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Old 1st March 2012, 00:11   #31
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Re: 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.
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Old 1st March 2012, 03:58   #32
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Re: Fiat Grande Punto 2012: First Drive

Quote:
Originally Posted by Trueintrepid View Post
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.
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Old 1st March 2012, 09:05   #33
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Re: Fiat Grande Punto 2012: First Drive

Quote:
Originally Posted by CrAzY dRiVeR View Post
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.
Exactly. The VW Polo has a turning radius of 4.97m. How about that?
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Old 1st March 2012, 12:03   #34
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Re: Fiat Grande Punto 2012: First Drive

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
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Old 1st March 2012, 13:11   #35
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Re: Fiat Grande Punto 2012: First Drive

Why Palio, Punto even the 500 which is a small car has a large turning radius. But that also makes Fiats amongst the most stable cars when it comes to handling.
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Old 1st March 2012, 15:40   #36
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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.
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Old 1st March 2012, 19:26   #37
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Re: Fiat Grande Punto 2012: First Drive

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.
Attached Thumbnails
Fiat Grande Punto 2012: First Drive-imag_1080.jpg  

Fiat Grande Punto 2012: First Drive-imag_1079.jpg  

Fiat Grande Punto 2012: First Drive-imag_1076.jpg  

Fiat Grande Punto 2012: First Drive-imag_1077.jpg  

Fiat Grande Punto 2012: First Drive-imag_1078.jpg  

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Old 1st March 2012, 20:20   #38
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Re: Fiat Grande Punto 2012: First Drive

Quote:
Originally Posted by PAVAN KADAM View Post
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.
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Old 1st March 2012, 21:26   #39
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Re: Fiat Grande Punto 2012: First Drive

The carbon fiber vinyls look amazing. Was it done at the showroom level?
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Old 2nd March 2012, 14:14   #40
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Re: Fiat Grande Punto 2012: First Drive

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?
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Old 3rd March 2012, 14:47   #41
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Re: Fiat Grande Punto 2012: First Drive

Quote:
Originally Posted by CrAzY dRiVeR View Post
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 View Post
My friend picked up the 75 hp Multijet couple of days ago.
Pavan, didn't quite do well the masking of number plate.
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Old 3rd March 2012, 22:01   #42
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Re: Fiat Grande Punto 2012: First Drive

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Originally Posted by lejhoom View Post
...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? 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!
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Old 3rd March 2012, 23:57   #43
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Re: Fiat Grande Punto 2012: First Drive

Quote:
Originally Posted by aravind.anand View Post
Huh? 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
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Old 4th March 2012, 11:11   #44
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Re: Fiat Grande Punto 2012: First Drive

Quote:
Originally Posted by lejhoom View Post
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
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Old 4th March 2012, 16:42   #45
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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

Last edited by autocrat : 4th March 2012 at 16:52.
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