Team-BHP - Fiat Grande Punto 2012: First Drive

Very nicely done. Rated it 5 stars! Thanks for sharing.

Would be very interesting to see acceleration figures for the new Diesel Punto. The outright 0-100 sprint and the in-gear acceleration figures (30-80, 40-100) were very poor in the older 90HP VGT.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trueintrepid (Post 2697883)

The turning radius of Fiat cars have always been abysmal. That said, take a look at their model line-up, starting from the Palio in 2000. Bad radius. Even the UNO came with the same issue. It has now continued with Punto. I wonder, if there's any reason for not improving on the turning radius, at least in newer models.

A reduction from 5.4m to 5m is not a significant reduction? That too - in a facelift version with minor mechanical changes.

Now, its not that much different from cars like the new Swift (which has a brilliant turning radius IMO - considering its length) having 4.8m turning radius.

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrAzY dRiVeR (Post 2698452)

Exactly. The VW Polo has a turning radius of 4.97m. How about that?

Wonderful review Sid! Simply blown away by the way you have written this one. But I hope you could answer the following questions pertaining in my mind:
> I did not get you when you said, "The VGT 90 HP punto is currently available on order and has the ld interior colour scheme, only the GC has been raised." - What is the ld interior colour scheme?
> Are the Punto 90 still being offered with the sporty and stiffer seats as opposed to the softer cushioning in the Punto 2012.
> Any info about the 'Sporty Looking' 90 HP variant that you have mentioned? April launch is a confirmed news as well?

Thanks again for the well put together drive report. Cheers :)

Quote:

Originally Posted by aravind.anand

> I did not get you when you said, "The VGT 90 HP punto is currently available on order and has the ld interior colour scheme, only the GC has been raised." - What is the ld interior colour scheme?

It must be "old interior colour scheme" , the o got dropped i guess :)

I have the same concern - hope they retained firm seat compound for 90hp.

My friend picked up the 75 hp Multijet couple of days ago.

Must admit, the quality, fit-n-finish has improved vastly.

Freebies he got

1) Body graphics'
2) Perfume
3) Floor mats
4) Mud-Flaps
5) Sun-Film
6) Reverse Sensors

And some not to be disclosed discounts.

Quote:

Originally Posted by PAVAN KADAM (Post 2699373)

My friend picked up the 75 hp Multijet couple of days ago.

The body graphics look stunning and it looks like it was done at factory level. Amazing stuff.

Can you please ask you friend what it could cost if one has to do this. Quite amazed that he got this for free.

The horn boss and some plastic panel looks different too. Is this a part of the external graphics deal?

Is this a 2012 edition? I ask as there are unsold units of 2011 that are going cheap. I could not really gauge it from the pictures, 2012 editions look like they are sitting on stilts at the rear due to the raised ride height.

Thats a really neat job! Carbon fibre vinyls are tastefully done. I don't prefer the body graphics much though, just my personal view. Parking sensors, sun film, body graphics, pretty good deal this! Can you confirm if this is the Punto 2012 please?

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrAzY dRiVeR (Post 2698452)

A reduction from 5.4m to 5m is not a significant reduction?

Grand Punto technical specification in the Fiat India website states the turning radius to be 5m. That's a significant reduction.

Once when I took my Palio Stile to the Wheel alignment center, I asked them if they can do something to reduce the turning radius. They said no. But they discovered that the angle of tyre while turned to the right and left stood at 27 and 33 degrees respectively for the left and right front wheels. They brought these to 27 degrees for both. And that itself was a great relief while taking a U-turn.

Quote:

Originally Posted by PAVAN KADAM (Post 2699373)

My friend picked up the 75 hp Multijet couple of days ago.

Pavan, didn't quite do well the masking of number plate.

Quote:

Originally Posted by lejhoom (Post 2701368)

...But they discovered that the angle of tyre while turned to the right and left stood at 27 and 33 degrees respectively for the left and right front wheels. They brought these to 27 degrees for both. And that itself was a great relief while taking a U-turn.

Huh? :Shockked: not sure if what they did was right thing to do in the first place! According to Ackermann's steering principle, the angle of the inner wheel sould be greater than the angle of the outer wheel while taking a turn! What those guys had done might affect the entire steering system itself!

Quote:

Originally Posted by aravind.anand (Post 2701773)

Huh? :Shockked: not sure if what they did was right thing to do in the first place!

This sounds quite scary! Let me go back to the wheel guys to set it right. Thanks for the info.

Regards

Quote:

Originally Posted by lejhoom (Post 2701867)

This sounds quite scary! Let me go back to the wheel guys to set it right. Thanks for the info.

Regards

Yes Bro. I sugest that you get it checked at once. And also try googling about Ackermann's steering principle. Also ask him to correct the steering angle and restore the original steering angles. It is not right of the Wheel alignment center guy to have fiddled with something so critical, which could affect the safety of the occupants :Frustrati

Team,

I am on the verge of booking a Punto 90hp emotion.
Concorde has given the following quote:

Otr - 871522.00
Additional charges - 3999.00 (to avail free insurance n RSA!!!!)
Insurance (23461, waived)
RSA (3500 Waived)
Corporate Discount - 7000

Final OTR - 841560/-

Has anyone got a better offer? I will only ask for mats, mud flaps and car cover as free accessories. Plan to get 3M film and underchassis coating done outside.

Edit: above price for premium colour