The milestone of the unification of Italy is especially significant as the declaration took place in Fiat's hometown and the 150th anniversary fell last Thursday (17th March). The giant domestic carmaker is one of the key sponsors of the series of events that are being run and is supplying a fleet of vehicles that are set to be used during the celebrations.

The unification of Italy took place in 1861, after the wars that were waged against the Austrians had concluded and once Garibaldi's expedition to Sicily was completed; it meant the long period of political and military fights leading Italy on the path to unification were finally over. On the 17th March of that year national unity was proclaimed in Turin which became the first capital city of Italy. During the Risorgimento, the city took in the exiles from all over the country. They had developed a common unitarian aspiration and here they designed the political strategy that would result into the unification of the country. Therefore, the new history of Italy, independent and united, initiated from Turin on the 17th March one and a half centuries ago.

The city would be the capital for four years until 1865, when the seat of government moved to Florence. Rome became the final capital city, in 1871, when the unification of the country was fully completed. In 1911 and 1961, on the occasion of the fiftieth anniversary and the centennial of national unification Turin again became the heart of the country: the lavish celebrations taking place there for the two anniversaries drew over 6 million visitors each.

The Punto 150° is basically a Punto Evo specified to the new "MyLife" standard equipment level with commemorative logos attached to the B-pillars and finished in a metallic blue, dubbed "Azzurro Italia", although it is not clear if this is a new body colour as it appears from the images released by Fiat to be very similar to a blue hue already available on the Punto range. The MyLife features that come as standard on the Punto 150° include climate control, radio with CD/MP3 player, fog lights and the Punto Evo's standard alloy wheels. There are four engine options offered, two petrol units: 1.2-litre with 69 CV and 1.4-litre with 77 CV as well as the robust turbodiesel 1.3-litre Multijet II 16v with 75 CV. Finally the 70 CV 1.4 "dual fuel" (petrol/methane) engine option is included. Pricing starts at 9,900 euros for the Punto 150° 1.2 69 CV.

The Punto 150° will be on sale from April to late June across the Italian Fiat dealer network. Fiat is also supplying a fleet of 50 vehicles to the celebrations with the first batch of 10 being ceremonially handed over last week at the Mirafiori Motor Village dealership in Turin. The fleet is made up of 40 cars (split between Fiat's 500 and Punto Evo as well as Lancia's Delta) and 10 Fiat Ducato minibuses.