Fiat Grande Punto - Fiat Thinks GR

The first signs that Fiat is thinking out of the box, at least for India, was its alignment with Tata Motors to jointly do product sourcing, manufacture and development plus also marketing in India. It is an approach which has paid many firms in Europe rich dividends and one which Japanese manufacturers are also now exploring and taking to with a vengeance (refer Nissan's deal with Suzuki to make small cars, Nissan's deal with Mitsubishi for small MPVs to suggest just one significant example). This is an idea whose time has come in India as well but one where the Indian partner has to also play its own part while getting to speed to guide its international partner through the minefield that is the Indian car market today. Of course there are sensibilities involved but when a respected homegrown car maker, replete with the Tata brand name joins hands with a strong MNC, the partnership could be dynamite. Having said that, it has to be what better set of wheels can there be than the Grande Punto.

The Grande Punto is a 'now' car, traversing social and economic snobbery to become universally cool, that's how our colleagues at CAR in the UK perceive it to be. The Focus did it in 1998 for Ford in Europe, the Swift does it for MUL in India today and the Grande Punto could do just that for Fiat in India next year.

For years Fiats have been good looking but until now there's always been a hitch. An interior built with the dimensions of a species other than our own in mind, quick release plastics and too many dealers who failed to inspire confi dence in potential owners. Not any more, goes the fi rst impression. The Grande Punto starts, stops, clunk-clicks and handles like a proper small car.

The interior is spot on. The driving position is comfortable and bolstered by supportive and cool looking seats. The dash isn't as sexy as the Giorgetto Giugiaro designed body but it's better built than any Fiat preceding it. You are faced by squashy plastics that are largely good quality. Beyond the style there's the substance. You can fit two full-size Euro adults in the back and the 275-litre boot is larger than that of the Swift.

And it's fun to drive. Despite its substantial appearance - due in no small part to that Maserati nose - the Punto is among the lightest cars in Europe today. It also comes with a well weighted electric steering and a grippy front end. The damping is compliant yet the body doesn't roll dramatically through corners.

New and sexy the Grande Punto may be but it is a package which is well nigh complete. Fun, well built (assuming no long term weaknesses emerge), it could be just the ticket to get Fiat off to a flyer again, provided it is built that way. Lets await take off.

NEW AND SEXY THE GRANDE PUNTO MAY BE BUT IT IS A PACKAGE WHICH IS WELL NIGH COMPLETE. FUN, WELL BUILT (ASSUMING NO LONG TERM WEAKNESSES EMERGE), IT COULD BE JUST THE TICKET TO GET FIAT OFF TO A FLYER AGAIN, PROVIDED IT IS BUILT THAT WAY. LETS AWAIT TAKE OFF.

handled cautiously and fairly, for the partners would like the partnership to make the market explode rather than implode and damage each other.

Key to the Fiat revival and also the Tata Motors future car ambitions are the engine technology and also the joint product development the duo are hinting at. Fiat has already sold non-exclusive rights to the 1.3-litre JTD engine to GM and via GM to Suzuki who will make it in India at Maruti Udyog's brand new facility in north India. This engine is jut what is the right thought for the next generation Indica as also for the next gen Corsas from GM. Of course MUL will beat all to the punch with the Swift sporting this very diesel in the best selling Swift but then each car maker will surely tune its JTD version differently if it has to impress the demanding small car buyer in our land.

Fiat though will need to have not just the JTD engine but also a whole new car to house it in and

A great driving position with a fun filled interior that oozes Latin flair, lets hope Fiat keeps the interior sporty and faithful to what we see here.

Source: Car India September 2006.