Today Fiat unveiled facelifted version of the Punto supermini. The most interesting change is the two-cylinder MultiAir turbocharged gasoline engine. It’s the same unit used in Fiat’s 500 and Panda, producing 85HP and 145 Nm of torque at 2,000 rpm.

The engine’s technical characteristics and the use of a six-speed gearbox offer performance comparable to poweplants with a bigger displacement, but with lower CO2 emissions. The driver can also choose between “normal” and “eco” driving modes by pushing the ECO button on the dashboard, depending on whether he wants full power or a more fuel-efficient drive.

As variant, he 2012 Fiat Punto gets a second-generation 1.3-liter 16-valve Multijet turbodiesel with 85HP and 200 Nm of torque at just 1,500 rpm. It introduces two new CO2-reducing technologies: Intelligent Alternator, which recharges the battery during engine cut-off, and Intelligent Flow that features a variable displacement oil pump and an optimized cooling circuit.

Fiat also reshuffled the MY 2012 Punto lineup which now comprises of three trim levels, Pop, Easy and Lounge for all engines, plus a dedicated trim level for the TwinAir with a grey and black interior.

Fiat introduced a facelifted version of the Grande Punto at the autoshow in Frankfurt. The new Punto, called Evo, gains a restyled front-end with a new bumper design that brings it closer to the 500 along with tweaked front and rear light clusters as well as a reworked rear bumper. These changes “stretched” the car’s length to 4,060mm.

The upgrades in the cabin are more noticeable as the dashboard, seats and instrument panel have been given a thoroughly restyled look that borrows from the C-segment Bravo hatch.

The 2010 FIAT Punto Evo will gets an updated range of petrol engines equipped with the MultiAir technology that uses a new electrohydraulic valve management system to reduce fuel consumption by controlling air directly via the inlet valves without using the throttle.

Prices are expected to be announced in the second half of October.