Remember the Fiat 127? Or the Uno? Or the original Punto?

The Italian marque has made something of a success of making superminis which offer value and style.

Now this tradition is continuing with the new Punto, the Punto Evo, a model designed to cash-in on our growing demand – and expectation – for small cars.

It has a hard act to follow. The 127 was Europe’s best-selling car after its launch in 1972. Uno was Europe’s car of the year in 1984, and also a best-seller.

The Punto was car-of-the-year in 1995 and has notched seven million sales. The latest version, Grande Punto, is still the fifth best-selling car in Europe and was credited with the renaissance of the Fiat brand.

Now the Punto Evo is here to carry on the tradition.

Grande Punto was hailed as a great car, offering style and good value, but the Evo moves the game. It’s bolder looking, better to drive and more lavishly equipped, which is important when you consider how this market is developing.

For example, it has Blue&Me, a system which allows finger-tip control of systems such as navigation, mobile phone, trip computer and MP3 player with steering wheel commands. It also allows Fiat’s groundbreaking eco:Drive system to be used. This is a software system which allows drivers to feed information from their car into a computer via a USB cable, and have their driving technique analysed.

They can receive an assessment of their skills and monitor their progress to becoming a more environmentally-friendly driver.

Another simple but effective idea is a system which monitors if the car is running low on fuel, and if so, directing you to the nearest garage via satellite navigation.

But this car’s launch is particularly noteworthy because it heralds the unleashing of two new ‘Ecotechnology’ engine line-ups – the MultiAir petrol family and MultiJet II diesels.

The Evo range comes with a choice of five units. Tested here is the 1.4 litre 77bhp petrol unit, but there two other 1.4s and two 1.3 litre diesel units. The diesels are notable for being refined and quiet, a big improvement on the previous Fiat diesels.

All are fitted with Start&Stop technology, a system which makes the engine cut out when it’s not needed, for example while waiting at traffic lights, but fires back into life when needed. It’s a very effective way of saving fuel.

Whichever engine you choose, you will have two chassis types and five trim levels to deliberate over. All the GP and exclusively three-door Sporting versions follow the Sport chassis philosophy, with racy on-road behaviour and more assertive looks. Three or five-door Comfort versions come in either Active, Dynamic or Eleganza trims, with a more elegant look and feel to them.

Even the entry level Active model features a generous standard equipment, including front driver, passenger and driver’s knee airbag, five seats, two rear head restraints, front electric windows, height and reach adjustable steering wheel, electric mirrors and Blue&Me ‘infotainment’. Owners can also choose from an extensive options list, and with a total of 22 versions to select from at launch – a 1.6 16v MultiJet 120bhp version joins the range in October – customers will find plenty to interest them in the new Punto Evo range.

Inside, the Punto has been heavily improved. Hard angles have been abandoned and replaced with softer, curvier lines that appear plush and elegant, giving a cosier, more comfortable atmosphere.

It’s a very pleasing car to drive, full of verve and quality.

FIAT PUNTO EVO 1.4 8V PRICE: £10,995. The range spans £10,995 to £15,295.

ENGINE: A 1,368cc, four-cylinder unit which generates 77bhp.

PERFORMANCE: Top speed 103mph, 0 to 60mph in 13.2 seconds.

COSTS: urban (town) 38.2mpg; extra-urban (country) 60.1mpg; combined 49.6mpg.

EMISSIONS: 127g/km.

WARRANTY: Three years, 60,000 miles.