Fiat Grande Punto: A grand car
03 Aug 2009 7:40 AM by
Sarmad Kadiri
in
Single review,
Fiat,
|
 i drove Fiat Grande Punto from Delhi all the way to Himachal Pradesh. The Italian firm's new hatch is based on the Linea platform and hence several gizmos and goodies from the sedan can be seen in the Punto. The hatch is designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro and features subtle lines and solid looks coupled with a Maserati inspired front grille. The teardrop headlamps accentuate the car’s aggressive stance which is balanced by the mild wheel arches and the soft curves of the bumper. The rear of the car sports trademark FIAT tail lamps that are placed high and pushed as far apart as possible making the boot lid wider. Compared to the other offerings in this segment , this is perhaps the only hatch that can boast of a having a super car nose.
Inside , the car carries the same black and grey dashboard with a hint of chrome interiors from the Linea which is great but the fit , finish and material could have been given some more thought. The Blaupunkt music system has FIAT’s cutting edge Blue&Me technology from Microsoft but to our dismay , there is no USB port. The front seats are comfortable with all-round support , however , the rear seat might seem cramped for six footers. Long drives with three adults in the back seat might not be great idea. The car’s pedals are a letdown as they are not positioned well. I had trouble getting my foot out every time I rested it on the footrest next to the clutch. The steering is light and  ideal for City driving with a nicely carved slot to rest your thumbs in.
The ride quality of the car gets a thumbs up as the Punto remained well composed on the highway and the hills alike. If I have to be critical , I would point out that some noise from the engine does penetrate through the cabin at high revs. The cabin is well appointed and the doors shut with an assuring sturdy thud. FIAT has three engines on offer for Indian buyers – the two petrol engines: a 1.2 and a 1.4 FIRE and a diesel 1.3 Multijet motor , all with a five-speed manual transmission. The 1.2 petrol engine variant is competitively priced and will be an attractive option for potential hatch buyers , though we haven’t driven it yet. The 1.4 FIRE mill is aimed at buyers looking for a sporty hatch but during the drive , the engine did not perform up as we expected. To top it the fuel economy of less that 10kmpl was also a big letdown. We stopped for lunch midway and switched to the 1.3 Multijet motor. The diesel Punto is refined and we preferred it to the petrol variant. Keep the Multijet between the 2000 to 3500rpm band and you’ll get the best of performance and fuel economy. We managed close to 15kmpl although we were not treating the car that well.
Internationally , the Grande Punto has done wonders for the FIAT’s fortune and has already sold 1.6 million units globally. The Italian super hatch does live up to its name for the most part in terms of style , space and driving pleasure. With prices starting just below the Rs 4 lakh mark , the Punto might just turn FIAT India in the right direction – up!
More photos:
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Content courtesy: 
on 10 May 12 at 7:21 PM
I have done lots of research and finally got two models in my list Punto Multijet diesel and Swift Dzire diesel. Can you please provide me geniune comments/suggestion which would of these would give me mileage, good body build better grade of metal and After sales.
on 10 May 12 at 7:21 PM
Punto's the best!
on 10 May 12 at 7:21 PM
I WANA BUY PUNTO DIESEL emotions..... kindly advice the same over swift diesel in terms of look, body build, driving comfort & mileage..
on 10 May 12 at 7:21 PM
just go for punto diesel. you will not feel regrated, in anyway.good car for everyone who wants driving thril.
on 10 May 12 at 7:21 PM
i am planning to by punto active, i want to know about mileage and performance
on 10 May 12 at 7:21 PM
Hi ,plz let me know the details of fiat punto 1.3emotion diesel engine..what is difference between multijet and quadrajet engine..and let me know the mileage of the diesel version...
on 10 May 12 at 7:21 PM
i am confused between tatavista, swift vdi, fiat puntodiesel pl.send your frank review
on 10 May 12 at 7:21 PM
Hi
Im a bit confused with the Swift & the Punto (both petrol). Usage is primarily going to be for city (Pune), but on & off on highways. Please advise the best one.
on 10 May 12 at 7:21 PM
same like other guys am also confused between punto deisel and swift deisel.??? please give me your valuable advice.i prefer value 4 money...and perfomance... thank you..
on 10 May 12 at 7:21 PM
Sir, Which car would u suggest me from Swift dezire, and Punto emotion. I would prefer an economiacal car?
on 10 May 12 at 7:21 PM
my querry is if given an option between fabia, punto & ritz (all petrol) & for highway driving. which one would u recommend????
on 10 May 12 at 7:21 PM
I am going to purchase a car within a month. I have bit confusion between Punto and Figo. I want to know which one is with better mileage , both in case of petrol and diesel.
on 10 May 12 at 7:21 PM
thanks dear mr. kadiri for your frank opinion of the car, i am thinking of a midsize car for city and occassional holiday drive to hills. Do you advise to buy this? i want to drive up to Leh, would it have the power & torque to climb its way into the steep passes enroute to Ladakh? otherwise i will settle just for 1.2 UVA as it is now competitively priced. I know swift is good but it also does not have good space in the back; i20 is expensive and again 1.2 engine only. Pls advise if possible.
on 10 May 12 at 7:21 PM
i want 2 buy a car around diwali which one will u prefer the grande punto emotion(diesel) or the swift vdi.and wats the on road price of both the cars thank you
on 10 May 12 at 7:21 PM
Im planning to buy a new car but abit confused among few. finally i have come down to 3 final options i.e. punto petrol 1.4,hyundai i20 asta and ford fiesta 1.6 exi petrol. which one is best according to u for city use only.
Im also planning to install CNG after one month.
what best suited according to u?
on 10 May 12 at 7:21 PM
Im planning to buy a new car but abit confused among few. finally i have come down to 3 final options i.e. fiat linea disel,hyundai i20 asta and ford ikon in disel. which one is best according to u for city and highway use. what best suited according to u?
on 10 May 12 at 7:21 PM
Sir,
Which car would u suggest me from Swift,
i20 and Punto emotion.
I really like Punto.
Can u tell me wht is it's mileage,has the enigne got enough power to drive in a city and on a hill?
on 10 May 12 at 7:21 PM
i want to purchase 1.2 active petrol verient.i want to know its milage and about its engiene performance.i want to purchase this car by diwali.is it worth to purchase this car? plz advise.
on 10 May 12 at 7:21 PM
review is helpful.
on 10 May 12 at 7:21 PM
I am planning to buy a hatch back. I have shortlisted 2 cars, jazz and punto. but i dont know which one to take as i believe is not worth spending 8lks for a hatch back(jazz)... pls advice
on 10 May 12 at 7:21 PM
This review is incorrect.
The punto does infact have a usb port, please open the glovebox sir.
on 10 May 12 at 7:21 PM
poor quality of grand punto. very poor quality of parts. complaint given to fiat india no reply. please do no buy car.i have very bad expirence.poor service.
on 10 May 12 at 7:21 PM
review is helpful.
on 10 May 12 at 7:21 PM
i am planning to go for a grande punto 1.2 active, please let me know its mileage, performance & i got to know from the company that there is no centre locking option for 1.2 active & dynamic models & even if fitted outside the company, they are saying the warranty would stand cancelled, pls give your valuable comment.
Inside , the car carries the same black and grey dashboard with a hint of chrome interiors from the Linea which is great but the fit , finish and material could have been given some more thought. The Blaupunkt music system has FIAT’s cutting edge Blue&Me technology from Microsoft but to our dismay , there is no USB port. The front seats are comfortable with all-round support , however , the rear seat might seem cramped for six footers. Long drives with three adults in the back seat might not be great idea. The car’s pedals are a letdown as they are not positioned well. I had trouble getting my foot out every time I rested it on the footrest next to the clutch. The steering is light and
ideal for City driving with a nicely carved slot to rest your thumbs in.
The ride quality of the car gets a thumbs up as the Punto remained well composed on the highway and the hills alike. If I have to be critical , I would point out that some noise from the engine does penetrate through the cabin at high revs. The cabin is well appointed and the doors shut with an assuring sturdy thud. FIAT has three engines on offer for Indian buyers – the two petrol engines: a 1.2 and a 1.4 FIRE and a diesel 1.3 Multijet motor , all with a five-speed manual transmission. The 1.2 petrol engine variant is competitively priced and will be an attractive option for potential hatch buyers , though we haven’t driven it yet. The 1.4 FIRE mill is aimed at buyers looking for a sporty hatch but during the drive , the engine did not perform up as we expected. To top it the fuel economy of less that 10kmpl was also a big letdown. We stopped for lunch midway and switched to the 1.3 Multijet motor. The diesel Punto is refined and we preferred it to the petrol variant. Keep the Multijet between the 2000 to 3500rpm band and you’ll get the best of performance and fuel economy. We managed close to 15kmpl although we were not treating the car that well.
Internationally , the Grande Punto has done wonders for the FIAT’s fortune and has already sold 1.6 million units globally. The Italian super hatch does live up to its name for the most part in terms of style , space and driving pleasure. With prices starting just below the Rs 4 lakh mark , the Punto might just turn FIAT India in the right direction – up!
More photos:
Content courtesy:
I have done lots of research and finally got two models in my list Punto Multijet diesel and Swift Dzire diesel. Can you please provide me geniune comments/suggestion which would of these would give me mileage, good body build better grade of metal and After sales.
Punto's the best!
I WANA BUY PUNTO DIESEL emotions..... kindly advice the same over swift diesel in terms of look, body build, driving comfort & mileage..
just go for punto diesel. you will not feel regrated, in anyway.good car for everyone who wants driving thril.
i am planning to by punto active, i want to know about mileage and performance
Hi ,plz let me know the details of fiat punto 1.3emotion diesel engine..what is difference between multijet and quadrajet engine..and let me know the mileage of the diesel version...
i am confused between tatavista, swift vdi, fiat puntodiesel pl.send your frank review
Hi Im a bit confused with the Swift & the Punto (both petrol). Usage is primarily going to be for city (Pune), but on & off on highways. Please advise the best one.
same like other guys am also confused between punto deisel and swift deisel.??? please give me your valuable advice.i prefer value 4 money...and perfomance... thank you..
Sir, Which car would u suggest me from Swift dezire, and Punto emotion. I would prefer an economiacal car?
my querry is if given an option between fabia, punto & ritz (all petrol) & for highway driving. which one would u recommend????
I am going to purchase a car within a month. I have bit confusion between Punto and Figo. I want to know which one is with better mileage , both in case of petrol and diesel.
thanks dear mr. kadiri for your frank opinion of the car, i am thinking of a midsize car for city and occassional holiday drive to hills. Do you advise to buy this? i want to drive up to Leh, would it have the power & torque to climb its way into the steep passes enroute to Ladakh? otherwise i will settle just for 1.2 UVA as it is now competitively priced. I know swift is good but it also does not have good space in the back; i20 is expensive and again 1.2 engine only. Pls advise if possible.
i want 2 buy a car around diwali which one will u prefer the grande punto emotion(diesel) or the swift vdi.and wats the on road price of both the cars thank you
Im planning to buy a new car but abit confused among few. finally i have come down to 3 final options i.e. punto petrol 1.4,hyundai i20 asta and ford fiesta 1.6 exi petrol. which one is best according to u for city use only. Im also planning to install CNG after one month. what best suited according to u?
Im planning to buy a new car but abit confused among few. finally i have come down to 3 final options i.e. fiat linea disel,hyundai i20 asta and ford ikon in disel. which one is best according to u for city and highway use. what best suited according to u?
Sir, Which car would u suggest me from Swift, i20 and Punto emotion. I really like Punto. Can u tell me wht is it's mileage,has the enigne got enough power to drive in a city and on a hill?
i want to purchase 1.2 active petrol verient.i want to know its milage and about its engiene performance.i want to purchase this car by diwali.is it worth to purchase this car? plz advise.
review is helpful.
I am planning to buy a hatch back. I have shortlisted 2 cars, jazz and punto. but i dont know which one to take as i believe is not worth spending 8lks for a hatch back(jazz)... pls advice
This review is incorrect. The punto does infact have a usb port, please open the glovebox sir.
poor quality of grand punto. very poor quality of parts. complaint given to fiat india no reply. please do no buy car.i have very bad expirence.poor service.
review is helpful.
i am planning to go for a grande punto 1.2 active, please let me know its mileage, performance & i got to know from the company that there is no centre locking option for 1.2 active & dynamic models & even if fitted outside the company, they are saying the warranty would stand cancelled, pls give your valuable comment.