Fiat Punto Evo 1.4 Multi-Air Hatchback Dynamic, Volkswagen Polo Sport 1.2 TSI (DSG) Review
Size Matters

The trend among some car manufacturers these days seem to be upsizing when they replace their existing supermini models. Take the Renault Clio as an example. The current version of the French supermini is so much bigger than the model it supersedes that it almost matches its Megane sibling in dimensions.

Another case in point is Peugeot with its 206 replacement, the 207. The same can be said of the Fiat Grande Punto when it replaced the Punto four years ago as well. It's grown so big over its predecessor that Fiat had to added a ‘Grande' to its name back then. The Grande Punto was recently updated and had its name changed once again, this time it sheds the Grande moniker to become the Punto Evo, to emphasize the point that it is a minor evolution of its successful predecessor.

In recent months, the Volkswagen Polo has taken centre stage in the supermini market. The Polo was initially launched with a 1.4-litre normally aspirated MPI engine but its solid Teutonic looks and image as well as its efficient DSG gearbox has drawn many towards the ‘baby Golf'. In recent months, Volkswagen has launched a new version of the Polo with a more modern TSI turbocharged motor dubbed the Polo Sport and this should widen the Polo's appeal even further.

The question we're asking here is can the updated Fiat supermini challenge the new version of the Volkswagen Polo in a head-to-head? The Punto Evo comes in several variants for Singapore but the most interesting one in the new line-up is the one with Fiat's new Multi-Air engine and this new motor makes exactly the same number of horses as the Polo Sport's turbo motor. Disappointingly, the Multi-Air engine is available only with a manual gearbox, two pedal Puntos continue to utilize the familiar 75bhp FIRE engine.