Fiat Punto 2008 Review

Fiat has launched a turbocharged petrol version of its light Punto hatch that is in a word a little ripper.

We can't get over the difference this power plant makes to the feel of the car, with its lively performance and sporty dynamics.

The good looking Punto is the car that heralded the return of the Fiat passenger car brand to Australia two years ago.

But at the time the hatchback was available only in diesel form.

The three-door Sport Turbo, priced from $25,990, is essentially the same car as the 1.9-litre turbodiesel Sport, but with a different engine and transmission.

Where the diesel is heavier and more expensive, the petrol version feels lighter, nippier and more fun to drive _ and it's $2000 cheaper.

Weighing in at 1155kg, it is 50kg lighter than the diesel and you'd have to reckon that most of that weight would have come out of the front end.

The new engine is a light pressure turbocharged version of Fiat's 1.4 litre Star-Jet engine.

The low inertia turbo lifts power from 57 to 88kW and torque from 115 to 206Nm, with an amazing 200Nm of torque available from just 1700rpm.

The engine is hooked up to a relatively pedestrian five-speed manual transmission.

It would have been nice to see the six-speed from the diesel, but having said that the five is slick, easy to use and delivers the goods.

By boosting the engine Fiat has managed to shave four seconds off the car's 0-100km/h time which is now a very respectable 8.9 seconds.

At the same time it uses an average of 6.6 litres of fuel per 100km and that's not too far behind the diesel at 5.8.

As the cost of fuel continues to rise motorists will start looking to smaller cars with smaller engines to save money.

With petrol costing $1.60 and diesel $1.80 a litre, many motorists are finding the cost of filling up the family car topping the $100 mark.

That's going to take a bit of getting used to.

Punto takes 95 strength premium (although it will run on standard) and we were getting 7.6 litres/100km from the 45-litre tank, with a bit of hard stuff thrown in.

Many people will take one look at the 1.4 litre capacity and dismiss the engine as too small.

But you'll be surprised.

The boost kicks in early with a flat torque curve that generates strong peformance across the range.

Even in top gear it sales up hills and will still accelerate even if the revs are allowed to drop.

Punto comes with a five-star safety rating, six airbags, anti-lock brakes and electronic stability control.

It's a middle of the road car in the Fiat scheme of things and this is reflected in the plainer, more conservative styling inside.

The standard of finish is also not up to the standard of the more recent Ritmo and 500 models.

Also, you'll find a re-inflation kit instead of a spare or space saver under the luggage area.

Still, it's a very appealing little car if you want to get away from the usual Japanese fare.