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Road Test

Model: Fiat Punto Emotion 1.9 Multijet
RRP: $27,990
Price as tested: $28,740 (metallic paint $750)
Also consider: VW Golf 1.9 TDI Trendline (more here), Ford Focus TDCi (more here), Peugeot 207 XT HDi (more here), Mazda3 Diesel, Holden Astra CDTi (more here), Citroen C4 1.6 HDi (more here)

Overall rating: 3.0/5.0
Engine/Drivetrain/Chassis: 3.0/5.0
Price, Packaging and Practicality: 3.5/5.0
Safety: 4.0/5.0
Behind the wheel: 3.5/5.0
X-factor: 3.0/5.0

It seems every week you log on to the Carsales Network there's a new diesel passenger vehicle being launched with almost every European carmaker (and a few others!) moving to at least "toe in the water” status on the diesel front.

Fiat is a case in point. Along with sister brand Alfa Romeo, the Italian company is keen to carve out its own piece of the turbodiesel marketplace Down Under. At present, it may only sell a single model, the Punto, but within the model variants offered there are no less than three diesel engine choices.

Perhaps it was a case of needing a point of difference when the Italian maker returned to the Australian market last year into what is one of the most crowded and competitive segments. More likely it was availability -- Italy is as big a diesel market as any in Europe with oilers accounting for over 50 per cent of new cars. Purists may shudder to learn that 75 per cent of all Alfas built last year were diesels. Fiat ratios are not dissimilar.

Carsales Network's latest Fiat test car, the top of the range five-door 1.9 diesel Punto Emotion, sported a six-speed manual gearbox (The Punto lacks a true automatic transmission -- the Italian maker instead offers an automated clutch pedal-less manual gearbox). Indeed, turbodiesel engine aside, mechanicals are thoroughly conventional front-wheel drive hatch.

From the outside, however, the Punto is anything but. This is a good looker with a certain Alfa/Maserati-esque style about it and slipping into the broad driver's seat, the interior also has an equally pleasing aesthetic.

As a car that almost bridges the light/small divide, there is reasonable space inside for four adults and the equipment levels are appropriate for the price point with the addition of ESP a bit of a bonus. The seats, however, are flat and unsupportive and it seems the adjustments and positioning for the driver was determined by the needs of short-legged Italians.

Under the bonnet is a 88kW/280Nm 1.9-litre common rail turbodiesel that some may note is also offered in the Astra CDTi. It's not the most muted engine and as soon as you turn the key, you definitely know it is diesel. There is a discernible tick outside and even at idle inside the cabin, the diesel clatter is obvious.

The 'plus' side of the diesel engine comes to the fore, however, once you're rolling. With strong urge off the line, this is a very flexible engine with a surprisingly broad band of power. While some smaller turbodiesels have a narrow useful rev range this engine pulls from as low as 1200rpm right through to almost 5000rpm.

The engine is fairly smooth but as you head into the top end it does get louder.

Such is the spread of torque though that you can drive this car very lazily. In sixth gear at 100km/h it is cruising at about 1700rpm (which helped the Carsales Network achieve a good 6.5lt/100km consumption figure over a 150km country run) and there is enough grunt to be able to accelerate from 60km/h at 1500rpm in fourth without a downshift. The gearshift itself is a touch notchy although well defined and relatively easy to use for 'quick-ish' shifts.

On the road, the Punto reveals its European heritage with a ride quality that is on the firm side initially. It does offer a reasonable degree of suppleness on bigger bumps, however, and apart from the contribution of the average seats, the ride remains reasonably comfortable over most surfaces.

The payoff is in the handling with the Punto proving to be a car that can indeed punt along with a resultant lively and engaging drive experience. Through corners, it's a car that sits flat and solid on the road with good body control and plenty of grip.

The steering is well weighted (unless you choose the fingertip-light city setting) and responsive with a decent amount of feel. On the odd wet corner that was approached a little too quickly during our drive, the intervention of the ESP was subtle and effective.

Punto is an attractive and competent light/small car and pitched against the small (although most are bigger than the Fiat) diesels from other Euros it is well worth a look. The noise factor may let it down in some buyers' eyes (ears?) but as this car will also be shopped against myriad $28K small cars, it is probably the refinement of the generic petrol/auto drivetrains of the latter that will appeal to most and therefore cost Fiat sales.

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