Motoring with Ross Kiddie | Canterbury News | Local News in Canterbury

A recent telephone call caught me at a point of low concentration and I unwittingly agreed to take part in a survey.

Ordinarily, I give surveys a wide berth, but the student at the other end said he was looking for people in the more mature age group, evidently, that's where I fit. He was working on a thesis which included a study of 1970s influences.

Questions such as political, spiritual, and cultural factors which were supposed to have shaped my life were rather difficult, but others were easy ? music and automobiles ? Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Led Zeppelin and The Eagles were my quick music choices, and as for cars, Fiat played a large part of my driving experiences through that period.

I still look back at my early Fiats with affection, they were characterised by design flair and unorthodox engineering practices, their engines were pioneers in advanced design and their performance was outstanding given that displacement in those days wasn't large.

Today Fiat still adhere to those traditions, they make mostly small-to-medium cars for the masses and, given that petrol in Europe has always been relatively expensive, they are generally small engine, fuel-thrifty models.

However, every now and then Fiat throw a sporty little equation into the mix, they still pop out the occasional Abarth model, and in the case of the recently facelifted Punto a three-door Sporting variant sits in the line-up.

It lists at $25,990 and is only available in one form, that being a 1.4-litre model with a six-speed manual gearbox.

It takes on the fresh new look I detailed when I evaluated the heavily facelifted HLX model in these columns in November.

The Punto Sporting's engine is built much like that of my old 125, it has twin-camshafts up top, but instead of two valves per cylinder and being 1.6-litre, the Punto has 16-valves and 1.4-litre. It is an engine completely machine built.

For its small capacity, the power output is substantial with 70kW at the top end and 128Nm of torque. Where the power and torque figures peak is very interesting, peak power is produced at 5800rpm, while maximum torque is available just 1300rpm below this.

However, there is good flexibility at all speeds as well as offering fluid throttle response. In conjunction with the low ratios of the six-speeder, the Sporting has lively acceleration and performance given its engine size.

According to Fiat's promotional literature, the Punto Sporting can accelerate from a standstill to 100kmh in 9.6sec, and will reach a top speed of 178kmh. By my stopwatch 80-120kmh can be reached in 8sec in third gear.

On the subject of figures, cruising the 100kmh legal limit the engine is turning over at a brisk 3300rpm in fifth gear, while in top, the engine speed comes down to 2700rpm.

Throttle response is still decisive, the engine is enthusiastic all through the rev range with a rev limiter cutting in around 6500rpm; an almost constant growl accompanies its effort.

At 935kg, the Punto Sporting has a good power-to-weight ratio and the engine doesn't have to work very hard to offer good performance, a criteria which is matched by the capability of the chassis.

It is a car that offers entertaining motoring. The ride is firm but comfortable, its short wheelbase is noticeable on uneven roads, but not so much that it is bothersome.

Suspension up front is by MacPherson struts, while a torsion beam is utilised on the rear.

The Punto Sporting lives up to its name with its handling qualities. The body stays rigid on its underpinnings while stability and directional accuracy is outstanding.

Relatively low profile 185/55 x 15in Dunlop Sport tyres offer good grip, while communication back to the driver is decisive. Any hint of push offline is offset by the inclusion of an electronic traction and stability control programme, common to higher-priced Fiat models.

It includes Fiat's sophisticated anti-slip regulator, motor speed regulator and hill holder, complicated stability control systems that are too technical to describe in short, but they are there to keep the Punto tracking in the chosen direction when grip and stability are jeopardised.

These systems are all aligned to the ABS sensors and are a standard fitment on the Punto Sporting only, the HLX version misses out.

The supple nature of the chassis also contributes to a good in-cabin ride. Occupant comfort has been given a priority, and for a small car the space is excellent.

For three adults in the rear it would be pushing the comfort boundaries a little, but it can be achieved.

Three tall teenagers were seated there for a trip to the golf course, although the constricting nature of the three-door design does make entry and exit a challenge.

Up front the driver gets a height adjustable seat, and with a good range of fore and aft movement the Punto offers a safe seating environment for drivers of all heights.

The compact nature of the model is well disguised by good interior design. Metallic coloured plastics are utilised extensively on the facia, and the trimming stands out as a fashion statement, especially so in the bright yellow test car, the seats had flecked inserts the same colour, subdued, but nevertheless, a nice blend.

Everything about the Punto is made so that the occupants ? the driver in particular ? get a pleasurable motoring experience. The seats are comfortable and body hugging given their sporty construction. Vision all round is good and the nimble characteristics of the car means manoeuvrability is excellent.

A lovely leather-bound steering wheel and gearshift lever adds to sporty feel.

Fitment includes air conditioning, electric front windows, electric exterior mirror adjustment, tilt-adjustable steering column, remote central locking and nicely integrated single CD Blaupunkt audio.

For safety there are dual air bags, and three rear overshoulder seat belts.

Interestingly, the varying Fiat importers in this country have reduced greatly the number of Punto variants over the years. That's a bit sad really, for it is a mighty fine car, part of a huge legacy Fiat have in this country. It's my belief that with the way fuel prices have been spiralling upward, that cars like the Punto will come further into their own.

During my testing time the on board trip computer registered average usage figures of 6.4 litres per 100km (44mpg) with instantaneous recording of 5.5l/100km at a steady 100kmh in sixth gear (52mpg). For a car that has sporty overtones it still does its best to provide the efficiency now demanded, it mixes well fun with thrift.