Re: Fiat Linea & Punto 2012 Models - Now Launched Did a Punto Test Drive Yesterday. Drove a distance of approximately 6 km and below are my observations (Comparisons, if any, are with my 2009 Punto and Figo which I TDed Recently) Interiors
1. I entered inside the car and the first thing I noticed was that it felt a bit more roomier. Reason - Removal of black contours from the seats. The all grey seats + grey roof gives a sense of extra space than what actually is existing. The texture of the seats have changed as well. Personally, I prefer the all black interiors of my erstwhile Punto, but the new theme isn't bad either.
2. The dash is tightly screwed and I couldn't notice any panel gaps. The design remains the same, looks good but something new would have been better. But when it is compared with the competition, it definitely looks better than a lot of other cars. Exteriors
1. The increase in GC is evident. The car now looks really big now. I did not check the front profile, but the side profile looks good without any aberration.
2. With a slightly bigger looks, I've fallen in love with the car all over again. NVH & Sound Insulation
1. I cranked the engine and noticed that the feable diesel clatter that used to exist is insulated now. Good! But on hard acceleration you hear the engine growl. Not Bad! The sound is really very sporty. I think it was intentional from Fiat to leave it like that.
2. One thing that I loved in my Punto was the external noise insulation inside the cabin. The 2012 has just gotten better at that. Drive a Punto and then drive a Figo and Swift you will be really surprised to know how well the Punto insulates the outside world's noise. Music System
Just one word - Bad! Variant and feature distribution
Fiat should have continued the existing active variant with erstwhile features. For extra 40,000Rs I'm just getting a crappy music system and Central Locking. Hike your prices Fiat, Yes! But not when your cars are not selling well. Performance
1. I was eagerly expecting a change in the gear ratios, especially a better second gear. But I'm dissapointed, there is an improvement but still not in a way I want it to be. One of the reasons is the slight turbo lag and the other being the old gear box + long clutch combination.
2. Once the turbo lag is overcome, the car thrusts forward visciously. The power delivery is not as linear as in a Figo, so if you expect it to behave like a Figo in city, you will be dissapointed. Ride & Handling
I couldn't test the handling part in my 6km TD, but my mom commented that while travelling in a Figo she felt like travelling in an Auto Rickshaw but only in Punto she felt like travelling in a car. Btw, she is a Punto fan! :o) External Build
Is there a competition here? The car is built like a vault. Gives an indestructable feeling, especially after driving the Figo and the Swift. I always believe that a sturdy car with good dynamics is a lot safer than a car with 6 air bags, filmsy build and poor dynanics, Punto just takes this belief higher by one more level. So will I go for a Punto again?
I think overall as a package there is no still competition to Punto even after a sleuth of launches. Here is a short observation on each of the cars.
1. Figo - Priced right and drove really well. But the immense sense of safety that I get in Punto is missing. Money is important but not at the cost of life!
2. Swift - I always believed that a Swift is overpriced by a Lakh. The new Swift makes it even worse. Stonker performance, but with tin can build, I don't want to risk my life especially considering the increasing number of accidents on Indian roads. Being a highway mile muncher doesn't help either.
3. Vista - A Tata product! I think I will take at least 20 more years to even consider a Tata car.
4. Polo - Priced attrociosly for a 3pot engine. But still people are buying it. Still couldn't understand the rationale.
5. i20 - No! Read my comment above on External Build for Punto.
So after a Punto, will I buy a Punto again? Yes, provided my financials permit.
Last edited by CliffHanger : 10th January 2012 at 16:10.
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