FIAT celebrated a great return to form when its new Grande Punto received a richly deserved Autocar magazine Design Award 2006.

In its award citation, Autocar commented: "Grande Punto was an instant hit.

"Building on the Panda's progress, it brought one of the fastest turnarounds on record to Fiat Auto - and more than anything, it was the Grande Punto's design that made the difference.

"Chuck in some funky interiors, decent quality, the usual excellent packaging and keen prices, and you have the desired blockbuster."

The Grande Punto range starts at £7,989 for the 1.2 Activ three-door hatch, rising to £12,695 for the 1.9 litre Multijet 120 Eleganza five-door diesel hatchback.

Strong on safety, they all have done well in the Euro NCAP crash protection ratings with five stars for adult occupant safety, three stars for child occupants and three for pedestrian safety.

There are 1.2 and 1.4 litre petrol engines, yet as so often is the case these days the diesels are the powerplants for performance as well as economy.

There are three diesels of 1.3 and 1.9 litres and varying outputs for the three-door, with 70, 95 and 130hp, the 1.9 Multijet 130 Sporting being the flagship of the three-doors.

It cracks 0-60mph in 9.5sec and has 124mph potential and yet an insurance rating of just Group 6.

Economy is the name of the game and even this Sporting version has a combined cycle economy figure of 48.7mpg - little different to the 1.2 and 1.4 petrol versions.

Topping the frugality league are the 1.3 diesels with more than 62mpg on the combined cycle.

The equipment levels are high, with power steering, central locking, electric mirrors and front windows, stereo RDS radio/CD player and dual airbags standard on the Activ versions.

Raising the specifications, the Dynamic and Sporting versions add alloy wheels, air conditioning and split/fold rear seat.

The Eleganza specification adds electronic stability program, climate control instead of aircon, plus rear parking sensor and a wide variety of options.

Running costs are kept down by 18,000-mile service intervals and there is the reassurance of a three-year/60,000-mile warranty.