New Fiat Grande Punto out now

New and improved for summer 2008, the Fiat Grande Punto’s second coming is set to shake things up still further in the highly contested B-Segment market, by offering a five year unlimited mileage warranty and manufacturer-bespoke Blue&Me infotainment system.

That’s alongside the all-new ‘GP’ variant and the promotion of Fiat’s acclaimed 1.4-litre 8V power plant that will bring new, low levels of exhaust emissions and fuel consumption to the Active and Dynamic spec Grande Puntos.

The cheapest new Grande Punto will ask nothing more of the buyer than £9,200 for the now entry-level Active 1.4-litre 8V three-door, whilst the top ranging Sport 1.9-litre Multijet 130 five-door, will leave you little change from £14,500. £175 to pedants out there.

The all-new Grande Punto GP model consigns the Active Sport to the annals of Fiat history, and in its place we discover a new found sportiness. New darker headlights, fog lights, rear spoiler and larger 16” rims aims it squarely at the youth market, as although it more than looks the insurance-crippling part on the surface, scratching it reveals the latest premium-friendly 1.4-litre 8V, 1.4-litre 16V petrol engines, alongside the 1.3-litre 16V Multijet diesel.

Revamped Grande Punto connects with younger drivers

Staying on the topic of youth, it’s the introduction of Fiat’s much-trumpeted Blue&Me on-board entertainment system across the entire new range of Grande Punto that’s become the main talking point as the Italian car manufacturer continues to carve out a niche for itself amongst the next generation of supermini buyers.

In fact, it could be said that the new Fiat Grande Punto is seeking the attention of the attention seekers by focusing on lifestyle, and incorporating it into the Grande Punto and its driver’s everyday.

Because it’s a recognized fact that the Youtube generation have the average attention spans of a goldfish, Fiat has though of a new and exciting (for 2 minutes) way of reeling in punters for its revised Grande Punto.

Blue&Me is all about having fun behind the wheel whilst in public places – legally – whilst allowing drivers to keep their eyes and ears on the road ahead.

Fiat believes that by offering all these new-fangled devices on board will eliminate the need for drivers from looking away from the road – however momentarily - and their hands from the all-important steering wheel, should they wish to make and receive phone calls, source, locate and programme their music, and anything else potentially distracting while on the move.

Voice recognition and steering wheel-mounted controls is the key, if not the secret, and media compatibility-wise the Blue&Me works in conjunction with MP3, WMA, WAV and just about anything else with a USB port.

Of course Blue&Me has its technological limitations. Ensuring the driver doesn’t nod off, take the wrong exit, (providing they’ve woken up in time) remind them to put their seatbelt on, e-mail the office, walk the dog and put the clocks forward being too much of an ask. As is being reliably informed by your new Fiat Grande Punto as to when you’re too close to the car in front, the cyclist alongside or the huge crater blown in the road ahead. But you’re young, you’ll notice these things.

New Fiat Grande Punto can be customised

Continuing this young buck theme, the introduction of three new exterior colours play up to the demographic when confronted with Rap Yellow, HillBilly Azure and Ska Red. Bolero Red, New Wave Blue, Caribbean Orange and Psychedelic Azure make way for these inclusions as victims of a fast moving scene.

And what better to top all this new Grande Punto funkiness off then decals. Ahh. Cue music stopping. Carrying on from where the oh-so-trendy Fiat 500 left off, driver personalisation stickers have been ordered and are available as the following for the new Grande Punto; Italian flag side stripe, chequered finish side stripe and bonnet and roof striping. Door mirrors too can be finished off in white, steel grey, chrome or black.

Dare we say it that perhaps feeling peeved by the Fiat 500 attracting so many admiring glances in the youth market, the New Grande Punto is trying too hard to be down with the slightly older kids? It’s pretty hip to be square after all…