Fiat's Grande Punto range is revitalised for 2009 with three new engines and boosted specs.

Two models ? the five-door 1.3 M-Jet and the three-door 1.9 M-Jet ? fall away to make way for three new petrol additions. The newcomers essentially top ?n tail the revitalised Grande Punto range: the 88kW 1.4 turbo-petrol mill now becomes the performance flagship and is shoehorned into the five-door 1.4 T-Jet Dynamic and the three-door 1.4 T-Jet Sport, while the three-door 1.2 Active becomes the new entry-level player.

The new 1.4 16v T-JET is the first in a new family of turbocharged petrol engines that offer performance, prompt response to the accelerator, low consumption, constructional simplicity, sturdiness and reliability. It delivers its 88kW at 5000rpm and peak torque of 206Nm, with 200Nm already available at about 1700rpm. Both the three-door 1.4 T-Jet Sport and the five-door 1.4 T-Jet Dynamic boast sport-biased, five-speed manual 'boxes to capitalise on the clout of the new engine. Top speed is 195km/h and 0 to 100km/h acceleration takes 8.9 seconds while consumption is 6.6l/100 km in the combined cycle and CO2 emissions measure 155g/km.

The current economic climate has spawned the return of the tried and tested 1242cc Fire engine which, tweaked for reduced fuel consumption, makes its comeback in the three-door Fiat Grande Punto Active. Married to a five-speed manual 'box, the engine delivers 49kW at 5500rpm and takes the car to a top speed of 155km/h. Torque is 102Nm at 3000rpm while consumption is 6.1l/100km in the combined cycle.

Nip and tuck

Although the Grande Punto range received a facelift little over a year ago, the new car now has new upholstery and colours, and different shades and surface treatments for the facia. The instrument panel is also new, featuring chrome rings.

In terms of spec, the entry-level three-door 1.2 Active, for example, boasts dual front airbags, ABS with EBD, remote central locking, power steering, front electric windows/mirrors and a trip computer.

The five-door 1.4 T-Jet Dynamic adds air conditioning, a six-speaker audio system with steering controls, a height-adjustable driver?s seat, rear headrests, six airbags, ESP incorporating traction control and Hill Holder, colour-coded door handles and mirrors as well as 15-inch alloys.

The range-topping three-door 1.4 T-Jet Sport throws in centre amrest, front foglamps, auto-locking doors, side skirts, rear spoiler, leather steering wheel and gear knob, and 17-inch alloys.

Options range from sport decals to a rain sensor.

Fiat Grande Punto Model Year 2009 has 30 000km service intervals and comes with a three-year 100 000km warranty (three years on paintwork and five years on rust anti-perforation) as well as a five-year 90 000km service plan. The new models are covered by the AA Fleetcare roadside assistance for 12 months.

Pricing: Fiat Grande Punto
1.2 three-dr Active MY2009: R116 000
1.4 five-dr Active MY2009: R124 550
1.4 five-dr Dynamic 16v MY2009: R152 500
1.4 T-Jet five-dr Dynamic MY 2009: R171 900
1.4 T-Jet three-dr Sport MY2009: R179 900