[kphilip]

Now ppl, any news on the improvement part as we someone said in the start of the thread?

[SkyWalker]

Originally Posted by nurni76

+1, I agree Fiat is confused on what it needs to do. I dont think they can compete on VFM. Maruti, Tata and Hyundai are better adept at it.

Well, why should VFM be just limited to Maruti, Tata and Hyundai? As a matter of fact i do have a question if the Hyundai's can be called VFM in the first place.

If you look at the Beat launch form GM, we know equations are changing already. lets see how the market is impacted.

[ajkail]

Originally Posted by kphilip

Now ppl, any news on the improvement part as we someone said in the start of the thread?

+1 to that !!

Any update on when the new version will be out ?? I booked a "Hip Hop Black" with all the year end benefits only to bailout after I saw this thread !!

Any manfacturing date or VIN telltales that one should look out for ??

[jacksons]

Originally Posted by kphilip

Now ppl, any news on the improvement part as we someone said in the start of the thread?

I was talking to Fiat officials at Auto Expo regarding improvement and was told that its continuous process for us and we keep working on that as soon as we get feedback from our customers, he also told me that nothing is falling now in new cars and we have changed all the faulty part of our previous customers for free of cost.

[brar.arsh]

so probably 2010 make will be with all these improvements..

[VahanPujari]

Originally Posted by clevermax

BTW, Guys, do you know that the GP sold in UK etc. has EPS instead of Hydraulic PS? It was interesting to find this out! It is lighter than the Hydraulic setup, and it can be made more lighter with the 'City' button. Wish these features were also introduced to Indian GP!

I like HPS steering over EPS one. HPS gives better feedback, is more direct, accurate, & feels real.

[anachronix]

Originally Posted by VahanPujari

I like HPS steering over EPS one. HPS gives better feedback, is more direct, accurate, & feels real.

+1, HPS for me anyday! EPS just takes away the fun of spirited driving

[recshenoy]

if i am not wrong Maruti gives EPS for cars like wagon-R. This is mainly because its easier to maintain than a HPS. I think even higher end cars like MERC come with HPS to give better feedback while driving!

[Daewood]

Originally Posted by SkyWalker

Well, why should VFM be just limited to Maruti, Tata and Hyundai? As a matter of fact i do have a question if the Hyundai's can be called VFM in the first place.

If you look at the Beat launch form GM, we know equations are changing already. lets see how the market is impacted.

I think Fiat made a mistake by lauching Punto with only 1 variant of the 1.2 engine. The huge tax advantage that a 1.2 engine offers in India would have meant Punto selling in prices comparable to swift or Ritz or i10 Kappa.
Though initial reveiws about the 1.2 Fire engine were not encouraging, now people are saying 1.2 Fire is the best among the lot for city driving in a Punto.

Fiat, look at Volkswagen. they are planning to launch Polo in the 1.2 version first. The Fire 1.2 is a much more frugal one than the Violkswagen 1.2 and that would have meant better sales of Punto in India.

[throttleman]

Originally Posted by Daewood

I think Fiat made a mistake by lauching Punto with only 1 variant of the 1.2 engine.

A valid point indeed. Fiat missed this IMHO.

[VahanPujari]

Originally Posted by recshenoy

if i am not wrong Maruti gives EPS for cars like wagon-R.

No, Maruti gives EPS in its 2nd most costliest car SX4 also. Even DZire & Swift also has EPS only.

Originally Posted by recshenoy

This is mainly because its easier to maintain than a HPS.

Besides, EPS is cheaper than HPS.

[gksunil]

HPS/EPS
My Fiesta has HPS and most of my friends have commented that Fiesta steering is very hard compared to other vehicles like Dzire, WagonR even Xeta. Most of them would gladly buy EPS one and would claim it as one big advantage. Honda city is EPS!And it is the best seller!

Originally Posted by clevermax

do you know that the GP sold in UK etc. has EPS instead of Hydraulic PS?

Just now, I checked Fiat UK website. GP in UK has electro-hydraulic power steering.

[firstguri]

Originally Posted by gksunil

HPS/EPS
My Fiesta has HPS and most of my friends have commented that Fiesta steering is very hard compared to other vehicles like Dzire, WagonR even Xeta. Most of them would gladly buy EPS one and would claim it as one big advantage. Honda city is EPS!And it is the best seller!

Well the main advantage of EPS is better overall efficiency as it saps less power compared to HPS. HPS definitely gives a better feel but progress is being made to make EPS feel like HPS. And the biggies are already going the EPS way (Toyota for one) as they have the engineering power to pull off something like that. But Maruti, well our Alto Lxi's steering feels like a video game! Literally! Need I say more about Maruti's EPS? And as far as HPS being hard is concerned then that is something that the manufacturers have control on. Ford (I'm sure) can provide a lighter steering but I think would it would take away the feel of sportier dynamics. BMW's are famous/notorious for their hard steering. But can anyone question their driving feel?

[VahanPujari]

Originally Posted by gksunil

HPS/EPS
My Fiesta has HPS and most of my friends have commented that Fiesta steering is very hard compared to other vehicles like Dzire, WagonR even Xeta. Most of them would gladly buy EPS one and would claim it as one big advantage. Honda city is EPS!And it is the best seller!

Dude, thats what is the fun. Not for nothing, it feels great to drive Ford cars - HPS steering alongwith excellent Ride & Handling giving excellent manuevering abilities. HPS may feel slightly harder than EPS but gives you more feedback, is more accurate & feels real. EPS on the other hand feels good while parking the car, but on highways at highspeeds & on bends & even in city driving, it sometimes gives a feeling of vague - may be what firstguri mentioned like video games.
I also felt the same when years back I drove my BIL's NHC. Initially It felt good taking her out of parking as compared to my Ford & I was all blah blah on Honda. But once I drove it a bit longer, I concluded its nowhere near the fun of my Ford's HPS steering. Naah, never.

And as regards to Best sellers/ Market leaders, not everything given by market leaders can be taken as great just on the face value

Originally Posted by firstguri

Ford (I'm sure) can provide a lighter steering but I think would it would take away the feel of sportier dynamics.

Well said.