The new 2012 Fiat Punto maintains the model's instantly recognisable and dynamic shape but it's been made even more elegant and characterful thanks to a host of detail changes, inside and out.

Outside

The most noticeable of these modifications is a new front bumper. To ensure the exterior look of the car reflects the cutting edge technology inside, it blends the strong points of the 2005 Grande Punto's design with those of the 2009 Punto Evo. Whether in three or five door, the new bumper gives the front an elegant look, aided by being painted the same colour as the rest of the car. The two air intakes are split by the number plate but enclosed in a single trapezium-shaped perimeter. The direction indicators remain on either side of the number plate with headlights above, the round fog lights with cornering function are located within the lower air intake.

All models have a black grille with a hexagonal mesh pattern. This makes the grille stand out from the rest of the car giving the new Fiat Punto's appearance a more technical and sporty feel. The body coloured front bumper also helps the Fiat badge stand out more prominently than before.

At the rear the Fiat badge now doubles as the door lock: push it and the tailgate opens. The Punto logo sits beneath it in the centre and has a red dot in the same colour as the Fiat badge. As at the front, the rear bumper has been redesigned to be the same colour as the rest of the car. Beneath it the rear fog and reversing lights have been elongated and integrated into the surrounding surface.

New-look wheels and colours complete the makeover. The 15-inch alloys have a new design and there are three new metallic bodywork colours. The TwinAir name denotes a new trim level which has a dedicated colour, Unplugged Green, with a glossy black roof available as an option.

Inside

To go with the smart new appearance outside, brand new fabrics on the seats and dashboard have been used inside to give the 2012 Fiat Punto a fresher, more youthful look. Fabric with electro-welded patches to facilitate ventilation in hot weather and even a Sportex material with a hexagonal pattern similar to the front grille are available. There are also new soft touch coverings available on the dashboard.

Trims

The entry level Pop model has been designed to be an accessible, simple and functional way into Punto ownership. Even so, it's still very well equipped, coming with stylish Spicy Grey interiors complete with fabric seats that have red stitching on them, height and reach-adjustable steering wheel, height-adjustable driver's seat, trip computer, remote central locking, electric front windows, driver, passenger and window airbags, radio, CD and MP3 player, rear head restraints and ABS anti-lock braking.

The mid-range Easy and GBT trim levels offer an exceptional price to equipment ratio. Designed to embody a combination of style and technology, their dashboard has black Diamond inserts and the seats feature embellishments in one of three colours which contrast with the charcoal interior elsewhere. On top of the equipment in the Pop the Easy has as standard manual air-conditioning, driver knee airbag, leather covered steering wheel and gear lever knob, a rear bench that splits 60/40, darkened headlights, body-coloured electrically adjustable heated door mirrors, body-coloured door handles and 15-inch Comfortline alloy wheels.

The GBT version has the same specification as the Easy, but with 15-inch Sportline alloy wheels, darkened privacy glass, sports suspension and body coloured rear spoiler and side skirts.

Top of the range is represented by the elegant and sporty Lounge model. This has 15-inch Sportline alloy wheels, front fog lights with cornering function, the Skydome electric sun roof, chrome-plated exhaust pipe, sculpted Castiglio fabric seats, automatic dual-zone climate control, front arm rest, ESP, electric rear windows on the five door, ambient lighting inside and Blue&Me with Bluetooth plus USB and Aux inputs.

To emphasise the unique, innovative and cheeky personality of the TwinAir model it gets its own trim. Exterior details such as the door mirrors and pillars are gloss black while the 15-inch alloy wheels also get a glossy diamond finish. The darkened burnished headlights and a special TwinAir logo complete its identification.

In addition to its unique Unplugged Green paint, most of the other 12 shades of the Punto range are also available with a gloss black roof in TwinAir spec. Inside, the seat upholstery is grey Sportex fabric complete with the TwinAir logo embossed on the front headrests while the soft touch fascia has the black Diamond finish. In addition to the same equipment as the Easy, it also features darkened privacy glass and front fog lights with a cornering function.

With the new model, Fiat Punto owners will be able personalise like never before. To create a car that's truly made to measure there are a total of 13 body colours, five trim levels, seven types of interior upholstery, 11 types of stylish alloy wheel and a host of other accessories. The result is an infinite number of combinations for owners to give their Punto a unique touch.