Just to recap for newcomers, 2006 is the Year of the Supersize Supermini. The trend originated with Volkswagen's Polo (now as big as a Tesco Metro) and this year sees director's cut versions of the Toyota Yaris, Renault Clio and this familiar badge. Still, by slapping the word Grande on the new Punto's rump, no one can say Fiat didn't warn you.
Sounds ominous - are super-sized superminis losing the plot?
Depends how you view it. Car marketeers tend to obsess about sectors, but the business simply goes where customers dictate. Hence the unstoppable rise of the SUV sector, an idea which is to sensible motoring what the bumble bee is to aeronautics. Car makers didn't put one on your neighbour's drive though; your neighbour did. Likewise, Fiat can only listen to its customers. They've said they like small, but they don't want that to spell bruised knees, poor safety spec and crudity before luxury.
So this is a big step upmarket for Fiat?
Well the old car, which you'll still be able to buy, incidentally, as a no-frills economy ticket, was hardly utilitarian and Fiat has never had trouble selling Puntos, having shifted six million of them, which isn't fair. This time round, much of the development was shared with GM, whose side of the project will surface later this year in the shape of the new Corsa. It's unlikely that that rival, however, will have the same visual impact as this. Blessed with the face of a mini-Maserati, the new Punto is a triumph of chic Italian styling, neat all-in-one headlamps, an extruded grille and sleek lines taking it straight to the head of the supermini catwalk.
What are my diesel choices?
Grande Punto kicks off at ¯¿½7,594 for the 1.2 petrol Active. There are four diesel units to play with and the entry-level 1.3 Active, with 75bhp on tap, is ¯¿½8,495. If you have £10,195 you can upgrade to the 90bhp version of the same sixteen-valve engine, in Dynamic trim (¯¿½10,795 buying the five-door option), but there's more: ¯¿½12,295 obtains the keys to a 120hp, 1.9 Eleganza, also with five doors, while the hottest Punto diesel option is a 130hp version of the 1.9 Multijet, in Sporting trim. Fitted with three doors, it's your for ¯¿½11,895. With these diesels, Signor Marchionne, you are spoiling us.
How's the running cost looking?
From the 130bhp car, you can expect an average of 36.2mpg and a 0-60mph thrust of 9.5 seconds. At the other end of the scale, the 90bhp 1.3 musters 61.4mpg and reaches 60mph in a not-so-bad 11.9 seconds. I forgot to mention the cheaper 75bhp version? Yes, that's because it's considerably slower and drinks a touch more to the gallon. So avoid it.
And what does Active, etc, give me?
Your local Fiat dealer will happily explain the options, but 'base-spec' Active makes a strong case for going no further.
