Delhi to Shimla on Petra
This was a long drive that I ached to test my fiat on. Fiat handles like Butter, and I found myself saying this line many times during my trip. There were 4 people in car and luggage in the boot. When driving uphill I had A/C on but still could easily drive the car in 3rd and 4th gear. Occasional second was needed on very steep slopes. Shimla to kufri was particularly steep but then u never feel under power. Never felt loss of traction on the roads. You could do swift overtakes on the Hills.
Overtaking is a Breeze the car gives excellent acceleration even in 5th gear. Drove from Delhi to Chandigarh in mostly the 5th gear. From 50 to 140 km/hr. Got an Average of around 14 km/hr with A/C.
This is what I wrote after BUying Petra.
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I just bought a fiat petra PETROL a week back after lot of research and analysis. It has got the best value for money. It also has bridgestone tyres that I just noticed. The car has very good gear ratios. You dont feel a break and you feel in control at all speeds. The eye for detail is very good. A very safe car. There is an indication light that comes on when the petrol in the tank is less than 6 liters. There are child locks on rear doors and rear windows. The rear seat is double folding so u have awesome space to take anything anywhere in the car. Children can sleep nicely in that space on long drives :-) that does not mean that adults can’t fit in ;-)
I bought the car from dynamic automobiles in noida and they have given me a good service. Compared to hyundai, which I found very very arrogant. They wont even arrange for a test drive for accent GLS. Anyways fiat petra has a better engine and specs than accent GLE and is 50 k cheaper. What more to ask for???
The car runs as soon as u step on the gas, you would never feel let down on power on this. One more important thing is the high ground clearance this car has. Now you dont have to worry about the speed breakers hitting the car bottom.
GO AHEAD GUYS BUY IT, YOU WONT REGRET IT!!!!!!
here is what I had written on the car after my test DRIVE---
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I was searching for cars around the 5 lacks bracket and zeroed in on Indigo and Petra.
I mailed the corporate office of Fiat for some details on Petra as they did not have any information online. I received a mail in 24 hours and a call from them. They arranged for the car to be sent to my office for a test drive. This shows VERY GOOD CUSTOMER ORIENTATION. This was something lacked by fiat earlier.
Drove the Petra, with 4 people and full AC. The gear changing is very smooth. The Power steering is so smooth I feel I can drive the car by my finger. Just a nudge to the one side and it seems the steering is reading your brains. The car is very stable. I drove it at speeds of 100 km/hr and it never felt out of control or any vibrations of any sort. Took turns at 80-90, and it just did it with no complaints. Very stable and good car to drive. It felt a bit sluggish for its specifications and I am still wondering why?? It has 100PS and 14 NM torque, DOHC engine, there is no reason for it to be sluggish. Maybe just a perception from my end. The car went over a bad patch of road at 90, and just went over it with no signs; I just felt a small vibration, but no loss in control or anything.
The boot space is huge, with the rear seat down, children and even adults can sleep comfortably in it :-).
The only negative thing that I found in the car was low head room. But that also makes the car more aerodynamic. People more than 5’11’’ will not be able to fit in it. But none in my family is that tall...nor people in India are generally that tall...
For me it?s a good buy for its price. The getz has been launched now. Getz and Petra have the same price, but getz engine is one step lower in terms of Power and torque. I will test ride the getz too, before finalizing.
Am also waiting for fiat panda to arrive. Ford, Opel and GM cars are out of purview as maintenance costs are very high. I want a car for long term, so will take a car with lower maintenance costs :-)