% beefier than the ordinary engine, which to be fair does have half the number of valves. My drive of this MultiAir left me with a very favourable impression: bags of power, and surprising torque too, so there’s little need for constant stirring of the gear lever to get the best out of it.The Punto Evo may be Fiesta-sized, but interior room is impressive. Long legs can be accommodated in both front and rear seats simultaneously, and there’s plenty of head room too. Buyers opting for the three-door version will probably be nervous of inviting passengers into the rear of the vehicle, since entry in many cars requires Olympic agility, but the Punto Evo offers a reasonably easy entry past the sliding front seat, and importantly that seat remembers where it was.On the road the new Fiat is quiet enough to permit normal conversation in the cabin; there’s a bit of road noise, but the engines are quietly behaved. The driver has an easy job, with light and precise controls, and though the B and C pillars are chunky items, vision to the front quarters is splendidly uninterrupted. Transmission is 5- or 6-speed as standard, but a sequential auto is available as a £400 option. The Start&Stop system works well, and as ever there’s nothing the driver has to do to make it operational. Come to rest in traffic with the gear lever in neutral, and the engine stops. Declutch and it starts again. Work out how long you normally spend sitting stationary in traffic with the engine running, and you can see how the system lends considerable weight to overall efficiency.Opinion of the seat comfort was split; my co-driver thought it was fine, but I found the shape of the backrest mildly unsuited to that of my back. I’m quite prepared to believe this is down to faulty contours in my back, rather than in the Punto.If you opt for one of the higher models, the obvious benefit of increased equipment is joined by what may well seem the equal plus of a more colourful interior. Chunks of bright body-coloured plastic scattered around the cabin might sound gauche, but in fact the overall effect is hugely attractive, and I’m not normally one to bother! Trim in the more basic models follows the current universal approach – dark grey with bright elements dotted around the facia.Luggage space runs from 275 to 1030 litres, and since I’ve been comparing this car to the Fiesta it’s probably worth saying that the minimum is marginally less than the Ford’s (an inevitable result of the generous leg room for passengers), but the max is rather greater. Unlike many of today’s hatchbacks, the rear seat of this one (split on most models) does fold fully – backrest and seat cushion – but folding the cushion is not as easy as it might be; it’s simply difficult to get hold of.Overall, the Punto Evo comes across as a capable contender for a large family’s second car, or a smaller family’s only one. Fiat’s market share in 2009 was over 3%, the best since 2002, and their latest cars have looked ever more convincing. The Punto Evo – with impressive space and competitive performance/economy – is another strong contender.Size: 4.07m x 1.69mEngines: Petrol: 1.4 litres – 77, 105 & 135PSDiesel: 1.3 litres (1248cc) – 75 & 95PSGearbox: 5/6-speed manual FWDBest Consumption: 75PS diesel – 68.9mpgPrice at March ’10: £10,995 to £15,595Full details of the Punto Evo range available on the manufacturer’s website: www.fiat.co.ukPeter CracknellFebruary 2010
Fiat Punto Evo
After the Grande Punto….the Punto Evo. In keeping
with our hair-shirt times this is an eco brother of the
popular Grande which is still Europe’s fifth best-
seller. Essentially the ‘Evolution’ is achieved through
new engines coupled to standard fitment of
‘StartandStop’. Fiat themselves also claim that the
eco:Drive software, which owners can download
from the Fiat website and then use to compare their
driving with ideal eco progress, is another massive
aid to green driving. Whether you believe that or not,
it’s now available in the Punto Evo in real time
through the TomTom
navigation screen (if
you’ve got one).
The Punto Evo is a 3-
or 5-door hatchback
just a few inches
longer than a Fiesta.
It’s powered by a
range of medium
sized petrol and
diesel engines, all
between 1.2 and 1.4
litres, though Fiat
themselves for some
reason call the 1.2
engines (which are
1248cc) ‘1.3’. Despite
the fairly small range
of size, the power
variation is huge: it
runs from the 75PS MultiJet diesel up to the 135PS
MultiAir petrol unit, which is still only 1.4 litres
capacity. ‘MultiAir’ is the company’s new name for
dynamic control of the petrol engine’s air intake, with
constantly variable timing and duration of each
cylinder’s intake valve opening. Needless to say, the
claimed benefits are improved power and efficiency,
and since both 1.4 MultiAir engines manage a
combined consumption of around 50mpg, equalling
that of the ‘normal’ 1.4, it’s a pretty fair claim when
one considers that the more powerful MultiAir is 75%
beefier than the ordinary engine, which to be fair
does have half the number of valves. My drive of this
MultiAir left me with a very favourable impression:
bags of power, and surprising torque too, so there’s
little need for constant stirring of the gear lever to get
the best out of it.
The Punto Evo may be Fiesta-sized, but interior
room is impressive. Long legs can be
accommodated in both front and rear seats
simultaneously, and there’s plenty of head room too.
Buyers opting for the three-door version will probably
be nervous of inviting passengers into the rear of the
vehicle, since entry in many cars requires Olympic
agility, but the Punto Evo offers a reasonably easy
entry past the sliding front seat, and importantly that
seat remembers where it was.
On the road the new Fiat is quiet enough to permit
normal conversation in the cabin; there’s a bit of road
noise, but the engines are quietly behaved. The
driver has an easy job, with light and precise
controls, and though the B and C pillars are chunky
items, vision to the front quarters is splendidly
uninterrupted. Transmission is 5- or 6-speed as
standard, but a sequential auto is available as a
£400 option. The Start&Stop system works well, and
as ever there’s nothing the driver has to do to make it
operational. Come to rest in traffic with the gear lever
in neutral, and the engine stops. Declutch and it
starts again. Work out how long you normally spend
sitting stationary in traffic with the engine running, and
you can see how the system lends considerable
weight to overall efficiency.
Opinion of the seat comfort was split; my co-driver
thought it was fine, but I found the shape of the
backrest mildly unsuited to that of my back. I’m quite
prepared to believe this is down to faulty contours in
my back, rather than in the Punto.
If you opt for one of the higher models, the obvious
benefit of increased equipment is joined by what may
well seem the equal
plus of a more
colourful interior.
Chunks of bright
body-coloured plastic
scattered around the
cabin might sound
gauche, but in fact the
overall effect is
hugely attractive, and
I’m not normally one
to bother! Trim in the
more basic models
follows the current
universal approach –
dark grey with bright
elements dotted
around the facia.
Luggage space runs
from 275 to 1030
litres, and since I’ve been comparing this car to the
Fiesta it’s probably worth saying that the minimum is
marginally less than the Ford’s (an inevitable result of
the generous leg room for passengers), but the max is
rather greater. Unlike many of today’s hatchbacks, the
rear seat of this one (split on most models) does fold
fully – backrest and seat cushion – but folding the
cushion is not as easy as it might be; it’s simply
difficult to get hold of.
Overall, the Punto Evo comes across as a capable
contender for a large family’s second car, or a smaller
family’s only one. Fiat’s market share in 2009 was
over 3%, the best since 2002, and their latest cars
have looked ever more convincing. The Punto Evo –
with impressive space and competitive
performance/economy – is another strong contender.
Size:
4.07m x 1.69m
Engines:
Petrol: 1.4 litres – 77, 105 & 135PS
Diesel: 1.3 litres (1248cc) – 75 & 95PS
Gearbox:
5/6-speed manual FWD
Best Consumption:
75PS diesel – 68.9mpg
Price at March ’10:
£10,995 to £15,595
Full details of the Punto Evo range available on the
manufacturer’s website: www.fiat.co.uk
Peter Cracknell
February 2010
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