THREE years ago Fiat introduced the Grande Punto, a car which has since been widely acclaimed and is now in its second generation, boasting some significant changes, including a GP version.
Already much applauded for its spaciousness and typically Italian flair coupled with a fantastic value for money reputation, the Grande Punto is actually bigger and better than most of its competitors.
The new Grande Punto GP derivative replaces the Active Sport model and features a unique sporty interior trim with instrumentation which makes no secret of its sporting heritage, and new 'dark' headlights.
Also included as standard on the GP model is the innovative sound system Blue&Me which can be controlled by voice or steering wheel buttons and comes with Bluetooth hands free kit.
Cruise control is also standard fit along with radio/CD player with steering wheel mounted controls while remote central locking, electrically controlled door mirrors, powered front windows, follow me home headlights and luggage bay light plus internal electric boot release are also standard fit.
However, air con comes only as a cost option on this model.
Mounted on new 16-inch alloys, the GP also sports a new front grille, front fogs and a rear spoiler, its chic styling and sporty appearance, yet without insurance crippling performance figures, having been designed to attract the young driver.
The Fiat Punto had established a well deserved reputation as hugely accommodating and the Grande Punto has taken the space to even greater lengths with further increased overall dimensions putting the Italian carmaker's family car well up in the supermini league table.
The increased exterior dimensions have resulted in a car which does it large both inside and out. The design team has created space enough to satisfy four average size adults while should your passenger line up include a fifth member there is room spare.
There are cupholders and cubby holes while the luggage bay can house a pretty generous 264 litres of cargo with all seats taken, the 60:40 split rear seat folds to create further stowage space.
The front seats slide automatically to ease access and exit to the rear while height adjustable driver's seat and two way movement of the steering wheel also help to reach a decent driving position while facing a neatly set out dashboard with carbon fibre effect strip and dials decked out in white on grey background to denote the 'sport' set-up.
However, while overall vision is generally good, perhaps the rather wide pillars flanking the windscreen may take a little getting used to.
Paired with a capable five-slot manual gear change, the feisty 1.4-litre 8-valve petrol engine is quite surprisingly refined delivering some pretty serious urge via its 77bhp with the promise of mid-40 mpg on average.
At cruising speeds engine noise is never too invasive, the power train delivering a smoothly refined response to the throttle.
Fine torsional control helps to deliver some sharp handling and there is stacks of grip delivering plenty of driver satisfaction via the sharply responsive power steering. Overall it is a very decent drive despite a somewhat firmish ride in town.
The Fiat Grande Punto shapes up well and is good value for money in a sector where competition is high.
FAST FACTS
Fiat Grande Punto 1.4 GP
Price: £10,870
Mechanical: 77bhp, 1368cc, 4cyl petrol engine driving front wheels via 5-speed manual gearbox
Max speed: 103mph
0-62mph: 13.2 seconds
Combined mpg: 48
Insurance group: 3
CO2 emissions: 139g/km
BiK rating: 16%
Warranty: 3yrs/ unlimited mileage
Words: Malcolm Robertshaw