Punto hunts grunt

The 1.9-litre turbodiesel five-door Emotion and three-door Sport models might be the most expensive Fiat Puntos in Australia, but they aren't the fastest.

That honour goes to the just-released Punto Sport Turbo.

Available as a three-door only, the quickest Punto is visually identical and similarly equipped to the diesel-engined Sport model, except it uses a 1.4-litre petrol turbo engine.

Producing 90kW and 206Nm, it enables the Punto to accelerate from zero to 100km/h in 8.9 seconds, where the 1.9-litre turbodiesel takes 9.5 seconds.

At $25,990 it is $2000 cheaper than the 1.9-litre turbodiesel versions, and $6000 more expensive than the base five-door manual-transmission Dynamic model that is powered by a normally aspirated, 57kW version of the same 1.4-litre petrol engine.

The $2000 saving over the 96kW diesel Punto Sport might come with improved acceleration, but that doesn't mean there are any great fuel economy disadvantages; the claimed average consumption figure is an impressive 6.6L/100km - or 0.8L/100km more than the 1.9-litre turbodiesel. The Punto Sport Turbo's carbon dioxide output is quoted at 155g/km.

About the only deficit for the driver is that the transmission is a manual-only five-speeder where the diesel versions get six speeds.

The extra performance is contained by a tighter "sports" suspension, as well as 17-inch alloy wheels direct from the diesel-engined Sport model. Fiat says the overall weight increase for the Sport Turbo is "very low".

It also gets the same ESP electronic stability control system as standard, as well as four-disc ABS braking with electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD), traction control, hill-holder brakes and is decked out with the requisite colour-coded spoilers and side skirts.

A member of the Fiat "Star-Jet" family, the single overhead camshaft, eight-valve engine uses low-pressure turbo boost to produce as much as 200Nm of torque by the time it is spinning at 1700rpm.

With dual driver and passenger airbags, front side airbags and full-length curtain airbags -- as well as an optional kneebag for the driver - the Punto Sport gets a five-star Euro NCAP rating.

The new Punto comes with an internal deck-out that includes cloth "Sports" seats, a slightly reworked instrument panel, and leather trim on the steering wheel and gear knob. Air-conditioning and cruise control are standard.

The arrival of the Sport Turbo brings to four the number of engines available in the Fiat Punto range, adding to the base 57kW 1.4-litre petrol and the 66kW 1.3-litre turbodiesel engines in the Dynamic models, and the 1.9-litre 96kW turbodiesel in the Emotion and Sport models.

The new 1.4-litre petrol Turbo and the 1.9-litre turbodiesel come with manual transmission only. The 1.4-litre normally aspirated engine is available with a five-speed DuaLogic automated manual transmission as well as the regular five-speed manual, while the 1.3-litre turbodiesel can be ordered with a six-speed manual or a six-speed DuaLogic transmission.

About the only option available with the Punto Sport Turbo is an oversize PowerDome glass sunroof -- metallic paint is standard, although "pastel" paint can be ordered.

Main competitors for the little Fiat include Volkswagen's Polo GTi ($26,990 and 110kW), Ford Fiesta XR4 ($24,990 and 110kW), Mitsubishi Colt Ralliart ($29,990 and 113kW), Peugeot 207 GT ($31,490 and 110kW) and Suzuki Swift Sport ($23,990 and 92kW).

 » Get the best price on a new Fiat Punto

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