Fiat Grande Punto. EDIT : Launch on 17th June!

kpbhatt · 11th June 2009, 17:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by pradster

you mean younger sir!

my bad -- meant younger not older

Minardi · 11th June 2009, 17:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by sidindica

...
How many of punto buyers will even look at 1.2? I think only 1 in 25.
....

Agreed not many 'Punto' buyers will look at 1.2, but many Indica/i10 buyers might look at it if it is priced at say 4.75 OTR. Who knows, this might give Fiat the 'critical mass' to work on!

Sid, can one go for Emotion and take bigger tyres+alloys as an add-on accessory?

opendro · 11th June 2009, 18:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by ankit_chd

Now thats what I am talking about!! 1ps and 7 Nm more than all others with the same engine

The engine did feel a lil different when I had started it up!

Sid, thanks for the specs. U have managed to put a huge grin on my face

Did u drive it also ?? How was it ? Some info please

[/quote]

But the Maruti fans will come and say, Punto does not pull and give the woosh feel as it does in Swift. Actually the truth is that Fiat Linea, Indica Vista, and probably Punto diesel gear ratios are too good for city drives (I like changing gears often and drive in the lower mid range). In Swift's case, you cannot do that as you have to throttle to a little higher rpm before shifting up the gear. But people will stick to bad Swift gear ratio as bench mark and tell the other way around.

I'm saying this from the reviews in megazines as well as many team-bhp members about Linea and Vista.

sohail99 · 11th June 2009, 18:25

Yea! you are right!

Every car however perfect it is, faces some criticism from people!

but as I read in someone's sig here - " The only people who hate FIAT are the ones who haven't driven one "

ankit_chd · 11th June 2009, 18:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by sohail99

Yea! you are right!

Every car however perfect it is, faces some criticism from people!

but as I read in someone's sig here - " The only people who hate FIAT are the ones who haven't driven one "

Yup its to true

You need to drive a FIAT once .

Mr_Bean · 11th June 2009, 18:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by ankit_chd

Yup its to true

You need to drive a FIAT once .

very true, it was absolute love after driving the 1.6 GTX. I wish I could have the bandwidth to buy this car in future.

akhilesh51 · 11th June 2009, 18:38

Launch Confirmed on June 17th. Location for nationwide launch is at Hotel Jaypee Vasant Continental in Delhi.

, Was initially taken back by launch in delhi as most initial launches happen in Mumbai and then secondary launches at other A-Level Cities.

Dine · 11th June 2009, 18:52

Thanks sid for the specs

.
Seems that FIAT has done the ground work, 1.2 for entry, 1.4 for more power and MJD for torque & mileage.
Waiting for the price tag of the cars

maverickxx2006 · 11th June 2009, 19:01

Received a mail from FIAT's marketing team -

-----
Dear Mr. xxx,

The Grande Punto is slated for launch on 17 June 09.
Check out all the action at Fiat Punto

Team Marketing
Fiat India
-----

I was pleasantly surprised to receive this mail from one of the marketing managers in FIAT with whom I was interacting long back regarding the GP launch.

Looks like FIAT is really doing well to get it right this time. Wish them all the best.

CliffHanger · 11th June 2009, 19:32

Really a brilliant website. Fiat is coming and coming hard. Hope they don't faulter this time around.

shajufx · 11th June 2009, 19:35

I have booked a TD online too !! Impatiently waiting for that day. So far I could not find any official tips about the pricing part. UK site is very informative and the car looks very attractive. Front end reminds me of a mini Linea ! I have to decide between Punto and i20 (wish VW Polo was already launched).

Caramelo · 11th June 2009, 21:07

damn fiat website looks and feel very sporty i must say. they are talking about the boldness. wohoo!! this is very cool stuff. cant wait for the launch. i am excited!!

they did it with linea. feminiestic beauty which is all good.

this one is for the boys in all of us!!!

deepakhon · 11th June 2009, 21:39

Wow! What a jazzy site for Punto? The bold theme looks pretty "bold" for Fiat.
Interesting, I should say! Now that Jazz and Fabia are out of contention for me, GP looks like a good fit. The only worry is about the 76 ps engine.

sukrit7 · 12th June 2009, 01:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by nkapoor777

Just called up Rama Motors in Okhla Phase-II, New Delhi. The lady confirmed that they have got the cars but has promised to call me back to confirm if I can come over and have a sneak peek. I guess I will have to land uninvited and try and work my charm on her. I hope I still have it even after being married for three years.

Well, did you manage a peek ?
I live nearby and am going to rush across if you did; maybe I'll go for a test drive of the linea and see if I can work things from there.

roms · 12th June 2009, 02:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by maverickxx2006

Received a mail from FIAT's marketing team -

-----
Dear Mr. xxx,

The Grande Punto is slated for launch on 17 June 09.
Check out all the action at Fiat Punto

Team Marketing
Fiat India
-----

I was pleasantly surprised to receive this mail from one of the marketing managers in FIAT with whom I was interacting long back regarding the GP launch.

Looks like FIAT is really doing well to get it right this time. Wish them all the best.

What a coincidence, I've got an identical mail from Mr. Kaushik Prasad, Product Manager, FIAPL. I met this guy during the Linea launch. I believe he has played a big role in the Indian Grande Punto's development. I remember him telling me that the GP is a better drive than even the Linea and they "might" think about performance versions at some point in time. What impressed me about him was the enthusiasm that he had about his product. I remember his words "If you thought the Palio was a hoot to drive, you will be bowled over by the Punto!" I really hope that happens, but with the 1.4 FIRE & 1.3 MJet, I really should'nt have too many expectations. Fingers crossed though. Here is the exact same mail as yours :-

Hi Romil,

The Grande Punto is slated for launch on 17 June 09.

Check out all the action at Fiat Punto

Regards
Kaushik

They are well and truly doing a lot to change perceptions and the effort is paying off, slowly but surely. Yesterday, at Linkway Honda, a gentleman commented "Why would I buy the Jazz at 8.3L, when the fantastic Linea is available at the same price." Mind you, this guy did not have a clue about the engine options available with the Linea and yet, probably due to word of mouth, he was of the view that the Linea is a superior vehicle with "matured european looks"(his words). Fiat, time to rise and shine

11th June 2009, 18:25	#1294
sohail99 Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2009 Location: New Delhi Posts: 1,271 Thanked: 229 Times	Yea! you are right! Every car however perfect it is, faces some criticism from people! but as I read in someone's sig here - " The only people who hate FIAT are the ones who haven't driven one "
	() Thanks

11th June 2009, 18:38	#1297
akhilesh51 BHPian Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Jaipur, RAJ Posts: 631 Thanked: 339 Times	Launch Confirmed on June 17th. Location for nationwide launch is at Hotel Jaypee Vasant Continental in Delhi. , Was initially taken back by launch in delhi as most initial launches happen in Mumbai and then secondary launches at other A-Level Cities.
	() Thanks

11th June 2009, 18:52	#1298
Dine BHPian Join Date: May 2008 Location: Chennai Posts: 117 Thanked: 5 Times View My Garage	Thanks sid for the specs . Seems that FIAT has done the ground work, 1.2 for entry, 1.4 for more power and MJD for torque & mileage. Waiting for the price tag of the cars
	() Thanks

11th June 2009, 19:01	#1299
maverickxx2006 BHPian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Pune Posts: 223 Thanked: 159 Times	Received a mail from FIAT's marketing team - ----- Dear Mr. xxx, The Grande Punto is slated for launch on 17 June 09. Check out all the action at Fiat Punto Team Marketing Fiat India ----- I was pleasantly surprised to receive this mail from one of the marketing managers in FIAT with whom I was interacting long back regarding the GP launch. Looks like FIAT is really doing well to get it right this time. Wish them all the best. Last edited by maverickxx2006 : 11th June 2009 at 19:05.
	() Thanks

11th June 2009, 19:32	#1300
CliffHanger BHPian Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Chennai Posts: 756 Thanked: 1,597 Times	Really a brilliant website. Fiat is coming and coming hard. Hope they don't faulter this time around.
	() Thanks

11th June 2009, 19:35	#1301
shajufx Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: BLR & Singapore Posts: 1,806 Thanked: 831 Times View My Garage	I have booked a TD online too !! Impatiently waiting for that day. So far I could not find any official tips about the pricing part. UK site is very informative and the car looks very attractive. Front end reminds me of a mini Linea ! I have to decide between Punto and i20 (wish VW Polo was already launched). Last edited by shajufx : 11th June 2009 at 19:36.
	() Thanks

11th June 2009, 21:07	#1302
Caramelo BHPian Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: ahmedabad Posts: 769 Thanked: 16 Times	damn fiat website looks and feel very sporty i must say. they are talking about the boldness. wohoo!! this is very cool stuff. cant wait for the launch. i am excited!! they did it with linea. feminiestic beauty which is all good. this one is for the boys in all of us!!! Last edited by Caramelo : 11th June 2009 at 21:08.
	() Thanks

11th June 2009, 21:39	#1303
deepakhon Senior - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,441 Thanked: 65 Times	Wow! What a jazzy site for Punto? The bold theme looks pretty "bold" for Fiat. Interesting, I should say! Now that Jazz and Fabia are out of contention for me, GP looks like a good fit. The only worry is about the 76 ps engine.
	() Thanks