Tag: Fiat

The Legend Returns – A New Fiat Punto?

The Fiat Punto has been a very recognisable car over the past few decades and spanned across 3 generations globally. It was in production for a total of 25 years before being discontinued in India and some global markets. The popular Punto nameplate hasn’t been completely phased out yet and is still pretty well known. Hence, it makes sense to reuse that stance for a fresh product. 

A news media report claims that FCA has started working on a new-generation Fiat Punto. Olivier Francois, executive director of Fiat global confirmed that the new Punto has been delayed a few times, but the hatchback is now under development. 

The new Punto project is in a very early stage of development. So, no camouflaged prototypes have been spotted testing. 

Render

The next-gen Punto could be based on PSA’s common modular platform (CMP) as the 2 groups – FCA & PSA joined hands last year to develop new products, platforms, etc. The CMP also underpins the new Peugeot 208. Similar to the Peugeot e-208 and the Opel Corsa, the new Punto is based on the CMP, so, it would make sense to speculate an electric offering from the Italian automaker. Something more affordable in their electric car range, priced below the 500e. 

With the new Punto, Fiat is planning to re-enter the local B-segment in Europe which has been filled up with successful products like the Opel Corsa, Peugeot 208, Volkswagen Polo and the Ford Fiesta. 

Unfortunately, the new Punto won’t be coming to India and Brazil (as per sources). The brand was discontinued in the Indian market while Fiat is still selling its cars in Brazil. So, it makes sense to count out India but chances are that Fiat may return in the future as Mr.Partha Datta, President and Managing Director of FCA India on being asked about Fiat leaving India answers by saying that the brand has not exited the Indian market & they could consider a comeback when the time is right. He also adds that they are currently focusing on the ‘Jeep’ brand as SUVs are in demand at the moment.

  • Fiat Grande Punto
  • Grande – Interior
  • Fiat Punto Evo
  • Evo – Interior
Credits : Wikipedia Commons

In my opinion, relaunching a car which has been pretty well-known is a great decision by Fiat. The only thing is that the new car has to live up to the expectations of the previous car. The render’s design language doesn’t really shout “I am an Italian car” to me but I think they will get around it and end up creating a pulchritudinous car in the end. Being a Fiat-fanatic and an owner of Fiat cars for more than a decade, I am totally hyped hearing about the Punto. Maybe this will be the next big thing for Fiat. Who knows?

What do you think about the idea of rejuvenating the Punto and do you think the car would live up to its expectations? Let me know in the comments.

Oh, dear! Poor McLaren.

A thousand things and questions would have flashed across your mind as you read the title of this article. Then you re-read the title, proceeding ahead into the body for answers. You are curious, inquisitive just like a child who has just been opened to a whole new world where things like sarcasm, puns, and taunts exist. We are not here for the touches of sarcasm or taunts but puns do make me feel like an intellectual. Poor and McLaren are the two words you wouldn’t expect to be used together yet here we are. 

Driving through floods is like a gamble, you never know whether you will make it to the other side or not. I would have loved to share an anecdote here but I would like to cut to the chase and just brief the incident that took place with me. I gambled my car, and yes, I regret it. I and her were on a wonderful night drive just before the lockdown set in and I messed up. ‘Her’ here refers to my beautiful Italian stallion – ‘The Fiat Punto Evo’ and not my girlfriend LOL. I drove through a flooded road using Jeremy’s ideology – “SPPPEEDDD & POOOWWEERRR!” and guess what? It went as it always does for him. I crossed the short patch which was flooded and “pooff…” smoke came from the engine and she started to struggle. I am no car mechanic but that just didn’t feel right. I was able to start her up after myriads of tries by me and my friend whom I had called to help me. And trust me, you do not want to gamble when you are piloting a supercar! 

First, let’s talk about the car and the place where it happened. The car is definitely a McLaren but which one? I am pretty bad at guessing supercars but this looks like a 600LT but Motor1 claims it is a 570S. Though, I am pretty sure it’s a 600LT. Whatever model may it be, it still is a McLaren which costs around $2,50,000. The footage shows a McLaren owner driving through the flooded roads amidst heavy rain in the city of Charleston, South Carolina. The people who recorded the tragedy are discussing stuff in the video but the funny part is when the girl asks “what is it?” and the guy responds by saying that maybe it is a ‘Lamborghini’. Damn, aren’t McLarens popular already? 

What exactly seems to be happening is that the driver was following the traffic in front of him and till the time he realized that he wasn’t going to make it, it was already too late. The car was going pretty smoothly through the water, humming a pulchritudinous exhaust note, until the intersection (where the water level appears to be higher). Other heavy vehicles seemed to have gone through without breaking a sweat but the McLaren was swept away due to its light carbon-fiber chassis. The car hit the roadside embankment and came to a stop. The driver was left with nothing that he could do and decided to turn on his hazard lights. According to the twitter user who posted this video, the car eventually floated out and was obviously in a pretty bad state but for the driver, he was looking alright. 

The lesson here is simple – “Do not take your expensive track car for river crossing!” 

The McLaren 600LT is in no way a boat and taking a low ride-height, rear-wheel drive, 592 hp track car out on a flooded road is a thrill which can affect the pocket by quite a margin. 

What do you think the owner was thinking while going through the affected area? And have you ever gotten yourself in trouble by driving your car through a flooded road? Let me know in the comments below.

Make sure to check out my Instagram motoring page – @revv_reviews. If you are interested in quick car news snippets Follow my new page @revv_news. 

Cool Videos made by car companies to spread awareness on Covid-19

The world – “Oooh the Coronavirus is a pandemic! What should we do! How can I contribute?”

Car manufacturers – “Observe. We spread awareness in the coolest way possible!”

Here I have compiled a list of some of the best awareness videos by car manufacturers. I have given a link for most videos but failed to find the link for a few. Do not worry though as I have uploaded them to the article itself. So, sit back, stretch your legs, relax and enjoy quarantine!

Starting off with the German Giants (no specific order related to numbering)

1) BMW – 

Before you ask, yes BMW has changed its legendary logo. It’s part-transparent now instead of being a solid black ring. This video is calming, the background audio, everything is so well composed and balanced like many of their cars too. The best part according to me was – “Today we drive forward without driving at all”. 

2) Mercedes- 

This one has to be the classiest of the bunch. Well, Mercedes is a brand of class and their video depicts no different. The wordings appear “Another Mercedes that stands for safety” and then a smooth underline on ‘stands’, this really clears out the message easily. A neighbourhood dog bark and subtle static as the background just fits in the situation. In the end all the thank you messages come. It is safe to say that *No brain-cells were harmed in the understanding of this video.

3) Audi-

A short crisp video. Delivered fantastically. A clear message to socially distance while staying together. Great use of the 4-ringed logo to be honest. An underdog in the video too just like in real life, (Audi) does everything basic and cleanly while people prefer more shouty stuff.

4) Volkswagen-

Just like the Audis, simple and basic. A pretty long and wordy video though. The upbeat background music sets the beat just right. No non-sense video.

Now onto the Italian guy in the bunch

5) Fiat (FCA)-

Not English but I get the emotion and speech (thanks to subtitles). Knowing what Italy is going through right now makes me super sad and their representation on the matter is just amazing, considering it is under a minute! A feeling of pride and hope has been lit up by this video. The hashtag at the end is great “#NOICISIAMO” which means “All of us. Together”. This video gives me the goosebumps.

How can we forget the Brits

6) Jaguar- 

It’s a Jaaaaggg! A short and simple one. Nothing else to say on it lol.

That was my list on some of the best videos by car manufacturers to spread awareness. Which one did you like the most? And did I forget to add a video by some company that you think was equally good? Let me know in the comments below.

Fiat Linea 125S – ‘The exiled C-segment king’

Overview

The Fiat Linea 125S launched in 2014 was a facelift of the Fiat Linea classic when the company started its solo venture in the market again, leaving the shade of TATA Motors. The new model featured the classic design with more power, a redesigned interior, redesigned boot, a lot of chrome treatment and a few more tweaks. The car was way ahead of its time but was let down by the poor marketing by the company. The 1.4L turbocharged T-Jet motor produces 125ps of power and 208 Nm of torque and was and still is the most powerful sedan in its segment. Fiat may be leaving India this year due to poor sales but the story of its subsidiary brand has just started. ‘JEEP’ – a Fiat-Chrysler brand entered the Indian market 3 years back and continues to sell well. Fiat cars are still available and serviced at its old dealerships as well as the new Jeep ones.

First Impressions

The moment you enter the cabin and make yourself comfortable, the thing that grabs your attention is the beautifully finished interior with a dual-color dash, finished with a soft cloth wrap around and piano black touches. Even the cluster looks very premium and the leather-wrapped gear stick, steering wheel makes for the cherry on top of the cake. The attention to detail could be seen as in thumb resting positions have been given on the 3 and 9 o’clock positions on the steering wheel.

The car even comes feature-loaded but misses out on a sunroof. Some of the features are – ambient lighting, automatic headlamps, rain-sensing dual blade wipers, ORVM mounted turn signals, an exhaust(defuser) as stock, Infotainment system with a screen and voice commands (Blue & Me by Microsoft), Cruise control, all 4 one-touch windows, shift indicator in the MID and many more. Safety features include – front airbags, all 4-disc brakes, ABS and EBD. There is literally no place to keep stuff in this car except the 500 ltr. Massive boot space because the glove box and all the cubby holes along with the armrest are just too small.

The Ride

This is one of the areas where the Linea shines. An overtake is just a tap of your right foot. Being a Fiat one can feel the solid build quality each time he or she closes the door. The main power delivery is between 2000-5000 rpm that is when the turbocharger gets activated and keeps pulling. The pulling is on the longer side and I have noticed 95kmph in second gear and the car just loves to redline. Each shift brings it back into the pulling territory. The ergonomics aren’t the best due to the seating position and the rather big steering wheel but one adjusts quickly to these and they aren’t an issue anymore. The A-pillar blocks the view and creates a blind spot which is rather irritating. Also, the gearbox feels like there is a chewing gum stuck in there lol, the gearbox just resists to slot into reverse else the transmission is fine. There isn’t much to complain about the car as a whole. The suspension has been carried forward from the older Linea and that is a great thing because the car just velvets out all the bumps in its way. The hydraulic power steering feels very well connected, one knows where the wheels are pointing and offers a ton of feedback.

Verdict

The car is a perfect blend between the retro and the new-gen. Driving it sure does put a big smile across your face. The new features don’t let it be at a disadvantage with the newer cars. A car enthusiast can surely feel the retro and the new fuse together and produce a car that is Fast, Fun and Feature loaded. If one wants to go full OG, then an option for the Fiat Linea Classic model has also been provided by the company. Fiat Cronos – The successor to the Linea has been launched in other countries but disappointingly won’t be making it to the Indian market and this is a huge setback for all those Fiat enthusiasts. In true sense, it is a car for enthusiasts and carries with it a rich heritage.

Lastly, I would like to say that the car forms an emotional bond with the owner and that makes it more than just a car. A bond that couldn’t be expressed in mere words.

Design a site like this with WordPress.com
Get started