[MCR]

Wow. Fantastic Travelogue Ravi. The photos are just amazing.
Now I am tempted to Take my Punto on the same route. Will start planning. Even My Punto's bottom scrapped at Tumkur BP. Earlier I would stop by the side and bend to have a look at the plate acting as the engine guard. But now I know the plate is real strong and donot really worry much.

[recshenoy]

very nice detailed report ravi. Linea looks very nice. especially one in which has temple as background. How was handling at 180

After lunching, we headed for Jopasu Car Care, Erandwana, for purchasing Jopasu car duster. I met Mr Anand Panchabhai, Director, Jopasu Systems Pvt Ltd. When I entered his chamber, he was browsing Team-BHP forum! ......

Not only Auto companies, accessories guys are also keeping an eye on team bhp

Thanks a lot for the compliments, MCR & recshenoy. Even when I touched 180 kmph speed, I felt totally calm, composed and comfortable.

[scopriobharath]

Yo Man,

Way to Go !!! Excellent review and Excellent choice of vehicle. It feels like i too am back from the trip with you.

One Questions - how did you manage the blinding headlights from oncoming vehicles. Did that not affect your driving? Do you have any anti glare screen / coating on your Linea windshield ?

- Bharath

Thanks a lot, scopriobharath, for compliments. I am touched by your words!

I am used to dazzling headlights [high beam] of oncoming vehicles. However, I use low beam usually. If it becomes unbearable, then I switch to high beam so that the driver of oncoming vehicle, especially, the buses, will relent and dip their headlamp. I found most of the truck drivers complying to low beam. But, the bus drivers usually drive with high beam headlamps.

No. I do not have any anti-glare screen/coating treatment done on my Fiat Linea's windshield.

[nkrishnap]

Fantastic trip and travelogue there. Nice pics as well.

Linea is too beautiful to overlook as usual.

What was the overall mileage for the trip. Pls do post a bit of trip stats

Thanks a lot, nkrishnap.

FE of Bangalore-Goa-Mahabaleshwar-Mumbai-Pune, including driving in ghat sections and bumper-to-bumper Mumbai city driving, was 11.3 kmpl.

FE of Pune to Bangalore [875 km],including torturous Haveri-Chitradurga stretch, was 12.4 kmpl with trip time of 12 hours 38 minutes with an average speed of 69 kmph.

Total distance travelled from home to home: 2887 km in 8 days

The FE, distance, trip time and average speed details are as per my Fiat Linea's MID.

[SmartCat]

One Questions - how did you manage the blinding headlights from oncoming vehicles. Did that not affect your driving? Do you have any anti glare screen / coating on your Linea windshield ?

Do not look at the blinding headlights of the oncoming traffic like a deer. You will have an idea of the line of the opposite vehicle when you see it - move slightly to the left if required. Your eyes should be on the left hand edge of the road, and straight ahead - and not on the other vehicle.

If the opposing vehicle does not dip, do not be a nice guy - hit the high beam.

[recshenoy]

i totally agree with smartcat. initially i had problem with upcoming vehicles. i used to look at their light and say" damn, that guy is coming bright high beam"

Later realized, i should look at road rather than at vehicle! Also, changed the stock bulbs to 90/130. So if person in front doesn’t budge, i switch to high (130W) and make him go low

[MX6]

Originally Posted by smartcat

Do not look at the blinding headlights of the oncoming traffic like a deer. You will have an idea of the line of the opposite vehicle when you see it - move slightly to the left if required. Your eyes should be on the left hand edge of the road, and straight ahead - and not on the other vehicle.

If the opposing vehicle does not dip, do not be a nice guy - hit the high beam.

I had a friend who had his one inimitable style of handling this.
Once on the pune katraj (old ghat road) there was a qualis or something like that coming with high beam. Our guy uses the dipper like mad. The other vehicle doesn't turn down to low beam. In a fit of anger, our chap turns off his headlights completely.
I screamed. The other vehicle came immediately to low beam.
My friend looks triumphant. That was the last time I sat in his car.

[ambivalent_98]

ravi.... u took the linea upto 140 & beyond....hats off to u....the expressway does tempt first timers

You said it, ambivalent_98. I did touch 180 kmph, my record speed in my Fiat Linea.

[S.I.N.G.H]

Originally Posted by J.Ravi

You said it, ambivalent_98. I did touch 180 kmph, my record speed in my Fiat Linea.

+1 to that sir. even i did 180 kmph in my linea and still there were no signs of wobbling.

[ampere]

Originally Posted by S.I.N.G.H

+1 to that sir. even i did 180 kmph in my linea and still there were no signs of wobbling.

180 . I don't even dream of those speeds

Originally Posted by S.I.N.G.H

+1 to that sir. even i did 180 kmph in my linea and still there were no signs of wobbling.

Thanks, S.I.N.G.H, for kind words. BTW, I like your signature.

Originally Posted by ampere

180 . I don't even dream of those speeds

It was almost deserted, straight, plain, multiple laned and excellent stretch of Mumbai - Pune Expressway. I was as calm, composed and comfortable as my Fiat Linea. I get such opportunity very rarely.