Frankfurt 2009: Fiat Punto Evo gets re-hatched
by Noah Joseph on Sep 16th 2009 at 5:30AM 
Fiat Punto Evo – Click above for high-res image gallery
Ah, the Fiat Punto: never quite what it pretends to be. Supposedly designed to look like a Maserati in hatchback form, the existing model was called the Grande Punto when it was anything but. And now the Italian automaker has launched an updated version and dropped the Grande tag for the vaunted name Evo... for a budget hatchback. Set aside the aspirational naming scheme, though, and what you have is a strong-selling vehicle that's put Fiat back on the map.
Visually, the updated Punto Evo gets new bumpers and lights front and rear, a new grille, and a handful of modern touches. Under the hood, Fiat Powertrain Technologies has slotted in its latest MultiAir engine range (showcased in the MiTo Quadrifoglio Verde), while the interior has been extensively updated to the inclusion of a new Blue&Me infotainment system developed with Microsoft and Tom Tom.
While the new Punto Evo hardly ranks among the myriad of European hatchbacks which – Chrysler or no Chrysler – we wish would make the journey across the Atlantic, it's sure to flood the streets abroad in no time. We stopped by to have a look and snap some photos of the new model and the models adorning it at Fiat's comically childish show stand here in Frankfurt, which you can check out in the gallery below.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
David 8:10AM (9/16/2009)
Looks fantastic! I wish every car had bumpers like those. They are so suitable for "city life", where people parallel park into your front and rear bumpers on a daily basis, savaging them over time.
I'd take this car on that point alone, but I like how it looks a great deal, and it would do extremely well in North America if they have the sense to sell it here (AS IS!).
We really don't have that many choices in this segment that are worthy of any consideration.
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rickhamilton620 9:05AM (9/16/2009)
Meh, I thought the pre-facelift version looked better. :)
artandcolour 10:19AM (9/16/2009)
interestingly, with that new silver bar anchoring the Fiat badge, the car is starting to look like an older Chrysler Sebring or Concorde from the front to me... just saying.
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Gagarin 12:42AM (9/18/2009)
cross-eyed facial expression. otherwise very nice looking car. i like little triangular corners of the side windows. much better looking then black plastic insertions on most other cars
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Autochart 3:32AM (10/10/2009)
Looked way better before. It looks a bit Chinese now. Still, it looks meaner so an Abarth should look OK.
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