My Babe !!. Review on Fiat Petra

Update 19th June 2007

As I am using this vehicle for quite some time (read almost 2 years), I felt it is better to write small update on this.

Fiat Petra Rocks.. no doubt about it and I still stick to it. I had to replace clutch assembly (5K minus in my pocket) because of strictly my bad driving with stick shift (earlier I was driving automatics). Now I am pretty comfortable to operate. That 5K is my mistake and not vehicle's fault. In between, I had driver to take me around and at that time fuel efficiency is used to be between 10 and 11. Now a days I am driving and I am ticking minimum 12+ (city driving, AC on). So fuel wise also I do not have any worries. Recently read articles say that Fiat stopped producing Petra and I am puzzled little bit but not panicked. AC still needs be faster. Only thing I repented was I paid extra for rear spoiler and automatic windows. I think GL version should have been sufficient for needs.

After coming back from USA, every car looked small for me in India as compared to my beautiful Toyota Camry. More over, I was used to automatics instead of gear / clutch mechanism. It took some time for me to venture in to buying a car.

The research: After exhaustive research based on online reviews, brand, price, safety and considering personal and family preferences, I narrowed down to two vehicles. Hyundai Getz and Fiat Petra. I was very much aware that they belong to two different segments, but chose them in their segments. Of course I can afford only one. Apart of major web sites, folks from TeamBHP (https://teambhp.com), Fiat users club (https://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/FiatClubIndia/) helped a lot in deciding the vehicle. Test drove Getz and liked it but wife considered it as normal hatchback though it is big in that segment. The other car left for test drive is Petra. Anuroop at Hyderabad was dealer for Fiat and visited the showroom. It took couple days for them to arrange for test drive. Once I drove it, I was flat at its smooth ride. I could not compare it with earlier test drives of Getz, Accent, and Swift. After couple of discussions, got some goodies from Anuroop along with free installation of music system with some price reduction, which I used it for buying Sony MP3 player and seat covers from G-sport.

The vehicle: It is Fiat Petra 1.6 ELX model. It has 1596 cc, DOHC powerful engine which is more than enough for city traffic and feast for highways. I went with top end model ELX instead of EL model which does not have power windows in Bharat Stage III model. ELX version has all major features that are desired by an owner in the areas of • Convenience (power steering, power windows, motorized adjustment for rear view mirrors, central locking, remote boot opener, remote fuel lid opener, seat adjustments (not height), steering height adjustment, rear seat folding) • Comfort and other functions (Air conditioner, anti submarine seats, front and rear ashtray, vanity mirror, digital clock, cigarette lighter, roof lights with timers, reading lamps and pre wired for 6 speakers) • Safety and Security (energy absorbing steering wheel, collapsible steering column, fire prevention system, child locking for rear windows, side impact bar in the doors, seat belts for all 5 passengers) • Exterior (body colored bumpers, tinted glass, stone guard, alloy wheels, rear spoiler) For more specification details visit https://fiat-india.com

The Drive:The best I could felt after my first Camry. One can really enjoy driving this babe in city as well as highways. Almost silent engine noise when you close the glass doors. Slight push on accelerator makes the 1.6 engine gallop. Seat positions are little high as compared to other cars make one feel good control on the vehicle and you feel stable at higher speeds also. Very good suspension system and smooth gear shift. Overall one can’t take another car for ride if they experience the power of the engine.

The Comfort:It has enough leg room for driver as well as rear passengers and one will not feel tired for long drives also. It has decent air conditioner to make your ride comfortable. Rear seats are also positioned at higher level and which give a more solid seating feeling. Center locking and child locking are definitely added advantage for me with kids. Reading lamps for rear seats in the corner helped me in couple of situations to do my work with out disturbing other family members. The boot / trunk / dickey is huge as compared to other vehicles and easily accommodates enough luggage for long drives.

Fuel efficiency:If you are very particular about this, do not look this vehicle. It gives 10 kmpl in city and about 14 kmpl (not thoroughly tested though!) on long drives. I would have saved Rs 4,368/- (@ 11kmpl), Rs 8,016/- (@ 12 kmpl) based on my usage of 200 km per week (or 10,400 km per year) at Rs. 50/- per litre of petrol. I am not expecting more than 12 kmpl from any other competitor vehicle with 1.6 engines. It may cost me more as compared to other vehicles, but the satisfaction of driving this vehicle is price less. (Yes, :-) I use master card at IOC bunk for eXtra Premium petrol).

After sales and service:Fiat’s service network question popped in to my mind also during research. But, if we buy a good product, why should one worry about service anticipating problems down the road? (This is totally my opinion, I might be wrong), But other side of me warned considering regular service it needs for keeping the vehicle in good condition along with the price we pay for the vehicle. Limited service network instead of no service at all made me to take risk (again love with the car). So far I have gone through 2 services at Anuroop, since vehicle was bought and no issues at all. Recently Tata’s network started selling FIAT vehicles and providing service also. I am no longer worried about this.

Pros and Cons:Let me put my wish list instead of cons :-) first. Interior fabric should have been better quality; faster AC; lower turning radius (some times U-turns need extra space); power windows in EL model (I would have saved more money instead of going for ELX model as most of them or cosmetic enhancements). Coming to Pros: Fiats brand, solid build, stable drive, looks and most important point is value for the money.

Final Say:Strongly recommended for those who like driving, comfort, who prefer safety over price and for those who consider “Do I get equal or more than what I pay?’. Not recommended for fuel conscious personnel.