You can’t argue with the facts: Fiat’s new Grande Punto Series II flagship, the 1.4 T-Jet in three-door Sport and five-door Dynamic outfit, is officially SA’s best performance car in the sub-R180K to R220K bracket; it’s also the only one in that category that can boast a turbo-petrol powerplant.

Fiat’s revitalised Grande Punto line-up offers three new petrol variants, the most exciting being the aforementioned T-Jets. The newcomers essentially top ‘n tail the range: the fizzy 88 kW 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.

In its Grande Punto application, the T-Jet delivers a maximum power output of 88 kW at 5000 rpm and peak torque of 206 Nm, with an amazing 200 Nm already available at about 1700 rpm. Both the three-door 1.4 T-Jet Sport and the five-door 1.4 T-Jet Dynamic boast sport-biased, 5-speed manual boxes to capitalise on the clout of the new engine. Elasticity is outstanding, which means fewer gear changes and an enjoyable, relaxed drive, but if you want a gutsier response, you only have to put your foot down. This result is achieved thanks to the low inertia of the turbocharger which delivers the best performance in response to the accelerator. The smooth acceleration enhances the ‘enjoyable drive’, generating the performance of a true sports car, with a top speed of 195 km/h and 0 to 100 km/h acceleration in just 8.9 seconds. Yet consumption remains low: just 6.6 l/100 km in the combined cycle and reduced CO2 emissions (155 g/km). The computerised engine control system manages all functions using sophisticated calculation algorithms. The accelerator control is of the 'drive-by-wire' type, without mechanical connections, so that the driver can obtain the relaxed or sporty response he wants from the engine, without wasting energy.

The current economic climate has spawned the return of the tried and tested 1242 cc Fire engine which makes its comeback in the three-door Fiat Grande Punto Active with a number of refinements designed to make it a champion of thriftiness where consumption is concerned, but without detracting from performance. Married to a five-speed manual box, the engine delivers 49 kW at 5500 rpm and takes the car to a top speed of 155 km/h. That’s not all. With the 1.2 8v engine, the new car has very low fuel consumption, among the best in its category. The merit goes to the engine configuration, which aims to achieve generous torque at very low revs (with benefits in terms of enjoyment and elasticity), and to the ratios chosen to optimise the balance between performance and consumption. The result is torque of 10.4 kgm (102 Nm) at 3000 rpm and consumption of 7.5 l/100 km (urban cycle), 4.9 l/100 km (out of town) and 5.9 l/100 (combined cycle).

In terms of spec, the Grande Punto is no shrinking violet. Despite its entry-level status, the three-door 1.2 Active for example, boasts such niceties as 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 chips even with even more kit including 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 gets the ‘Full Monty’ treatment with the following items over-and-above the 1.4 T-Jet Dynamic: centre amrest, front foglamps, auto-locking doors, side skirts, rear spoiler, leather steering wheel and gear knob, and 17-inch alloys.

A whole host of options are available, ranging from sport decals to a rain sensor.