Fiat, perhaps wisely, isn't pretending that the 2012 Punto is a new car - but it is a new package, bringing together a MultiAir engine, new 'green' technology, new colours (both for paint and upholstery) new telematics and a five-year or 100 000km warranty.
Front and rear treatments have been restyled with new bumpers, and head and tail-light clusters. The body-colour front bumper has deeper air-dams, with the indicators alongside the centre air intake, while the rear bumper, also body-coloured, has been reshaped to meld more smoothly into the lines of the body, with a recessed number-plate holder and all-new tail lights in the C pillars.
The new bumpers also protrude more, 'stretching' the overall length of the car to 4060mm, while the other dimensions stay the same - 1690mm wide and 1490mm high on a 2510mm wheelbase.
Inside, there are a improved seats, upholstered in fresh fabrics, and a completely new dashboard with stylish trim inserts, new storage compartments and a new instrument panel.
MOTORVATION
The 2012 Punto engine range starts with the (almost too) familiar eight-valve, 1.4-litre Fire engine, now quoted at 57kW at 6000rpm, 115Nm at 3250rpm and 5.6 litres per 100km.
Then there's a 1.4l MultiAir, good for a claimed 77kW at 6500rpm and 130Nm at 4000rpm at a cost of 5.7 litres per 100km and, at the naughty end of the scale, there's the award-winning 1.4l MultiAir Turbo engine, for which Fiat boasts 99kW at 5000rpm and 206Nm at only 1750rpm, while burning only 5.6 litres per 100km.
For the first time on a Fiat, every variant in the range has a stop/start function with a gear shift indicator to help reduce emissions (a feel-good-by-doing-good factor) and reduce your fuel bill - a feel-good-by-doing-well factor.
JESSE ADAMS DROVE THEM
"I think Fiat was clever in offering its top MultiAir Punto models only for test at launch, because I suspect the entry-level 1.4 would perform rather sluggishly - even at sea level. Up here at Jozi altitude I reckon it'll be a disaster, but I'll reserve full judgement until I actually experience it. Fact is however, it makes less power than the same brand's Linea - a car we know as one of the slowest sold today.
"That said, the new Alfa-derived MultiAir engine choices that we were allowed to sample, were impressive. Still, the naturally aspirated version requires hard-revving if you want to get somewhere in a hurry, but it does so in a nice smooth manner.
"I like the turbo. At 99kW and 206Nm it fills a gap in the market where no other small turbo cars can be found. In truth, it actually felt like it had more power than what's quoted, and it's a blast to drive.
"It revs eagerly, and I most enjoyed heel-and-toe downshifts, which made it easier to downshift the low-mileage and still sticky gearbox - although I can't understand why Fiat has opted for a five-speed in the turbo, while the naturally-aspirated version gets six gears."
There are four variants in three trim lines - Pop, Easy and Lounge.
The entry-level Pop - with the old Fire engine - comes with Dualdrive electric power steering with a 'city' function, aircon, power fornt windows, a smoker's kit with cigar lighter and ash-tray, height and reach-adjustable steering wheel, a height-adjustable driver's seat and remote central locking.
The Easy is available in either 1.4 8V Fire or 1.4 MultiAir flavour, and adds 15” alloys, body-colour exterior trim and shiny headlight clusters, with denim upholstery (with your choice of red, blue or light grey patterned inserts), a six-speaker, MP3-compatible radio/CD player with satellite controls on the steering wheel and a roof-mounted aerial and a data panel between the speedometer and rev-counter.
The Lounge trim - only with MultiAir Turbo power - boasts heatable door mirrors, an external temperature sensor, 15” burnished alloy rims, black fabric upholstery, leather-covered steering wheel and gear knob, power windows all round, a centre armrest with storage compartment, dual-zone auto aircon and a 40/60 split rear seat bench.
ADAMS' COMMENTS:
"There are some issues though. The top spec Turbo Lounge has a flip-up ashtray atop the dash that refused to open, the VIN number plate was pop-riveted to the upper fascia in a very tatty manner (the rivet's sharp inner piece was still protruding), the owner's manual is an inch too wide to fit in the cubby hole so it's placed in an elastic net on the gearbox tunnel, and the passenger seat cannot be height adjusted and is way too high to be comfortable"
Safety is a priority not an option
Antilock braking with electronic brake-force distribution is standard across the range; the Lounge also has an electronic stability programme and hill hold.
Two front airbags are standard across the range, two window bags and a driver knee airbag are standard on the Easy and the Lounge models and two front side airbags are standard on the Lounge and an option on the Easy.
Adaptive 'cornering' front fog lights that switch on automatically with dipped headlights according to the angle of steering optional on Easy trim and standard on the Lounge model.
PRICES
1.4 Pop - R129 900
1.4 Easy - R149 900
1.4 MultiAir - R169 900
1.4 MultiAir Turbo Lounge - R209 900
Service intervals are 30 000km; the MultiAir models also come with a four-year or 60 000km service plan