The first product of the Fiat – Tata alliance will be the Grand Punto, a premium hatchback which is expected to be launched in the second half of 2007 or in the beginning of 2008. Grande punto will compete with swift diesel, getz CRDi and indica DICOR by the time of its launch. Grande Punto alone saved fiat to go bankrupt and made itself the biggest success in European markets.
Will it do the same for Fiat India? Let’s see
Engine:
Punto may come here by the end of this year but its engine is already here! Punto 75bhp engine is already offered in swift by Maruti. GM, Suzuki and Fiat co-developed the engine. This engine may also feature what Tata’s call next generation indica or indica CRDi (common rail direct injection). This year will be of CRDi year since santro and getz CRDi by Hyundai and indica, sumo, indigo sedan and indigo marina DICOR (direct injection common rail diesel) by Tata will be launched this year. Punto’s 1.3l diesel engine comes in two variants with the one delivering 75bhp active and the other 90bhp dynamic. Performance and power always moves in different directions, if you want to enjoy the both you can opt for 90bhp punto. 90bhp punto is modified from the 75bhp with the VGT-variable geometry turbocharger (available in newly launched indigo DICOR) and refined combustion chamber. This provides the edge for the 90bhp amidst the increased power output it gives you better mileage or fuel efficiency. A carefully developed manual gear box not only gives you comfort and better torque at low speeds but also makes the gearbox more reliable. Fiat claims the mileage as 22.3kpl for 90bhp and 21.2kpl for 75bhp engine. At least we shall hope this engine and power train requires less maintenance, the area where Fiat India is poor.
Design and Comfort:
Exteriors:
Designed by the famous Giorgetto Giugiaro of Italdesign, the Grande Punto is an attractive and spacious car. The Grande Punto uses the same suspensions (Independent McPherson with telescopic dampers and anti-roll bar at the front and Independent torsion axle and cross beam with telescopic hydraulic dampers at the rear) as the fourth generation Opel Corsa. Fourth generation Corsa may not be available in India since GM has announced it’s pulling the brand out of the country. Grand Punto, which is 4030mm long, is expected to be shortened by 30mm so that it can fit for the 16% excise duty. Since many customers never pop the bonnet and look for the practicality and the style. The car is styled to satisfy the both; Styling is driver centric from the visibility to airy environment, from dashboard design to instrument control. The model has faired vertical light clusters incorporated in the two rear pillars, where they are protected and visible. Fiat claims this arrangement serves two functions enhanced aerodynamics and a sporty look.
Interiors:
The punto is preceded with “Grande” to indicate its larger size. Fiat claim the interior represents the epitome of Italian style it means being able to get in and out of the car easily and comfortably, and once you are sitting down, it means being surrounded by an airy environment, enjoying its generous space and greater visibility.
As the name indicates the car is very spacious, in terms of space the car that can challenge punto will be Skoda Fabia which will be launched later this year. Fiat punto provides many possible adjustments for seats and steering. It is possible to raise the driver’s seat and adjust the height and reach of the steering wheel, roominess on the front seats is excellent and every driver will find a position that is ideal for him. Fiat claims comfort that the rear seats is almost independent of the adjustment of the front seats; It can accommodate a front passenger of 186 centimeters tall and a rear passenger of 182 cm tall simultaneously, providing both with a generous amount of space. The task is now with Fiat India to preserve the comfort and make the car fit for small car regulation. Punto offers an impressive luggage or boot space of 275 litres and body coloured interiors.
Safety and special features:
Brakes are ventilated discs in front with drums at rear; equipped with ABS and electronic brake-force distribution (EBD) on the higher version. Further safety features include brake pedals that will break on impact, while the front seatbelts have pretensioners, load limiters and a fastened sensor. Another important safety feature is the passenger cannot get away with not fastening his belt — an insistent beep will sound until the seatbelt is fastened. I wish this feature must be offered in India as well. You can monitor your driver there is also a boy beep which you can preset it to a certain speed and if driver exceeds that speed, it beeps at you. Punto has been given maximum rating for passenger safety in Euro NCAP (European agency for safety testing). Fiat provides an extensive list for special features; armrest with storage bin, electric power steering (with a city mode, making the steering lighter for easier parking),air conditioning that can be varied for individual passengers,60:40 rear split seats, electric front windows (one touch up and down on driver’s side) and they work without the ignition switched on. On board computer for fuel range, current and average consumption, etc. These features are excellent but all depends on the price of the Indian version.[kml_flashembed movie="http://www.vicky.in/temp/punto.swf" width="450" height="400" wmode="transparent" /]
Price and service:
Punto 75bhp is priced at Rs6,80,000 and 90bhp at Rs 8,00,000 for the basic version in south Africa. For India the car is expected to be priced between 4.5 – 6lakhs to take on getz, swift and Fabia. Fiat has failed to find a niche market even with excellent products like palio, siena and adventure because of its poor servicing. It was designed to travel 250,000 km without any maintenance to the mechanical components. What is more, the oil change intervals have been extended from 20,000 to 30,000 km. In South Africa the car’s price includes a 5year/90000km service plan. Hope this will be offered in India as well.
Further launches:
Fiat India new cars may replace the blue backed badge by new logo in red. Fiat is likely to launch the new Palio that will incorporate a few exterior changes and could well also be offered with a new engine. New palio is estimated to be priced at Rs 400000. Fiat is also planning a premium saloon Linea which is as big and spacious as the Toyota Corolla. Linea is being developed on a modified Punto platform especially for emerging markets and India is likely to be a key production base for the saloon in the region. Fiat also plans to launch Ferrari, Maseratti and Alfa Romeo in india in coming years. Fiat and Microsoft automotive division collaborated and made a car infotainment system – first of its kind. The system, based on Mobile Windows, allows to make and receive calls and to listen to music. Thanks to the Bluetooth technology which makes the automobile communicates with the outer world through your personal devices like movable telephones and palms. This system will be in India when the fiat launches higher end models
Earlier Fiat and Tata had announced ambitious plans to manufacture cars and engines under a new 50:50 joint venture between the two companies. Fiat’s expertise in small cars helps the Tata in designing the 1lakh dream car. Fiat hopes the alliance with Tata will make a turnaround for it’s Indian subsidiary, we will wish the same
Useful links:
For Fiat’s current offering
For Fiat Grande Punto colours and technical specification