Jan 29, 2009 04:05 PM
17275 Views
(Updated Jul 28, 2010 08:20 PM)
I am writing about the Vista Quadrajet from TATA. Having driven it for 800 Kms I am comparing with my Swift Vdi (which carries the same engine and sprightedness) under following parameters.
1.Space - Hands down, Vista beats swift straight and plain. The front seats offers lumbar support, under thigh support - however, if you carry rear passengers Vista offers more space - much more.
- Safety - The Swift offers ABS at a premium price. Eventhough Vista does not offer it , I feel the brakes are confident appealing to drive at high speeds in highways.
Moreover to aquire a Swift Vdi with ABS one has to wait a life time. So it is ruled out that Swif has ABS.
Comfort & Features - I would say Vista piques the Swift by a wide margin. The seats in Vista are far more comfortable with a 2-way lumbar support, height adjustment for the driver and a tilt but not a telescopic steering. The rear passenger has a 60:40 split option and there is a rear charger for a cell phone as well;
Stereo/Music System - Swift Diesel does not a have a music system. Vista Aura offers a Clarion Audio - MP3 - FM - USB player that offers decent sound quality.
Finishing - The fit and finish and the interiors are great in a Vista Aura. The monotonous Swift only bores the driver on a long run.
A/C - It's a tie. Both the A/Cs are good.
Ride quality - Probably the most important point along with safety. Firstly, the car is higher - I am 5'10 - not exactly short - but not very tall either - I got a clearer view of the road - the A-pillar in the Swift kind of creates a blind spot sometimes - the design of the Vista is better. With 'Gas Shock absorbers', just like Fabia , When driven on bad roads I just wouldn't feel bumps.
Performance: Tata’s have got a updated version of the Fiat’s 1.3 Multijet engine. The Turbo charger is a variable vane showing better low speed response. The turbo lag has been minimized to almost nil. The re-tuned ECU generates power from 1500 rpm onwards with max torque achieved from 1750 rpm and stays flat till 3000 rpm.
The drivability has been vastly improved from Swift. Vista pulls from Stand still from 3rd gear. 40-80 Kmph in 4th gear takes only 8 seconds compared to 9.5 seconds in swift Vdi.
I have fitted the Dragon Tuning Kit in Vista Quadrajet to find out how it drives with my Swift DDis.
Swift DDis ( With Dragon Tuning Box) : Vista Quadrajet ( With Dragon )
Max Power: 92 Bhp @4000 rpm. 92 Bhp @4000 rpm.
Max Torque: 22.8 Kgm @ 2000 rpm. 22.8Kgm @ 1750 – 3000 rpm.
40 – 100 Kmph 13.5 sec 11.9 sec
20 – 80 Kmph 10.5 sec 9.5 sec
60 – 120 Kmph 18 sec 15.5 sec.
With the Dragon Tuning Box Vista feels a Bomb to drive in highways. Overtaking has never been so easier with any of the car I have driven.
The newly launched Fiat Linea, which has 90 bhp, is not even as fast as Vista with Dragon Kit.
*0-100 Kmph (In stock Condition) takes 16.36 sec ( Source: Auto car India , sep 2008)
With Dragon Tuning Box it takes only 12.1 seconds
From rest , started at 2nd gear, ( Launched at 2000 rpm)
0-55 Kmph - 4.3 sec
55- 100 Kmph - 7.8 sec ( 3rd gear).
40-100 Kmph - 11.9 sec (4th gear)
In 5th gear I could feel the hard pull from 60 Kmph right through 140 Kmph.
The loud 'whooooshhhhh' thunders from 60 to 120 Kmph in 18sec. In comparision Verna
takes 23.2 sec and Skoda Laura takes 21 sec to do the same in 5th gear.
Fuel Efficiency: **The best fuel efficiency I could achieve with the Vista was 26.2 Kmpl when I drove her under 2000 rpm always. Under similar driving Swift had returned upto 26.9 Kmpl.
- Price - The Vdi Swift is a full 80, 000 more than the Aura Vista - so this round goes to Vista well.
*Vista is a tremendous car and TATA has hit the right blend of performance, design and VFM.
Update on July 28' 2010:
*Done 20, 500 Kms. Due for a service.
Troubles faced: None, till now since the last service at 10, 000 Kms.
Last long trip was from Chennai - Madurai - Theni - Chennai.
Total distance covered: 1155 Kms.
Total fuel consumed: 55.8 litres.
Fuel efficiency: 20.6 Kmpl.
Avg speed during the trip. 80-110 Kmph (Always AC on).
Vista Rocks.........
*Comments & Suggestion are welcome "arvind_k80@yahoo.com".
