Quote:
Originally Posted by sidindica  Out of all the small cars in the lower b segment( i10 included), this car seriously has the best performance in this category. Just dab the throttle and the engine responds so instantly that it makes drives enjoyable and overtaking a breeze. simply the easiest and stress free car to drive for Delhi roads.
engine oil used: mobil 1 synthetic.
Steering feel:
absolutely delightful. compared to wagon-r, zen stilo and even spark which feels overlight and disconnected, this feels connected the wheels and secure at high speeds.
highway stability:
contrary to magazines' reports concerning the car's por stability on highway, many times i touched 145 at greater noida expressway and if driven with full concentraton and eyes wide open on the road, it feels absouletely stable and secure with no road noise.
tyres: stock goodyear GPS-2 tube type. |
Very well written and accurate review. I can back up this experience even on my old Santro, with 1-lit engine. A great little car for Indian road conditions.
Just this Friday as I entered Khandala tunnel on the way to Mumbai on the Expressway, I cut to the left and prepared to overtake an Indica taxi on the right lane, which is usually a very routine affair. But this time the Indica guy decides to challenge my overtake attempt and tries to prevent me from getting to the right lane in front of him, as there was a lorry in my path on the left lane towards the end of the tunnel. We both accelerated and as we approached the sharp left just after the exit of the tunnel, I smiled and kept my car at close to 100 kmph (a cinch, since I have done the same curve at even ~120 kmph in the past). Sure enough, the Indica guy lost his nerve and slowed down. My Santro cuts to the right lane with nonchallant ease in front of the Indica, and takes the sharp left while overtaking the lorry without slowing down at all. The Indica guy will think twice before trying this stunt again on a Santro. In fact many a sedan/SUV/elite hatch driver on the Mumbai-Pune route will remember my old Santro wtih respect, especially in the Lonawala ghats.
And yes, magazine reports and reviews on car forums give a wrong impression of this car's handling. If tyre pressures are accurately set and with proper wheel balancing/alignment, this car's handling is just superb. I strongly recommend alloy wheels and tubeless tyres. In heavy rain, I have pushed my old Santro to more or less full speed (140+ kmph) on the Mumbai-Pune Expresssway. Not even a hint of a skid, even on curving stretches.