Fiat has reintroduced the Sporting trim level to the Punto range to meet consumer demand, although it won’t have the higher-powered engines of past versions.

The name has been missing from the Punto since the model dropped the ‘Evo’ suffix, but as part of revisions across the range Sporting has been brought back at the cost of TwinAir and Lounge, which have been deleted. The TwinAir engine will continue to be available in Easy and GBT-spec cars.

However sporting the name, though, the most powerful engine available in the new version will be 103bhp, in the shape of a lightly-turbocharged 1.4 petrol. A 77bhp normally-aspirated 1.4 is a cheaper option.

Standard equipment includes a body-coloured rear spoiler and side skirts, a gloss black painted roof, specific ‘Sporting’ dark headlamps, gloss black electrically adjustable heated door mirrors, front fog lights with cornering function, dark tinted privacy glass, chrome exhaust tailpipe and 16-inch seven-spoke two-tone black Sportline alloy wheels.

On the inside there’s a special ‘Tarmac finish’ dashboard, a black interior roof lining and leather trim for the gear knob, handbrake lever and steering wheel.

Prices for the Sporting start at £12,355 and rise to £13,955 before options.

“Fiat’s Punto has always been a popular choice in the supermini segment,” says Elena Bernardelli, marketing director, Fiat UK.

“This popularity is set to continue as the revised Punto range offers customers a stylish, safe, fun to drive package with enhanced levels of specification, wider choice and outstanding value-for-money.”

Elsewhere in the range, Easy and GBT models have also been enhanced with upgraded, more sculpted fabric seats, front fog lights with cornering function, interior ambient lighting and side airbags as standard. GBT cars also sport 16-inch seven-spoke two-tone Sportline alloy wheels, replacing the previous 15-inch versions.