Fiat Grande Punto : Test Drive & Review

[neoonwheels]

Originally Posted by cruiser_1982

@ neonwheels, where you able to extract any specific reason (from the dealer) for Fiat to go for this engine?

Nothing. Actually I asked him about introducing 1.6 MJD, as one of my friends who is closely related to FIAT told me 3 months ago that 1.6 is on cards. Even I am a bit surprised with 1.9 engine. Lets hope 1.6 or 1.9 whatever comes would satisfy both FE concerned as well as performance hungry.

[GTO]

Originally Posted by bottle

Hows the suspension and body roll , both of which are severe weak points on the palio ?

Suspension is beautifully calibrated, best amongst hatchbacks. Body roll can be felt, but it's not significant (as in some tall boys). Punto's high speed manners form the new benchmark for this segment (it can even teach some sedans a thing or two).

Originally Posted by gautomobile

apart from the higher FE of the MJD, are there any other advantages / disadvantages vis a vis the petrol version?

MJD would fetch far superior resale value too.

Originally Posted by narayan

Hows the turning radius/manouvereablity in the city ?

From the 2nd post of my review:

Within the city, expect complaints on the wide turning radius (5.4 meters). Most u-turns within Delhi were three point exercises.

Originally Posted by karanraheja

If you were in the market for a petrol premium hatchback , which would you choose among the 3 :- i20 , Jazz, Punto ( 1.2,1.4)?

From my review:

This clearly isn't a car you'd buy with your head as much as you'd do with the heart. For the women in my family, I'd choose the i10 (preferably automatic). High mileage urban running for them? Ritz diesel. If you want ample space for 5 or chauffeur-driven comfort, look no further than the Indica Vista. For those who are looking at driving a light chuckable hatch only within the city with high quality interiors, turn elsewhere.

To really enjoy the Punto, you have to experience her brilliant dynamics. Of all the new hatchbacks launched this year, my money would be on a "Red, MJD, Emotion Pack". This hatch pulls the strings to your heart like no other.

Originally Posted by Abes

In my Tiida hatchback, the rear seat can be moved forward and backward, in addition to being reclining, just like the front seats. Thus the rear leg room can be increased when the boot space requirement is minimum. The rear seat also has 60:40 split and center arm rest.

Fiat should consider providing this feature in GP in future updates. Then the GP would be a complete modern "big" hatch.

You bet! Vis a vis the Vista, the Punto has clearly gone for a bigger boot at the expense of the rear seat space. A sliding bench would greatly improve matters.

Originally Posted by Sivasankar

@GTO - Pls post photos of GP fully loaded, especially the back seat, with 3 on it or just 2 with the front seats pushed fully back... also photos of the black GP from different angles, just to drool on

Sorry Sivasankar, don't have any pictures of 3 in the back, nor any more of the black Punto. Here's some extra's for you "just to drool on":

Originally Posted by amulu10

btw i would suggest that a thread be created in team-BHP reviews which contains all the links to the reviews you have done so far so that it would be easy for a person to make a decision about the cars he has considered.

moreover once a hype about a car dies out you have to go really back in the pages to read a review. Case in point is the ritz review which is not in the first few pages(ok some times it was in the first page) but anyways say after 6 months it will be difficult for a person who wants to make a car choice between say ritz and punto to search through the entire forum for that review.
hope this request is not too much to ask right.?

1. We have an accurate search mechanism on the forum. It's free to use (no registration required).

2. All new cars will eventually find their way to our official Test Drive section.

Originally Posted by diablomk

( Those are my first words here on TBHP and am excited ! First cry of a new born ? )

Welcome! I enjoyed reading your post and hope to see many more of the same.

But the spirit shown by TBHP-ians on the other Punto thread where the page count went to 50 odd from 20 got me pumped up, to go from hospital to showroom, instead of going home !

Likes :

Too many to write.
Most points already covered by all seniors in both Punto threads

Dislikes :

• Took a U-turn on a 4 way highway and beauty needs some space to do this maneuver. Maybe the key-hole technique, mentioned by Safari owners in this forum, has to used on normal roads to take a U-turn.
• Had the driver seat pulled back and reclined ( to very acceptable levels ) and A and B pillars was clearly giving some blind spots, while making the above U-turn
• Once boot was opened, it was not closing/locking and saw that remote boot open knob was not going down willingly !
• Turbo lag. I did not push the vehicle too much, but around 3000 - 3500 rpm it was making pretty good engine noise inside cabin and shifted gears. Am not sure if it was the 'long' clutch, it lost some serious acceleration and had to go through a slight delay in acceleration before turbo kicked in again.
• Dead pedal do not like big footwear
• Driver seat height adjuster level
• We got a "T" shaped cramped driveway inside compound where we reverse the car. Reversing the black beauty was not easy like how we did in our old Santro and maybe, was even harder than ( or similar to ) our current Fiesta. Maybe this should be driven around like a sedan
• Not peppy
• Cramped footwell and rear seats

Spot on with your observations!

[agm]

Awesome review GTO.

* This has to be the hottest Hatch in india.

* 1.3MJD 90BHP Engine would have been better then 75BHP

* Dint like the interior's at all,kind of old.

* From the rear it looks more like Indica

Hope this car does well,lots is on stake for Fiat.

[Slick]

I agree with extreme_torque , A not so fuel efficient car would be a sure failure in India,

Let FIAT first get a foot hold in India which has started with the Linea then once it starts selling cars in respectable numbers we will see limited edition scorchers for the enthusiasts.
As we know the aam junta or regular joes far out number the enthusiasts (other wise Palio1.6 would be the best seller and not the Alto).
I went ot the showroom to see the Punto and I thought that it will be the winner for FIAT. (TD coming Saturday)

I wish FIAT all the best.
And it is appreciable that they invited Team-Bhp for such a long Test drive.
Nice review GTO.

[GTO]

Originally Posted by carfreak

1)You were not impressed with the gear-shift.how would you compare it with the Palio 1.6?also was the rubbery shift quality too much of a bother?

I've driven the Ritz & the Jazz in the past month. In terms of gear shift quality : Jazz > Ritz > Punto. Takes some getting used to for those who driven a Jap hatch on a regular basis.

2)is the pcd of the grande punto 100 or 98(as in other Fiats?)

Sorry, I'm not aware. Surely other Fiat owners can help you with this query.

@Sivasankar-right from the time i saw the car i had got a feeling that something was odd in the front when compared to photos of the car in other parts of the world

Sivasankar definitely got it right. The front overhang is marginally reduced (along with the rear). Nice scissor job on the front & rear bumpers by Fiat India.

Originally Posted by ashwinpak

The Linea seemed to have acres of space compared to the Punto.

The Linea does have a longer wheelbase.

Originally Posted by Ravveendrra

It is indeed unfortunate that Fiat is not offering anything to replace the S10 / GTX, guess we will just have to wait for that happy day.

I got news for you : One "nut" has confirmed that he's going to be dropping his Palio's 1.6 engine into the Punto. I don't know how serious he was, but he seemed determined.

Originally Posted by vivekji05

You seem to have covered every aspect of the car and it will be a mere repetition of what ever you have said, buddy.

You've listed out the highpoints well, Vivek. Thanks for sharing.

I couldn't help but wonder why the successor of the Punto should be called the 'Grande Punto'.

In some markets, the Grande Punto (3rd gen) was sold side by side with the previous gen. The name "Grande" was to differentiate & probably justify the higher price of the new gen.

Despite all these small quirks, I was in love with the styling of the Grande Punto. Would even consider buying one without an engine as a garden ornament.

[GTO]

Originally Posted by ajitsank

@GTO: How would you rate the AC of GP as compared to Ritz, Swift?

Nothing to differentiate, really. A chilling air-con is now taken for granted in any new car.

Originally Posted by vid6639

Did they say why they did not get the car with the Linea spec engine.

I'd presume:

1. For that li'l additional fuel efficiency

2. To differentiate between the Linea & Punto.

Originally Posted by lancer_rit

BTW, did Fiat show the lesser variants (Dynamic, Active, Emotion) to the press, so that you could make some assessment about the differences save for the list of features.

One of the support cars was a Punto 1.2. Looked "ugh" with wheelcaps + skinny tyres. I'd stay away from the 1.2.

Originally Posted by nurni76

I subsequently test drove the Jazz and might I add, it was really superb. Interiors were too good and so was the space. Every minute detail was of the highest quality. The engine was super refined and had a lot of punch. It accelerated better then the Punto infact a great deal better.

Except for the price (and lack of equipment for that price), there is simply nothing wrong with the Jazz. It's a heck of a city hatch. Keep the price on the side and it's the best drive for city use.

[amit]

The 1.6 in the Linea that everyone is talking about is the 1.6L Petrol from the Palio GTX/S10 and not the 1.6L MJD.

[schitre05]

Great Review G.T.O.
Thanks
Now the problem with reading your review and then going for the TD is that we know more about the car than the salesmen in the showroom (who have gone in for specialised training for the past week), but then we were following this car for almost 3 years. right!

Well.. enough is said about the build quality of the car, but just to check went deliberately fast on some pot-holes and was amazed at the fine and frim composure of the car, it gulped the potholes effortlessly.
The dash panel and buttons look dated at the first look, but i found the quality to be good.
Rear leg space: Now this was my special concern when i went to TD after your review.
my father 5.6" my mother 5.3" myself 5.8" all sat in the back seat with the front seat at normal driving position and to be honest then compared the rear seat space with ritz and swift (showrooms next to eachother). the punto is more spacious and liveable inside.
Loved the red emotion mjd but would wait for the white too and then decide (white not available at the showroom).
Can members from mumbai please confirm in which showroom can we see all the cars in all the colours. It is really hard to imagine them in shade plates and brochure pictures (lot of artificial light used).
Cheers!

[Slick]

@GTO:
I have always had this doubt about diesels, How long lasting is the engine because in the past the diesel engines were notorious for causing problems after a few years.

I have test driven the Dsire diesel and it felt really peppy but I would the MJD last the distance as you have mentioned in an earlier post about resale value.
PS: Also my uncle is confused between 1.4 or the 1.3Multijet.

[d_payne]

Excellent review as always! The new way of beginning the reviews with the highlights of pros and cons is superb, pretty much sums it up and serves as an appetizer for the entire thing.

One query though: The rubbery gearshift does not find a mention in the cons. Is it because its not such a big deal or deal-breaker?
2. Considering how Team-BHP's reviews are very comprehensive and the one-stop shop for everything about a new car, is it possible to extend these reviews to more than just "brand new car" launches? Case in point would be cars which are not yet reviewed like the Chevys (Optra/Aveo/U-va), the Mitsus (facelifted or otherwise) and the tons of other cars out there? A true-blue detailed review database thing.

I know the TD database has the summary of TDs and your opinions about the car but am talking of detailed reviews like this. Of course, I appreciate the fact that this is a completely non-profit venture and that you guys (the team) have your own livelihood and work/personal time to take care of.

Great review of a damn good car. My only fear is that the "low FE" sentiment might catch on quickly with the Indian masses and spoil this product's success.

I don't expect the "cramped rear" to be such a deal-breaker (look at the Swift!!) since the car has jaw-dropping looks and good price to off-set that (just as the Swift has Maruti's name behind it).

Cheers!
Payne

[PatienceWins]

Great unbiased review!!

You have covered the positives and negatives very well.

[GTO]

Originally Posted by Digital Vampire

Where will these journo TD vehicles eventually land up?

Circulated all across the country to various publications & media sources for first drives & long (7 day) test drives.

Originally Posted by car_crazy1400

Hey GTO! I was there at your guys lunch at Savoy At Karnal, Saw all the cars. But wasn't able to locate you.

There's a BHPian everywhere! I wish we could have met, would have taken ya for a high-speed cruise on the awesome Delhi - Parvanu highway.

Originally Posted by ntrack

But Fiat too did not take efforts in educating the customer well enough (even after the launch of NV,which had an improved FE) & we all know about their super-inefficient dealer network

Don't forget the miscalibrated speedometer fiasco.

[GTO]

Originally Posted by wildon

@GTO do you have pics of 60:40 seats in which seats completely folded. (i.e Flat bed)

Look up pictures from the opening posts.

Originally Posted by sharma_sanjeevi

One thing i wanted to ask is, has anybody driven the 1.2 Petrol Active Variant, i think it has been given a Stepmotherly treatment ,

It's been given step motherly treatment by Fiat as well. Only available in the base variant.

Originally Posted by u_chill

Why not reduce the Palio MJD to a limited period offer of say 3.99 lacs?

It would erase the value proposition of the other diesels in the showroom (from Fiat as well as Tata).

Originally Posted by lamborghini

- Poor engines:

I wouldn't say the 1.3 MJD is poor at all. It gives the segment exactly what they want : High fuel efficiency + respectable driveability. It is this engine that has made the Swift + Dzire success stories.

[sushanthr77]

Dear GTO, can you compare the rear legroom / space in Punto to it's competition? (separated by > symbol)

This should put an end to all the confusion over this much talked about issue.

[ntrack]

Don't forget the miscalibrated speedometer fiasco.[/quote]


Yes, of course. blunders galore!!