Fiat Punto (Second Report)

A few days later, I made a trip to Aamby Valley in Lonavala for a shoot. This is where I truly realised the Punto’s forte. Unlike many a hatchback, this car feels at home at high speeds. It pulls really well in third, fourth and even fifth, and its ride-handling balance is fantastic for a small car. Long sweeping corners, tight turns and sudden changes in elevation were all easily dispatched by the Fiat’s suspension, which while being firm enough to grip the road, is still comfortable over patches of missing tarmac. Our Punto isn’t a heavy drinker either, it’s returned a decent 15.2kpl on the whole. 

 

Over the last three months, there haven’t been any real issues with the car and I have learnt to drive in a manner where the turbo lag isn’t as bothersome. Pet peeves include  a rattle from the rear seat over bad roads (which we are planning on getting looked at soon), steering-mounted audio controls that on occasion need a firm shove before they work, and an odd, ‘steering-too-high seat-too-low’ driving position.  But, if I need to borrow a car, it’s always the Fiat’s keys I reach for, and that says a lot.