FIAT throws lifeline to ageing Punto range, and misses.

Fiat’s popular and stylish Punto supermini range has recently been enhanced with the addition of a new Sporting trim level and specification upgrades across the line-up, providing customers with outstanding value for money.

Available with either three or five doors and with a choice of five low emission Euro 5 engines, Fiat’s  Punto now comes with a revised line-up of four main trim levels, Pop, Easy, GBT and the new Sporting.

The previous Lounge and TwinAir trim levels have been deleted from the range with the award-winning TwinAir engine now available as an engine choice on both Easy and GBT trim levels.

The engine line up comprises: 1.2 8-valve petrol (69hp), 1.4 8-valve petrol (77hp), 1.4 8-valve petrol (77hp) Dualogic, 1.4 16-valve MultiAir petrol (105hp), TwinAir 0.9-litre petrol (85hp) and 1.3 16-valve MultiJet diesel (85hp).

Standard equipment in the entry-level Pop model includes remote central locking, electric front windows, driver and passenger airbags, window airbags, radio/CD/MP3 player, Dualdrive electric power steering and a height-adjustable driver’s seat.

This specification has been further enhanced with a new dashboard with diamond embossing which is now aligned to the rest of the range, colour-coded door handles and door mirrors and the addition of a driver’s knee airbag as standard.

Both Easy and GBT trim levels have also been enhanced with upgraded, sculpted, black Castiglio fabric seats, the addition of front fog lights with cornering function, dashboard and door ambient lighting and side airbags as standard.

The GBT trim level now also sports 16” 7- spoke 2-tone Sportline alloy wheels, replacing the previous 15” Sportline alloy wheels.

The new exciting Sporting trim level joins the Punto range, building on the success of the GBT, while reinforcing Punto’s sporty credentials.

The new Sporting has a dramatic appearance and features a number of stylish enhancements both to the interior and exterior which make it instantly recognisable and likely to appeal to a younger audience.

Standard equipment on the Sporting trim level includes body coloured rear spoiler and side skirts, gloss black painted roof, sports suspension, gloss black electrically adjustable heated door mirrors, ‘Tarmac finish’ dashboard, black interior roof lining, sports leather steering wheel, leather gear knob and handbrake lever, specific ‘Sporting’ dark headlamps, front fog lights with cornering function, dark tinted privacy glass, chrome exhaust tailpipe and 16” 7- spoke 2-tone black Sportline alloy wheels.

The Sporting trim level is available with the 1.4 8-valve petrol (77hp) and 1.4 16-valve MultiAir petrol (105hp) engines and available with either three or five doors.

 “Fiat’s Punto has always been a popular choice in the supermini segment,” says Elena Bernardelli, marketing director, Fiat UK.

“This popularity is set to continue as the revised Punto range offers customers a stylish, safe, fun to drive package with enhanced levels of specification, wider choice and outstanding value-for-money.”