How much is Fiat asking for the Grande Punto?
The entry-level 1.2 petrol version is priced at an enticing Rs 3.99 lakh. But that’s just to get you to the showroom, as there’s only one version with that engine. The price-tags are: for the 1.4 petrol, Rs 4.66 lakh (Dynamic), Rs 5.06 lakh (Emotion) and Rs 5.61 lakh for the top-end Emotion Option pack and Rs 4.85 lakh (Active), Rs 5.16 lakh (Dynamic), Rs 5.56 lakh (Emotion) and Rs 6.11 lakh for the fully loaded Emotion Option pack for the diesel 1.3. All prices are ex-showroom Delhi.
Isn’t that close to the Swift pricing?
Yes, the Punto pricing hovers around Maruti Suzuki’s best-seller. That’s where the car’s aimed at.
Is it a good car to live in?
The interiors are slightly depressing because of the dark plastics. Some plastic bits are okay, while some are so-so when it comes to quality. The ergonomics are a little iffy – in other words, arriving at your perfect driving position takes a lot of to-ing and fro-ing and the pedal placement is slightly skewed. For its large external appearance, legroom at the rear is surprisingly disappointing. Six-footers at the front please. Oh, but the luggage space is very good for a car in its category.
What engines does the Grande Punto come with?
The 1172cc inline-four FIRE engine develops 67 bhp at 6000 revs and 9.8 kgm of torque at 2500 rpm. Yes, this is the same engine that does duty in the Tata Indica Vista Saffire (phew, what a name!). It’s a basic entry-level humdrum motor with a 12-valve SOHC layout. The two key engines are of course, the bigger 1.4 petrol and the 1.3 turbodiesel. The 1368cc inline-four 16-valve DOHC petrol engine produces 89 bhp at 6000 rpm and 11.8 kgm of torque at 4500 rpm. The diesel is that famous engine that’s seen inside the bonnets of so many diverse cars these days, including the Indica Vista and even the Swift! The 1248cc 16-valve DOHC turbodiesel offers an output of 75 bhp at 4000 rpm and nearly 20 kgm of turning force at just 1750 rpm.
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