Well, it’s been a wonderful and ecstatic 4 month journey with my red Viva CRDi, I treated her well and she too reciprocated back real nicely and hope this affair goes on for a long time.
I drove on a pretty mixed city and highway conditions and I just cannot stop getting amazed at its highway performance. I feel it’s a real pity driving in city as you need to really control the urge to pedal the metal. This car feels absolutely at home on highways and its power (Awesome), ride (Good) and handling (Good) is proven on highways. Overtaking is absolute joy and many times I mentally smile by thinking of the look of disbelief of other drivers when I overtake them and disappear within a few seconds from their sight
Over this period, I have continuously tested this car on all aspects throwing the worst at it and it just comes back stronger.
Performance
Power is available in all gears and due to its short throwing gearshift, it’s a pleasure to throw it in fast shifts and never miss a gear. Had some problems initially when reverse wasn’t working that well, now it’s perfectly fine.
I feel the power is really peak in 3rd gear and the stab in the back that you get is mind boggling and the same punch is sometimes felt in 4th gear as well.
Handling
I have taken many dangerous curves at high speeds to test its handling and was amazed to feel that I am gripped to my seat like glue and this improves if you have some passengers but may not be its best if driving alone.
Ride
I also drove over some real rough patches on a few highway drives to test its ride and results are not too bad. There is definitely some uncomfortable ness when the road vibrations are transmitted but, it ain’t that bad too
I am giving this feedback in a similarly simplistic way as a fellow tbhpian:-
Details on usage
3.75 months old,
Odometer Reading
6100KMS
Daily
Approximately 30km
Weekends
100km-150km
Out-Station Trips till date
HYD-GULBARGA-HYD
550KM
HYD-GOA-HYD
2300KM
HYD-NAGARJUNSAGAR-HYD
330KM
HYD-BASAR-HYD
420KM
Mileage –City (Before 4000Kms)
13kmpl to 14 kmpl (30%-40% AC)
Mileage –City (After 4000Kms)
14.5kmpl to 15.50 kmpl (30%-40% AC)
Mileage- Highway (Before 4000 Kms)
16.5kmpl to 17.5 Kmpl (100% AC)
Mileage- Highway (After 4000 Kms)
19.5Kmpl (100% AC) doing very high speeds. During this fill, touched a personal best record of covering 56kms in 30 mins flat!!!!
Major problems till date
Fuel Indicator not showing properly. It is not yet rectified due to my hectic schedule and time constraints. I intend to get this rectified in my next service by asking them to replace the float of the fuel system
Minor problems
Auto-cut off indicators doesn’t turn off immediately. It will turn off only after the steering completes almost full rotation. Strange, don’t know if the feature of car is like that or a problem with mine.
Comfort
Extremely High
Ride
Extremely comfortable, the back gets a little uncomfortable on rough patches but, nothing so much to worry about
Punctures till date
1 (Rear left side) due to a big steel nail
Cleaning schedule Cleaner’s Job
Daily wet cloth wipes and washes tyres. Twice in a week clean the interiors (mats, seats, complete dusting).
My job
Once a month, I wax the car thoroughly to maintain the gleam and shine and also to ensure that my weight is reduced to a slight extent
Bumps and scratches
Only one nasty scratch on the front left door, that I promptly got painted.
Next (second) service due
@8000km. Manual says 10,000km
Run-in process
Avoided > 100kmph and > 2500 RPM for first 3000Km. After 3000 Km, revved it to redline and in all gears
Driving style (City)
Very fast and always looking to overtake but, always smoothly and not in spurts and bursts. AC turned on only if I am driving between 11:00AM to 8:00PM. Otherwise, I prefer gazing and leering at my fellow drivers with my windows down. Also, I feel claustrophobic with windows continuously shut
Driving Style (Highway)
I keep up very high speeds on highways and touched 175kmph and my average speed is 120kmph-130kmph (provided the roads allow me too). AC turned on 100% during highway drives.
Could be better
Handbrake is quite loose and need to pull it all the way up to get it functioning its best.
Would have liked seatbelt indicator
Getting in and out of the car is a hurdle since I am quite tall. It has the low seating profile
Rear view mirror is too close to the face
ABS should be part of the package but, it’s not even an option. Brakes are quite nice, but don’t instill confidence on high speeds. There is a creaking sound from brakes when stopped in downhill or gradient. Need to check this up during my next service
What is wow!!
Power, Power, Power, need I say more? The more I drive, the more I get addicted to this car. Pulling power of this car is astounding and especially steep roads ( Hyderabad has quite a few- As a matter of fact, Hyderabad is all ups and downs roads) it effortlessly climbs these steeps in 4th gear sometimes even in 5th gear.
Handling is also superb, with just stock tyres; I never felt any scary situation. I have done steep turnings at 80kmph. There is one on Road No. 1, Banjara Hills on way to Jubilee Hills, I love that curve, very curvy and almost 250 Degrees
AC chills you to the bones
Wish list
Dimmer Lights
Boot Opener on remote
Another 16bhp (going to fit a tuning box in near future)
Some more torque (hope it won’t do any wheels spins)
Lights weren’t that strong, so replaced the stock (55/60) with Phillips Blue Vision (90/100) and now we are talking
Overall I really love this car and the most fun-loving car to drive. Like they said somewhere,
“this car is meant to be driven not being drived” I will update this report after another 5000KMS
Future upgrades during this year
Fatter Rubbers (Potenzas III), Tuning Box, Free Flow and Better Igniters!!!