Yesterday I went for a testdrive in a 1.3 MJTD 90bhp Dynamic. I thought I'd write up my impressions as this was my first drive in both a diesel and a Fiat. My most recent car has been a VW Golf Mk IV 1.6 petrol (admitedly from a somewaht different class) so that's my point of reference.
Engine
Smoother and freer reving than my preconceptions of a diesel. In town (I'm in London) 'stop start' progress felt less 'linear' than in the Golf. When you pull away things seem a bit slow until the turbo starts to have a noticeable effect around 1800 rpm. Above 10-15mph though responsivenes was fine.
On the motorway the engine was very good. I didn't notice a 'wall of torque' effect, though again if you let the revs drop much below 1800rpm you have to wait for the turbo to spin up before you get much thrust. On paper the 1.3 MJTD has 25% more torque than the Golf 1.6 and it felt like it. At 70-80mph accelerating past trucks felt easier in the Punto than the Golf.
Gearbox
Generally fine. Light but a bit notchy. Clutch was light (which I like, the heavier clutch on the Golf can make my knee ache around town).
Steering
Weighting and precision seemed fine, both around town and at speed (better than a Golf V I testdrove which seemed much too light and assisted). Steering seemed to 'firm up' quite a lot at speed, which I presume is a function of the electric assist mechanism.
Brakes
I was trying to drive smoothly, so all I can say is they felt a bit lighter than the Golf's but it was still easy to brake progressively and smoothly.
Noise / refinement
On the motorway this was very good and relaxed. There's not much engine, wind or tyre noise. Quieter than the petrol Golf where at 70mph the engine is spinning at busy 3500rpm or more.
Around town you're aware of a muted diesel 'growl', but only in a distant way.
With the windows down its obviously a diesel, but not particularly clattery.
Economy
The trip computer has an 'instant mpg' mode. On the motorway I saw 70 mpg come up a few times, but this figure does tend to drop back to the 50s on inclines or if you go much above 65mph. Mid to high 50s look possible for a 70mph cruise though, bearing in mind the car was brand new.
The salesman thought a realistic around town figure (ie trips where the engine spends a lot of time just warming up) would be 35mpg or so.
Final thoughts
I liked the Punto. I like the way it drove, and of course its styling. Except for one rather strange thing.
As we got into the car the sales guy warned me that the (brand new) demonstrator had already been in the workshop because it had been emitting a 'strange noise', but they couldn't trace the fault.
Perhaps 5 or 6 times on a 40 minute drive the car emitted a loud shreiking / squealing noise after changing up a gear, which lasted a few seconds then went away.
After the drive the sales guy apologised and said they would have to get Fiat to find the problem.
So I came away a bit confused. Do Fiat still have quality problems? Has anyone else driven a 1.3 MJTD 90 bhp without problems?
Engine
Smoother and freer reving than my preconceptions of a diesel. In town (I'm in London) 'stop start' progress felt less 'linear' than in the Golf. When you pull away things seem a bit slow until the turbo starts to have a noticeable effect around 1800 rpm. Above 10-15mph though responsivenes was fine.
On the motorway the engine was very good. I didn't notice a 'wall of torque' effect, though again if you let the revs drop much below 1800rpm you have to wait for the turbo to spin up before you get much thrust. On paper the 1.3 MJTD has 25% more torque than the Golf 1.6 and it felt like it. At 70-80mph accelerating past trucks felt easier in the Punto than the Golf.
Gearbox
Generally fine. Light but a bit notchy. Clutch was light (which I like, the heavier clutch on the Golf can make my knee ache around town).
Steering
Weighting and precision seemed fine, both around town and at speed (better than a Golf V I testdrove which seemed much too light and assisted). Steering seemed to 'firm up' quite a lot at speed, which I presume is a function of the electric assist mechanism.
Brakes
I was trying to drive smoothly, so all I can say is they felt a bit lighter than the Golf's but it was still easy to brake progressively and smoothly.
Noise / refinement
On the motorway this was very good and relaxed. There's not much engine, wind or tyre noise. Quieter than the petrol Golf where at 70mph the engine is spinning at busy 3500rpm or more.
Around town you're aware of a muted diesel 'growl', but only in a distant way.
With the windows down its obviously a diesel, but not particularly clattery.
Economy
The trip computer has an 'instant mpg' mode. On the motorway I saw 70 mpg come up a few times, but this figure does tend to drop back to the 50s on inclines or if you go much above 65mph. Mid to high 50s look possible for a 70mph cruise though, bearing in mind the car was brand new.
The salesman thought a realistic around town figure (ie trips where the engine spends a lot of time just warming up) would be 35mpg or so.
Final thoughts
I liked the Punto. I like the way it drove, and of course its styling. Except for one rather strange thing.
As we got into the car the sales guy warned me that the (brand new) demonstrator had already been in the workshop because it had been emitting a 'strange noise', but they couldn't trace the fault.
Perhaps 5 or 6 times on a 40 minute drive the car emitted a loud shreiking / squealing noise after changing up a gear, which lasted a few seconds then went away.
After the drive the sales guy apologised and said they would have to get Fiat to find the problem.
So I came away a bit confused. Do Fiat still have quality problems? Has anyone else driven a 1.3 MJTD 90 bhp without problems?
