Use the scroll buttons on the right to view the images

Fiat's launch of the Punto Evo must rank as one of the most daring and dramatic vehicle unveilings in the past few years.

From the cargo hold of a helicopter resting on the deck of the Cavour, an aircraft carrier and new flagship of the Italian Navy, out drove two Puntos to strut their stuff in front of the international media.

The conference venue itself was built inside the Cavour's hangar and ? with media and guests present - raised to the 220-metre-long runway deck by a massive lifting platform that normally hoists aircraft and helicopters.

What followed on the 34-metre-wide deck was a "car ballet routine" that ended with the vehicles screeching to a halt in front of journalists. The following day, the vehicles were offloaded on the shore for a drive around Italy's La Spezia coastline.

Fiat stresses that the Punto Evo's "technological excellence" is in its broad range of Euro 5 engines, which include the second-generation 1.3-litre MultiJet and 1.4-litre MultiAir. This technology will eventually be used in all Fiat Group engines, the company says.

The new Punto Evo offers a start-and-stop system that temporarily switches off the engine when the car is stationary.

The 'Blue&Me-TomTom' infotainment system is a new addition to the cabin. The system has a colour touch-screen for managing phone calls, satellite navigation and driving information, which is downloaded from on-board computer systems.

Apart from what are now almost standard safety systems ? ABS, electronic brakeforce distribution and electronic stability program ? the new model has seven crash bags, with a driver knee bag as standard. The Punto also has a hill start system that prevents it from rolling backwards when driving off from an inclined stop and cornering lights that are automatically activated.

The cabin has also been completely revamped.

The Fiat Punto Evo is set to launch in South Africa by the second quarter of 2010.