General Mk2.5 1.4 Sporting vs Grande Punto 1.4 Sporting

[GreekGod]

Just curious to find out the differences in performance matters between the 2 cars. I'm a Mk2.5 14 sporting and I wish to find out the how slower/faster the new car with the Starjet is. The performance of the Mk2.5 was amazing. 190km on the speedometer and very fast acceleration. Faster than a POLO 1.4 101hp, faster than a Ren Clio 100hp and Ibiza 101hp. When it comes to a twisty road the car is much faster than the other three cars above (yes I'm a good driver:slayer: ) Also is there any major improvment in road comfort and handling? The mk2.5 has extremely bad road comfort even with 15"!
waiting for your opinions!

 

[Sporty]

Katarxas Kalispera,.....apo ellada sou apantw alla tha ta grapsw se agglika gia na diavazoun kai oi loipoi sto forum.....so...

I can answer pretty much your questions since I had a MK2B 1.4 for 2 years (done 35000 km) and since last month I have a GP Sporting (done 6000 km).

First of all we must consider as a fact the far better looks of the GP, the improved quality (sense of better car overall), is better built, more spacious, better driving position and better extra equipment (Skydome, Leather seats, Blue & Me, etc).

Handling is overall improved on the Sporting version. The steering is not perfect but better than the MK2b,...the gearbox is good (also seems a bit better - not huge difference though), on highway is stable you don't understand much from what is happening outside, on corners is better (ESP also),...and despite the 17" wheels the suspension comfort is acceptible,..after all if you want a very comfy car you don't go for the Sporting version...correct?

Braking (with discs everywhere) is much better and finally we end up with the engine......

The car is slower than the MK2B....for sure.....of course can reach speeds of 180km or more (a friend says that he reached 195Km,...I have seen 185km)...but on acceleration is slower and feels slower.

Not huge difference but noticable from someone who has driven both cars.

Fiat claims 0-100 in 11.4"........my efforts gave me abt 12.5" best (but my car is loaded with extras),....so maybe a time around 11.8" - 12" is possible.

The MK2B was claimed to be 9.6" for 0-100 but it was abt 10 - 10.5....so i guess u can understand the difference. My opinion is that the major diference though is on acceleration while moving,....on 2nd gear and on the 4th, 5th .....lack of enough torque could say (always compared to MK2b).....Major reason for all the above is the weight of the car as well as the 17" wheels.

Generally i think the Starjet is good, but this body needs a bit more....

I guess that a GP with 1.6 107-110 HP would be ideal for those who don't want a Turbo or a Diesel.

 

[x Alex x]

theyre the same engine and about the same weight mk2b looks better imo, gp looks too much like a mk1 focus

 

[Bob in disguise]

They're not the same engine, theyre similar but the GP starjet 1.4 is more efficent and has lower emissions than the old 1.4 16v in the mk2b...

The mk2b looks too much like a VW polo for my liking

As for the GP looking like a ford focus you must be seeing something i cant....

Punto rear

Focus rear

Punto front

Focus front

Punto side

Focus side

 

[ChrisUK]

I agree nothing like a fucus. I think the mk2.5b Sporting would have the clear advantage on the straights but the GP would spank it on the corners. Ive owned the mk2.5b Sporting and had the GP 1.4 Sporting for about 4 days (Extended Test drive shall we say and had 2500miles on it when I got it). I must say the mk2.5b was alot more willing to accelerate but had a really bad ride and corners where a laff to say the least where as its a much better ride in the GP and much more willing to corner at speed.

 

[OxO]

also teh wheels could have alot to do with the 0-60, chrisUK had 17" OZ superleggras on his and it did affect his 0-60.

try sticking 15" mk2b sporting alloys on the Gpunto sporting and then check the 0-60 of it. i think it would make a huge difference but it would look naf and youd loose alot of top end speed!

 

[Shauncorwyn]

also teh wheels could have alot to do with the 0-60, chrisUK had 17" OZ superleggras on his and it did affect his 0-60.

try sticking 15" mk2b sporting alloys on the Gpunto sporting and then check the 0-60 of it. i think it would make a huge difference but it would look naf and youd loose alot of top end speed!

Wheel size should not make a difference as every inch on the wheel you increase you then reduce the tyre profile so the actual total diameter is the same thus speed would not change unless you fit the wrong profile tyres.

 

[ChrisUK]

Wheel size should not make a difference as every inch on the wheel you increase you then reduce the tyre profile so the actual total diameter is the same thus speed would not change unless you fit the wrong profile tyres.

Not as simple as that im affraid there is rim weight to take into account also which is why light wheels give better performance but cost more due to the material in use.

 

[Sporty]

Shauncorwyn .....what you say is about correct but.....

the MK2B has 185/55/R15 if I am correct....

the GP Sporting has 205/45/R17.....

My opinion is that the above two are not the same....and you can easily see it by eye,....the wheels of the GP (together with tyre) are bigger ....no doubt.

Furthermore, don't ignore the wider tyres.....205 instead of 185......makes difference.....

In my MK2b when I changed the tyres,.....I placed 195 instead of 185 and immediately felt the difference....

 

[Shauncorwyn]

Not as simple as that im affraid there is rim weight to take into account also which is why light wheels give better performance but cost more due to the material in use.

I think rubber is lighter than alloy - small wheels need more rubber - large wheels have less rubber more alloy.
I do get what your saying though -

 

[OxO]

yeah but larger alloys = wider = lots of rubber!

 

[x Alex x]

They're not the same engine, theyre similar but the GP starjet 1.4 is more efficent and has lower emissions than the old 1.4 16v in the mk2b...

The mk2b looks too much like a VW polo for my liking

As for the GP looking like a ford focus you must be seeing something i cant....

Punto rear

Focus rear

Punto front

Focus front

Punto side

Focus side

Seeing that makes me realise they're more alike than a first thought, and as for the mk 2.5 looking like a VW polo, they're much better looking than a focus AND incase you hadn't noticed there are lots and lots of cars that look similar

 

[Bob in disguise]

Seeing that makes me realise they're more alike than a first thought, and as for the mk 2.5 looking like a VW polo, they're much better looking than a focus AND incase you hadn't noticed there are lots and lots of cars that look similar

Did your guide dog tell you that?

Go run back to your section or sit the other way up cause you'd make more sense....

 

[Sporty]

Actually seeing the photos of the GP and the Focus,....but also after notice on the streets,....I can find only one area where they look similar and that is the area under the rear lights.....the shape of the cars at this point until the opening of the back door....apart from that ........no comparison.