FIAT IS PREPARING a new face for its volume-selling Punto hatchback, as these recently-shot spy photos show.

Although camouflaged, Fiat’s test mule hints at new headlamp clusters sporting new lenses and jewelery, with a blacked-out housing in place of the regular silver one. The bumper now features a stronger jawline and the foglights have moved further inboard.

The Fiat badge has also migrated, moving from the upper grille to sit atop the front bumper’s grille surround.

Unfortunately, Fiat has also gone to the trouble of masking up the mule’s rump, effectively obscuring the changes there.

It appears however that the numberplate recess has migrated south, although we’ll have to wait until the wrapping comes off before we can be certain.

With the current car’s sheetmetal carrying over unchanged, the 2010 Fiat Punto can be expected to be a mild styling upgrade on the current model.

There’s no word yet on any alterations to powertrains or transmission options, however all should be revealed within the next few months.

GALLERY » 2010 Fiat Punto Spy Photos