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Untitled Document

Fiat Diesel Drives India : Special Feature

   
Fiat's Diesel Mass Appeal
Fiat's Diesel Mass Appeal

We've all heard about the famous 1.3 multi jet diesel from the Fiat stable.

   
The Drive Route
The Drive Route

1400 km to traverse, 4 Fiat Multijet equipped cars to be piloted and your very own colleagues for company.

   
 	Fiat Multijet drive - The engine story
Fiat Multijet drive - The engine story

"Fiat Diesel Drives India" might sound like a rather bold claim to make, but it's not entirely untrue either.

   
 Related Story Links
  Fiat Grande Punto twin test: 1.3 Multijet & 1.4 FIRE
  Road Test: Fiat Linea Emotion
  First Drive: Fiat 500 ~ Mighty Mouse!
   
The Multijet Powers More !
  Road Test: Maruti Suzuki Swift Diesel
  Tata Indigo Manza
  Tata Indica Vista Quadrajet
   

Slideshow

Fiat Multijet Drive Day One
Fiat Multijet Drive Day 1

The first leg of this gruelling 10,000 km drive was headed towards Chiplun where the 5 Fiat Multijets were tested on the open highways
 

Fiat Multijet Drive Day 2
Fiat Multijet Drive Day 2

Day 2 of the Fiat Multijet Drive started off in Chiplun with the clouds beating down on the on the entire town.
 
   

Fiat Multijet Drive - Day 3
Fiat Multijet Drive - Day 3

ll of 700 km to be covered to reach our final destination, Bangalore.
 
   


  Blog


Tripping on Fiat's Diesels
Author Details: See full profile
 


User's Comments

  • vijay (09 July 2010 12:23)
    i have a palio stile abt 2 years old the engine has gone for a toss.sincere request do not buy fiat cars they are cheats | Reply
  • Sunil (01 February 2010 15:06)
    I own a palio and in Udaipur Rajasthan, and the after sales service was not available for 5 years and now TATA is pretending to be servicing Fiat but the facts is they are so engrossed in servicing TATA junk cars that hardly they find time to pay attention to Fiat. Silver Lining ? I have not been to the service centre for years now and except for small oil/filter changes etc my FIAT has been running on and on..Touch Wood ..!!! | Reply
  • PRADEEP SHARMA (01 February 2010 11:03)
    I own Fiat Punto 1.3.Multijet Top End Model | Reply
  • dk (16 January 2010 15:21)
    Well said, NV. I own a 10 year old Fiat siena and still get service, instantly. It's a comfortable car and very easy to handle in the city or on the highway. The Indian motorists were put off by Premier Auto marketing junk in the name of Fiat for decades. For stability and road handling, no one can match a Fiat, in India.About Maruti service, I get very indifferent service, wherein another problem crops up within a few days of service. | Reply
 Chandra (07 February 2010 23:56) Reply to dk
where do u get ur maruti serviced?which model and make do u own? | Reply
  • sheen (27 December 2009 21:01)
    its high time fiat stops supplying engine to suzuki worldwide as they have tie up with Tata and VW already going steady with suzuki.Once they stp multijet suzuki will be nowhere and Tata can lead the market with multijet and the likes | Reply
  • Sumit (15 December 2009 22:36)
    plz dont compare maruti with fiat. maruti is in india for three decades and fiat is sincerely trying to establish itself. Fiat had ruled indian roads in 60 and 70's. they r back with new technologies. give them time they will back to the top. Punto and Linea r so finely tuned cars they hardly need to be taken to the service station. their A.S.S have improved with TATA. | Reply
  • Sumit (16 November 2009 17:21)
    Fiat is the best. | Reply
 JN Nambiar (17 November 2009 20:24) Reply to Sumit
I would prefer a car fitted with FIAT engine to a Fiat car. Say, Swift Diesel. You know the reasons. Service, Spares,maintenance cost, etc. etc. an array of predicaments....Think of it. In short, FIAT is probably the best diesel engine makers and the worst car makers. | Reply
 Kedar (25 November 2009 15:34) Reply to JN Nambiar
FIAT Drives the world.FIAT is ALL TIME BEST. | Reply
 Rameez Rahman Qatar (21 November 2009 17:02) Reply to JN Nambiar
Absolutely,Mr.Nambiar. We do not see many FIAT in the Middle East. I wonder why?? Fiat is a funny old firm. They do not have aesthetic sense. Like some one commented, they are still in 80 s . They need to be dragged to this 21st century. I never thought that Swift would last only for a few kilometres. I guess it is a world hit. then, I have been using Maruti Zen (1997) even today. I changed the clutch mechanism once. Engine is still in mint condition and the vehicle has crossed 1.8 lakh kilometres. So, Maruti is also not a bad brand, friend. Our perceptions differ. Whatsoever, Fiat is the best engine maker and of course not the best cars. I wont say, the worst. but one of the bad cars. | Reply
 sam (24 April 2010 12:17) Reply to Rameez Rahman Qatar
even sujuki does not sell in middle east... so dont compare maruti with fiat , there is no comparison... maruti is only sold in 3rd world countries like ours and may be bangladesh otherwise no one knows them for cars, they are known for their bikes worldwide..
 Sumit  (19 November 2009 15:20) Reply to JN Nambiar
but swift diesel is good only for few thousand kms. Fiat cars r best designed for indian conditions, they dont need much maintaince and replacement of spares. and we tend to compare everything with maruti. its just a matter of time when Fiat will be back in recking. i think Fiat is the best engine and car maker! | Reply
 Moiz (17 November 2009 23:07) Reply to JN Nambiar
Your right best engine makers and worst car makers due to poor branding and they still behave like they are in the early 90's stage. They need to get rid of the old men in their planning and engineering depts. | Reply
  • Aditya (09 November 2009 12:50)
    FIAT Cars are cool, I am driving a FIAT palio since 5 years now..let me tell you that the driving comfort of Palio cannot be compared to other cars in that class ...its even better the swift which came on to road much later...and service no problem ..spare parts may be a problem ..but this car wont take you to service center much..its robust ...above all I believe in city drive comfort is a big factor...u spend 100 rs and get a good car to drive ...u may spend 70 but just get a car to move around..choice is yours | Reply
  • amit kale (08 November 2009 15:04)
    i had booked palio diesel , but changed my mind . i was wondered whether i would get good after sales services. though TATA has taken over, i really doubt the efficient and good staff. | Reply
  • Phani (07 November 2009 04:04)
    Fiat should also launch the 1.9Mutijet in high-end Linea. that will give a real boost to Linea sales | Reply
 NV (15 January 2010 11:12) Reply to Phani
Very true, currently I am using 1.9 D palio and it is awesome, its a mini SUV. Good news is that fiat is launching linea 1.6 Multijet, its gona be powerful yet fuel efficient. | Reply
  • Agam (06 November 2009 23:47)
    FIAT => First In All Tests :) It is the best car | Reply
 Shiv (16 November 2009 01:26) Reply to Agam
But hopeless service in india and delay in getting spares, is a problem you have to live with. | Reply
  • Pratul Athaiya (05 November 2009 00:26)
    I find it difficult to get serviced and spares of my Palio 1.2ELX in Jaipur.No doubt car is good but after sales are very poor. | Reply
 S Manohar (06 November 2009 16:06) Reply to Pratul Athaiya
That's why one should always buy a Maruti | Reply
 NV (15 January 2010 11:33) Reply to S Manohar
Maruti Service centers are not good either, they are just into money making bussines. Each and every guy u come across while servicing ur car is given a specific target, and accordingly there performance is judged. So they make u spend more money so that there targets are achieved. I had a Maruti Esteem and I still have a Palio Diesel, Why? Because I had to service my esteem every five months, and I service my palio one in a year. And trust me once u drive a fiat u will know what that car is. And those who think fiat cannot build good cars should have good sense of hummer, as fiat also builds ferraris and maseratis. | Reply
  • Sumit (04 November 2009 21:13)
    Fiat will be the leader in automobile market in 3-4 yrs time. Fiat A.S.S is not that bad. they are making a sincere attempt to improve all the weak links. | Reply
 saani (16 November 2009 18:58) Reply to Sumit
may be sager dosnot know the ford is the best car maker no budy can compair its model to any manufacturer | Reply
  • Dudu (04 November 2009 10:47)
    Why Zig Wheels do not talk or write about 'Ford Fusion' diesel version? You talk about Swift Diesel, Logan Diesel, Fabia Diesel and so on.... but not Fusion Diesel? Do you people have Ford phobia? | Reply
 saani (16 November 2009 18:55) Reply to Dudu
dear u r right same comment frome me also. | Reply
 Sagar (04 November 2009 12:27) Reply to Dudu
I guess they dont talk abt outdated vehicles .. ;) | Reply
 jaishankar (04 November 2009 12:49) Reply to Sagar
no such thing as outdated vehicles,only outdated ideas and attitudes.The Indian consumer is often clueless abt what he/she wants,and relies more on hearsay than own experience,so let`s talk of ALL diesels,and their performance in varying conditions rather than apply one yardstick to all !! the market is open !! | Reply
 Sagar (05 November 2009 09:54) Reply to jaishankar
Vehicles become outdated when they can not keep up with new technologies, which includes engines as well. Ford engines, currently provided in Fusion and Fiesta, are old and OUTDATED !!!
  • Abid H Khatri (04 November 2009 09:44)
    Tatas, Fords, Fiat, Maruti have not realized importance of launching Automatic cars. Maruti once had outdated 3 speed automatic cars. They have made same mistake by launching 4 speed automatic SX4 when the world has moved to 6 speed automatic and Xtronic CVT. | Reply
  • Sagar (04 November 2009 09:22)
    Well since this was a Fiat advertizing drive, they did not take the cars that have the best settings for the same engine. The Swift and The Ritz. The only car that would have driven better in this story is Fiat 500 which has excellent driving dynamics. | Reply
  • Rajiv (04 November 2009 07:54)
    Fiat cars are really good... But the after sales sucks and the high handed attitude of Fiat/TATA personnel is something to ponder upon before buying a Fiat Car. Plus the fact that spare parts are not available (even for a car which is not even a year old) can leave you frustrated... | Reply
 Shiv (16 November 2009 01:32) Reply to Rajiv
The fiat engine works well in all mountainous terrains but it as the engine gets old it is not good any more and continues to do well ony in the plains. | Reply
  • Nishit (04 November 2009 02:09)
    i agree with sumit....i've not a had bad experience with the aftersales at all....they have done some major imprvement in that area.... | Reply
  • D S Sandhu (03 November 2009 22:27)
    There is no doubt about quality of engines from FIAT but where it lacks is in After SALE SERVICE part.All have seen scintillating performance of FIAT engine in Maruti Swift (diesel)/ tata vista but with best/pushing after sale service/spare parts being provided by maruti dealers people are goingfor swift madly and not looking for PUNTO even though it looks great in its class.So Fiat India should look into this facet. This would be good for Fiat if they want to hold their market share in near future.Even Though their collaboration with tata hasnt been so fruitful becoz of lack of spare parts and overpriced servicing as people think tata too shells out from servicing.I think the above factors lead to fall of their popular PALIO car. | Reply
 NARENDRA M DESAI (04 November 2009 21:38) Reply to D S Sandhu
I dont know why auto magazines are after Fiat service, may because they dont give sufficient advtz in their magazines or dont entertain reporters. Beacuse my association with Fiat is since last y years Palio 1.9D which is still going great guns. Tell me any other car in the world offering 1900cc diesel car at Rs.4.25 lacs launching price. And our stupid customers and magazines compared it with Indica saying Fiat Palio 1.9D is 1 lac costlier than Indica. Take a look at 6 year old Palios and 6 year old Indica. Auto magazines have become like NEWS channels. EAST OR WEST FIAT IS THE BEST | Reply
 Mahesh (06 November 2009 18:55) Reply to NARENDRA M DESAI
Agreed not to compare with any Tata cars,But why are you forgetting Maruti is also there in market.Why dont u compare with Maruti and see which 1 is best. | Reply
  • dr b kurian (03 November 2009 21:49)
    and a msg to fiat india...try to launch a product in its all available varients and transmission and engine options,like you do it in the west..the consumers will definetly appreciate that | Reply
 Mahesh (06 November 2009 18:56) Reply to dr b kurian
FIAT is no where near comparable to Maruti-Suzuki. | Reply
  • dr binoy kurian (03 November 2009 21:46)
    a request to fiat india...pls bring on the automatic diesel version either in grande punto or in linea ..i have seen that other countries ,fiat already have a fiat linea diesel automatic..then why not in india..it will make your position a level higher | Reply
  • Sumit (03 November 2009 19:46)
    Fiat is the best. | Reply
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