Team-BHP - Fiat Grande Punto 2012: First Drive

Quote:

Originally Posted by PAVAN KADAM (Post 2699373)

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

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

And some not to be disclosed discounts.

Sir, which dealer? I am on the lookout for a good offer, need to finalize soon (in a day or 2 max)

Quote:

Originally Posted by autocrat (Post 2702297)

Plan to get 3M film and underchassis coating done outside.

Punto 2012 already comes with underbody coating from factory.

Regarding underboady coating, I had sent a mail to fiat india to clarify weather it is required or not and this is what I got in reply

Dear Sir,

Thank you for your communication. Congratulation for choosing our product.
Our products are safe on every aspect and all the counter measures required related to performance are taken during production itself.
Its totally upto customer’s will to take any furthur preventive measures and no extra care is required unless the vehicle is heavily used in coastal regions.

With warm regards,
Ashish Bhattacharya,
Customer Services,
Fiat India Automobiles Ltd,
B 19, Ranjangaon MIDC,
Shirur,
Pune - 412210.
Phone No.- +91 2138 672763.
E-mail :- service@fiapl.com

Quote:

Originally Posted by autocrat (Post 2702297)

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

congrats , on your buying decision and arguably its one of the best hatchback in the world so cheers
praveen singh

Quote:

Originally Posted by autocrat (Post 2702297)

Its the standard offer for Punto. Good deal, no doubt - but there is room for further reduction (2k max) - if you get qoutes from multiple delaers (if possible).

Ask for door sill protection plate as well. I guess underchasis coating is not needed for Punto.

Quote:

Originally Posted by autocrat (Post 2702297)

Hi
Got the same deal plus Rs 5000 dealer discount at Fortune Cars, Navi Mumbai.
It was on 5-Feb-2012 for 75HP Emotion.

SE offered Rs 3000 dealer discount upfront, spoke to sales manager & he made it Rs 5000.

Freebies did not include car cover though.

I am sure dealers in Bangalore are offering something more than standard offer from Fiat.

Question on MJD Punto 2012.

Does the Punto MJD's A/c system use the same fan as used for the Radiator, i expected the Radiator Fan to kick in when i hit the A/c switch but it did not happen.

Kindly confirm the same. thanks in advance.

I am glad the punto has a higher GC now, in the previous one my bro and me used alwayys avoid raods with huge road humps as not get embrassed by the passengers. I did not see any updates on the automatic rain sensing vipers and the headlights. hope to hear in detail about them too. thanks

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sweet Chariot (Post 2705014)

I did not see any updates on the automatic rain sensing vipers and the headlights. hope to hear in detail about them too. thanks

The automatic rain sensing vipers and headlights are not part of any variant of Punto, but are part of all the variants of 2012 Linea.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sidindica

The 2012 model's gear ratios are pretty much shorter and the motor is tuned more for driveability rather than outright acceleration.

But Mr.Sid, shorter gear ratios = increased acceleration.
Can you be more precise?

Plus, who has the proper tech details on what they have done to the suspension.
1. GC has gone up. So, they have added 10mm to the springs. Not the "shockers".
2. Have the anti roll bars been meddled with?
a. Have they upsized the roll bars in the front? If so, what size is it now? and what was it in 2011?
b. Do they have a rear roll bar?

Quote:

Originally Posted by nitrous

Well, I might sound like a noob, but afer I drove the new Punto my keenness to know the change details vanished. Whatever they have done they have done it right :)

The first gear does not feel as short as it is on my friends Punto

i called the concerde showroom near dairy circle bangalore and he assured me that new punto too has rain sensing vipers and automatic headlights. i also checked the march edition of TG magzine and it also mentions the same.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sweet Chariot (Post 2723215)

Could the dealers/SAs at concorde be so ignorant or are they trying to take you for a ride :eek:?? May be they would have heard you asking features of Linea 2012 instead of Punto 2012 :)!

Meanwhile here is the official feature list of the punto 2012 from the Fiat india website
Fiat India

below is the link for the linea 2012 features. Note the rain sensors and Auto headlamps mentioned.
Fiat India

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sweet Chariot

Ask the to give a demo of rain sensing punto wiper at their washing bay :)

One very fundamental question. My friend is looking to book the new Punto 2012. How do we make sure the car is indeed a 2012 punto and not the older version. Is VIN the only way to determine this? Or is there any other better means to find this out ??