New Fiat GRANDE PUNTO

Fiat offers 6 different engines for this baby, all with character that may satisfy buyers with differ demands. Punto with 1.3-litre Multijet diesel with 75bhp is not a rocket, but it is satisfactory for every day use, with more than adequate peak torque of 190 Nm at 1750 rpm for its bhp. With this engine, gas pedal should be managed hard, but the car will listen for your instructions. 1.3-litre Multijet with 75bhp offers 165 km/h top speed with 13.6 sec. from 0 to 100 km/h, which is a little surpassed. The second diesel engine is 1.3-litre 16V Multijet which delivers 90bhp, offers a variable geometry turbo and top speed at 175km/h and 11.9 sec from 0 to 100 km/h.There is also two more diesel engines, both with 1.9-litre, which delivers 120 or 130 bhp.These engines are pretty furious in such a small city car, with high torque even at low speeds. 120 bhp version gives 190km/h with 10 seconds acceleration, and 130 bhp version gives 200 km/.h top speed with 9.5 sec acceleration.
With only two gasoline petrol in the gamma, Fiat has made great lapse. Punto with 1.2 and 65bhp or 1.4-litre and a 77bhp may feel lazy, with lack of response to the accelerator and make you want run the pedal through the floor. In general, diesel engines feel better, but that is common practice these days. A 95bhp 1.4-litre version will appear at the end of 2006 and stronger versions with 120 and 200bhp petrol engines are promised for 2007.
Steering is powered by the Dualdrive electric servo, which is standard on all versions of the car. On the open road, steering wheel may exhibit crisp handling, but it is not Punto’s natural environment anyway. On the other hand, in city centers driving is a real pleasure, steering wheel is precise and super light witch CITY mode turned on. Even if the Grande Punto is bigger than its predecessors, it has similar turning circle, about 10.6 meters.
Grande Punto is extremely fun to drive, with impressive stability, strong brakes and low noise level. The five star NCAP rash test score makes it the safest car in the B segment. By offering 6 engines, 4 equipment levels and 12 types of interior, Fiat has made strong, fashionable car with plenty possibilities to chose from. It is in the top of the offer in its class.

New Fiat Grande Puno is younger, but bigger bother in Punto family. With 4.03 m/1.68 m/ 1.49 m/2.51 diemension (length/ width/height,wheel base), Grande Punto is one the biggest cars in B segement even if cars are getting bigger every day.

Grande Punto is commodious enough for long distance rides, while integrating all ergonomic criterions.Luggage compartment is big enough for the B segment car, with 275 liters capacity. Rear door opens high enough so your head should stay safe, but the brink is little bit taller than it should be. Seats are shaped very well, and the driver seat is adjustable by height, also. Steering wheel is also adjustable, 4 ways, which makes that every driver find his best position. The only complaint can be visibility, because the A counterfort may be side-view marplot for someone, but that is a standard problem which is poorly solved, in general.
The dashboard is simple and functional, with all needed information and good groupings. Interior is full of quality materials and differ color schemes are available.

Renault Sandero :

Renault has signed an agreement with Mahindra for a manufacturing plant, an agreement with Ashok Leyland for making LCV, holding discussions with Bajaj for the proposed $3000 car and it is scouting for a partner for making trucks. Renault has also made a design centre in Mumbai. But all this will frutify and indian specific products will be rolled out only in 2010 or 2011, until then it has to build its brand in India. Apart from the Logan sedan, Renault has made 4 models on logan platform - logan sedan, logan MCV, logan VAN, logan pick-up and the sandero hatch back. Already Mahindra -Renault is selling more than 2000 units per month amidst the intense competetion and by next year Logan MCV will be launched in india. The Sandero hatchback which was unveiled in the recent Frankfurt Motor show may join the 2008 Renault’s Indian line-up. Sandero is a modern hatchback and was designed with the expectations of South American customers in mind. But that does not hamper Renault from marketing the sandero in other parts of the world. Like the Logan sedan, Sandero will be rolled out on a global scale. In addition to Curitiba several other production facilities are being considered. Sandero thus sets the tone for a new stage in Renault’s internationalisation. In Europe a model derived from Sandero will be launched in 2008. If reports are to believed India will receive the sandero by the same time.

The design of the sandero is a mixture of European Clio (Renault’s popular hatchback) with some characteristics of Logan. Sandero’s appealing design suggests dynamic performance and robustness. Its distinctive front end features are very expressive headlamps, with a grill & bumper that merge very seamlessly into the bodywork. The design of the flanks strengthens the suggestion of robustness. The rear styling of the sandero emphasises the impression of a roomy, generously proportioned car.

Renault Sandero has everything which indian customer will surely love, This attractive five-door hatchback boasts all the basic qualities that are inherent for the B0 platform(logan). Sandero’s ample dimensions both at the exterior and interior are examples. It is roomy, robust and has plenty of luggage space. Sandero is 4.02 metres in length with a storage capacity of 320 litres(30L more than the getz and 88L more than the Maruti Suzuki’s swift). Its front seat shoulder room of 1,400mm is best in class, while at the rear sandero has 878mm of headroom. marks Sandero out from its competitors. Not only does the interior afford plenty of space, so do the doors, which open to an angle of up to 67° for ease of ingress. In addition, the sandero has rear bench seat split-folds 60:40.

The logan has become synonymous for ‘frugal’, built on the logan platform, renault’s sandero also some bane of the cost cutting procedures. Hard plastics and central console mounted window buttons are few signs of such measure. Sandero will come with Anti Lock Braking system and other safety features include 3-point seat belts, honeycomb dashboard, padded doors and the roof cross-member. Sandero meets the safety requirements of European regulations.

Space does not make the car fit for India, its price and its fuel efficiency! Renault’s sandero will score in these section too. The sandero will take on the swift, getz and the upcoming new indica. The second-generation common rail direct injection 1.5 dCi is acknowledged as one of the best performing and frugal diesel engine which powers the logan sedan might be strapped under the hood of the sandero. Since, Renault has wide range of petrol engines it will pick the right one for the indian market at the time of launch.

Fiat LINEA - Set for launch in India

Looking at the Fiat Linea photos on this page, one can’t feel but a little sad. Remember, the Fiat Linea has been talked about for almost 2 years now. Anticipation has been high from the beginning, and blogs and forums were abuzz about the imminent launch. After Fiat and Tata formed an alliance last year, the LInea was expected to arrive quickly but that did not happen either. The Fiat Linea is a very good looking car alright - but last month, another C-segment sedan which has vowed evreyone was launched- the new Honda City. Your thunder has been stolen comprehensively, Fiat.
Make no mistake - the Fiat Linea is still a very good looking car and with classically handsome lines.

The Fiat Linea will be launched in India several variants, and petrol and diesel options.
The petrol version would have a 1.4-litre petrol engine, and the diesel version would have a 1.3 diesel VGT, combined with five-speed transmissions. The Fiat Linea will also come in a variant with a 120 bhp 1.4 16v Turbo option. We now know very well that the diesel will sell a lot more in numbers than the petrol. Only Honda seems to buck the diesel trend in India.
The Fiat Linea has been designed by the Fiat Style Centre. The Fiat Linea is 4.56 metres long, 1.73 metres wide, 1.5 metres tall, with a wheelbase of 2.6 metres, and a 500 litre luggage capacity.
The Fiat Linea variants will comprise Fiat Linea Active, Fiat Linea Dynamic, Fiat Linea Emotion, and the Fiat Linea Emotion +.
The Fiat Linea Active will come with power steering, manual central locking, power windows, driver and passenger vanity mirror, 2-tone beige/black interiors, tachometer, fog lamps, and halogen lights.
The Fiat Linea Dynamic with have rear seat arm rests, integrated Mp3 stereo, instrument cluser with white dials, adjustible rear seat head rests, height adjustable driver’s seat, and dual airbags.
The Fiat Linea Emotion will come with ABS, EBD, 16-alloy wheels, silver metal finish central console, audio controls on steering, instant fuel consumption, average speed, distance to empty data, and chrome trim on door handles.
The fiat Linea Emotion+ will come with a Blue&Me hands-free system that allows the driver to browse mobile phone’s book, and controls the audio system. The built-in USB port can be used to connect PenDrive with music in MP3 and WMA formats.
The top-end Fiat Linea has an option of a Blue&Nav system, which is, essentially, a Blue&Me system with an integrated GPS system. The system provides voice instructions and displays directions with arrows.
The car has a power of 77PS @ 6000 rpm, and torque 115 NM @ 3000 rpm. The Fiat Linea can go up to 0-100kmph in 14.6 seconds. It has a top speed of 170 kmph.
The Fiat Linea will be available in 10 colors: Cool Jazz Blue,Tecno Grey, Flamenco Red, Lullaby Blue, Fox-Trot Azure, Minimal Grey, Rockabilly Black, Breakdance Green, Ambient White, and Indie Ivory.
The Fiat Linea is expected to be priced between Rs 7 - 9 lakhs.

VEHICLE SUMMARY
Name: Linea
Model: Active
Car Body Type: Sedan
Segment: C+ Segment
Top Speed: 195
Fuel Consumption: Highway16.00 kmpl.
Fuel Consumption: City12.00 kmpl.
Warranty: N/A

VERDICT
FOR: Superb LooksFeature Rich. Reasonably Priced
AGAINST: Fiat's Poor Reputation

ENGINE SPECIFICATIONS
Displacement: 1368 cc, 16 Valve, FIRE
Engine Type: Petrol
Maximum Power: 90 Bhp @ 4000 rpm
Maximum Torque: 115 Nm @ 4500 rpm

DIMENSIONS
Length: 4560 mm
Width: 1730 mm
Height: 1487 mm
Headroom: 930.00 cm
Rear Leg Room: 860 cm
Rear Seat Width: 1340.00 cm

OTHER SPECIFICATIONS
Seating Capacity: 5
Tyre Size: 195/60 R15
Suspension: Double acting Telescopic Dampers & Stabilizer Bar
Turning Circle: 5.55 mtrs.
Boot Space: 500.00 ltrs.
Steering: Power
Brakes: Front Disk, Rear Drum
Gears: 5 Manual
Ground Clearance: 165.00 mm
Kerb Weight: 1240.00 kgs.
Fuel Tank: 45.00
Body Color Bumpers: Yes
Tachometer: Yes
Alloys: Yes
ORVM Indicator: No
Xenon Headlamps: No
Trip Meter: 2
Headlamp Washer: No

COMFORT AND CONVENIENCE
AC: AC without Climate Control
Power Windows: Yes
Central Locking: Manual
Remote Boot: Yes
Remote Fuel Filler: Yes
Rear Wiper: No
Rear Defogger: Yes
Rear Armrest: Yes
Streeing Adjustment (Rake/Reach):Yes / No
Driver Seat Adjustment: Manual
Music System: No
Leather Seats: No
Door Mirror: Both Side Manual
Tinted Glass: Yes
Rear AC Vent: No
Folding Rear Seats: No
Sun Roof: No
Buttons/Controls on Steering: No
Auto Wiper: No
Auto Headlamp: No

ACTIVE AND PASSIVE SAFETY
Airbag: No
Parking Sensors: No
Fog Lamp: No
Traction Control: No
EBD: No
ABS: No
ESP: No
Rear Seat Belts: 3