Just crossed the 3000 km mark today on my way from Lokhandwala (Mumbai) to Hinjewadi (Pune). My experience so far -
Had taken the beauty to my home town Surat, over the long weekend. The drive started from Pune on Tuesday late evening as had to finish some project work before I could start. Got really late. Also, Tuesday evening being Eid eve, roads in Mumbai, especially near Andheri Railway Station were jam packed. Took me 1.5 hrs to cross a 1.5 km stretch on S.V.Road, opp. Andheri Railway Station. Left for Surat early morning the next day. Found some traffic due to pathetic road conditions near Virar. The drive from Bhilad check post onwards on NH8 is beyond words to describe. Its just awesome. Took me 6 hours from my home in Lokhandwala, Andheri W to my home in Surat, flat. (287 kms) Road infrastructure in Gujarat is one of the best in the country. Spent a very good time with family for 5 days.
The journey back to Mumbai too was pleasant, until I reached KashiMira. Pathetic road conditions compelled drivers to drive their vehicles through craters. For a few 'hours' it felt as if we were driving on the Moon or Jupiter. Thane municipal corporation is the one to be blamed for senseless waste of millions of litres of fuel everyday. Took nearly 8 hours to reach Lokhandwala from Surat, which had taken only 6 hrs on Tuesday. (287 kms) What a waste!
Drive to Pune is always interesting as one can enjoy the lush green fauna of Lonawala and drive amidst the mist. Reached office in about 4 hours, 30 minutes of which were spent in Hinjewadi, dodging potholes.
So far I have made 4-5 trips to Mumbai and only this time I had drove my car for so long, till Surat. I have always maintained the car at a maximum of 120 kms post 1500 kms and under 3000 rpm. Today, once the odometer crossed 3k, was tempted to check the true power of the famous Multijet engine. After the final toll point, revved the car hard to give it a hint that
this is it.
Took the car to top speed of 170 kmph. Found it vibrating/shaking a little as the road was not really smooth and also it was wet due to showers. Hence did not continue at that speed for long but it did prove that Punto
CAN BE pushed till 170 with ease. Never during those few minutes did I feel uncomfortable or unsure about the car's road sticking abilities. Punto sticks to the road as if the tires have Fevicol applied on them.
Initially the car did show some harshness, but gradually it seems to be going away. Engine is getting smoother, yet it has not reached the levels of smoothness I am expecting. Gear ratios are really screwed up in the Punto. Fiat should put in some R&D time into developing a perfectly mated gearbox for its powerful engine lineup. Such a beautiful engine, not able to deliver its full potential due to poor gearbox construction, is outright criminal.
My Punto is due for a service now as it has crossed 3000 km mark. Will share my experience soon, post the first service.