AFTER a period in the relative doldrums during the earlier part of this decade, Fiat continues to go from strength to strength, picking up awards aplenty along the way.

The Turin car giant has always had a penchant for producing small cars of excellence - think 127, Uno and Punto, for example, and the latest small Fiat to hit the showrooms is the Punto Evo.

Heading up the new facelifted Punto range, the Evo has been created to move the game on, carrying a host of innovations including some eye catching restyling outside, ergonomically improved and redesigned seating inside.

There's also five engines from which to choose - three petrol and two diesels - all of which conform to Fiat's low average emissions philosophy with benefits to drivers' pockets and the environment.

There are five generously kitted out trim levels to choose from, Active, Dynamic, Eleganza, GP and Sporting with the entry level Activ model featuring a good level of standard kit which includes the likes of electric front windows, remote central locking, Dualdrive electric power steering, electric and heated door mirrors, driver friendly Blue&Me telematics system, radio and CD player with MP3 and even that great driver safety aid, steering wheel mounted controls.

Driven here is the three door Fiat Punto Evo GP which proved to be surprisingly roomy, the redesigned seating being comfortably supportive while a new range of innovative materials give a totally new and quality feel to an interior which has been created with a great deal of thought in mind.

The driver's seat is fully adjustable and the dash features larger dials for the speedo and rev counter which sit within a nicely shaded new cowl.

The instrument panel also features some electronic chicanery in a gear shift indicator which not only advises drivers on when to change to a higher or lower gear but also gives a real time indication of fuel consumption.

So if you want to be privy to the environmental impact of your own driving style, watch the space as the system helps you, via the GSI, to correctly handle gear changes and control of the throttle.

Powered by a surprisingly frisky 1.3-litre turbo diesel engine paired with a smooth slotting six-speed gearbox and delivering 75bhp this is one environmentally friendly small diesel which succeeds at both ends of the spectrum, realising emissions under 110g/km and fuel economies in excess of 60mpg, which is good news, whether your are a family man or a mere environmentalist.

A further boost to the car's environmental credentials is provided by Fiat's version of the Start&Stop system.

This clever piece of kit automatically turns off the engine when traffic conditions call for a halt and the gear lever is placed in neutral.

While at a standstill the normal on-board functions, such as climate control, sound system and windscreen wiper operation, continue to work before the driver presses the clutch pedal to engage a gear and the engine immediately restarts.

While the GP model housed a slightly firmer suspension set-up to match its sportier reputation the ride proved much more comfortable than expected and, while perhaps not quite so dynamic as some contemporaries, the Evo GP handled well, produced very little body roll and the new-look exterior certainly caught the eye of a number of bystanders.