Jul 11, 2006 06:17 PM
13668 Views
(Updated Jul 17, 2006 02:59 PM)
Finally!! The car was delivered on Friday (though I was called be the dealer at 11 AM and went to the showroom at 1:30 PM and then got the delivery at 5:30 PM, the delay being put down to the number plates not arriving on time! lesson learnt, fix the time, ensure that everything is done!)
For readers about the adventure - have a look at my previous "preview".
First impressions:
Looks: very good, very masculine, be ready for comments from the wife or spouse about it being too masculine!!
The black looks great, very intimidating! The ski roofs, side skirts and the fog lamps add to the meanness of the machine
The clear head lamps are a boon to dark indian roads. There are two sets of lights and they are much more efficient than normal cars. C segment territory.
Enough about the looks (exterior), have a look yourself!
Interior: Got stanley leather upholstery done, so this really makes the seats classy. The dashboard is nothing to write home about. Lot of crude corners which look unfinished. Something fiat has to work on.
The instrument cluster: Looks ok. White background with black dials. The Blaupunkt system (added at personal cost) adds to the looks. Tachometer, tripmeter, door open warning lights, rev limiter and a separate digital clock. Nice. There is in an indicator that comes on before starting the engine, I havent figured that out yet!!
The best part is switching on the lights in the night. The whole instrument cluster lights up and you see it in a new light (literally) and looks very very classy without being garish. Kudos to that. A frient commented that it looks like a cockpit and a good one at that.
The best part. The ergonomy of the instrument cluster/dashboard, which we as indians with our constant eye on the fuel indicator ignore while bending over to change to the next song on the CD.
The whole instrument cluster has a slight tilt towards the driver which makes it very very user friendly and Safe (people changing cds or looking for that elusive fm/am channel while driving and being brutally surprised that you veered off, will be thankful and appreciate the thought that has gone into this)
The A/c - as European as it can get. The heater works like its on steroids and the cooler works as if its on sedatives. Need to give it 5 mins to completely cool the insides, slight disappointment there.
Another surprise: Though it looks huge outside the back seats will surprise you. Threereasons why:
Not as roomy as you expected it to be
The huge boot takes a lot of space!
The seats are not your chauffer driven sofa seats you would find in the optra elite or corolla. They are sturdy, offer good support and are slightly more upright (good for the back and long drives). The overall effect due to the height of the seats (from ground level) and its "uprightness" makes you feel leg room is smaller than it actually is at first glance (or should I say first sitting!). Fiat should work on moving the back seat an inch or 2 back and this would be in safari territory. And another thing I noticed we usually like plush soft sofa seats with a lot of recline!
The best part, the boot, well you can add seats carry enough stuff to last you a month on the road or even curl up in there! Talk about SUV territory!
Now to the most important part: Drive, brakes, gearbox and handling:
I kid you not the suspensions on this beast would put a 13 lac + car to shame only difference is it is not as plush as the c segment cars. But man oh man can it take punishment, other manufacturers should follow suit. The value for money is amazing!
Straight line performance: Decently quick on first gear, sluggish on second, and move ahead and you will keep smiling for a long time. The gear shift itself is very smooth without being flimsy (unlike more indian cars) and is a joy to use (but if you are the kind who likes notchiness in the gear shift, you will take time to get used to this). The baby (feels strange using that word) just seems to scream for more once you get past 50 kmph on 4th gear. The power band from there onwards feels limitless.
Stability: Drive it to believe it. As I said earlier I doubt if all c segment cars can boast the same. Check it out on a bad road or a long drive. You will be dazed and would want to do it again and again to make sure its true.
Handling: Though its pretty heavy, it still handles like a sedan. Though not as sharp as the good old 1.6 ikon, but close. only drawback is the turning radius but who cares! I dont mind it! Some people complained its sluggish in traffic, I dont have that complaint yet, guess it early days! Feels safe, very safe.
Cons:
Hmmm... :
dashboard finish (if you are truly looking for perfection)
Whining sound from the radiator fan (should hopefully get fixed in the first service)
inner panel in the front door shudder if you are at low speed in gears 3, 4 or 5, should be fixed too
The rear view mirrors, something needs to be done about it (especially the left) probably take a leaf out of the "Swifts" book
Nothing much else to complain about! thankfully!!
Fuel efficiency yet to be fully tested. Service from TATA seems promising for now, will know in a week or two.
If you are looking for value for money. Look no further, if you want a sedan, pick up the petra. Read my earlier review for the features. Build quality, handling and stability is cannot be compared. Scorpio eat my dust and learn a few tricks! My hunch is you will have to move to CRV or hyundai tucson territory. Fiat could just polish the rough edges, add abs, get wider tyres (i am not complaining about the 14" alloyed all weather pirrellis though!) get a 4wd version, and this could pass off as a truly affordable SUV with good off road capability.
