Fiat plays mind games with Punto Evo GP

The Punto Evo GP is a cute, yet stylish, supermini

Fiat does like playing quirky little mind games with its drivers.

In the Fiat 500 it was ‘how the hell do I open the windows’ after it moved the button to the centre console and in its bigger brother, the Punto Evo GP, the speedometer and Rev Counter have been transposed (I’m thinking of it as Fiat caring about exercising my brain – like doing crosswords or wearing your watch on the opposite wrist).

Yes, while Fiat has produced a beautifully stylish car in the Punto it has certainly had some fun.

Despite this instrument oddity, I quite liked the Punto.

I was a big fan of the Fiat 500 and the Punto carries through much of its styling.

The model I was driving had chrome wing mirrors, body coloured door handles and a black glass roof – the front section of which turned out to be a sun roof.

The speedometer and Rev Counter are transposed

The chrome look continued inside to the door handles and the instrument surround.

The sports seats were leather look, as were the steering wheel and gear stick.

The upper dash on the passenger side lights up.

The Punto also featured a really good sound system with radio/CD/USB/aux. The car also had BlueTooth.

While there were both front and rear parking sensors, cruise control does not come as standard, which was a pity.

I also didn’t like the centre arm rest as it kept getting in my way – thankfully it’s optional.

The 1.4l six-speed manual model I was driving also had Stop & Start technology and two driving modes – city and normal.

While the Punto can hold its on at motorway speeds it really excels on city streets.

I much preferred normal mode to city though, even in urban settings, because I felt it was a more powerful drive.

Overall, despite playing games with my mind, I think the Punto is a winner.

It’s a cute-looking yet stylish supermini that has an interesting interior, is good on fuel and is fun to drive.

Sport seats, air conditioning, cornering illumination, Start & Stop, Satnav Dock and Blue&Me connectivity with steering wheel controls are just some of the features which come as standard in the Irish spec.

The sunroof in the model I was driving was an optional extra.

The Fiat Punto Evo GP costs from €16,795.

Tech Spec
Engine: 105hp, 1.4litre MultiAir (petrol)
Acceleration: 0-100kph in 10.8s
Maximum Speed: 185kph
Combined fuel consumption: 5.7l/100km
CO2 emissions: 134g/km
Annual road tax: €225 (Band B)

A version of this article first appeared in Metro Herald