The different engine options, coupled with the fact that these cars have been truly designed as global products puts Fiat on rather firm territory when it comes to marketing these cars.  From all the possible permutations and combinations there has got to be a Grande Punto or a Linea for everyone.

No then, it's time we got back to driving in the snow. The entire experience of cruising around on snow covered tracks is surreal. Driving on icy tracks has got to be the ultimate test on a vehicle’s ABS, EBD, ESP, and ASR systems. The sheer lack of traction and the fact that steering inputs might not always get the wheels to turn in the right direction does make for some fun (on test track) or dangerous (on main road) driving.

Besides the excitement of trying to keep the vehicle in line and not drift is where true driving skill shows. The very fact that there are a number of gizmos and programs working simultaneously to ensure that the vehicle is straight is what winter testing is all about. All set to tackle the circle track first, I set out in a Punto and make my way around the track. In doing so, I could almost feel each system do its job in order to keep me from spinning. The diciest of all situations is braking, yet the ABS with EBD ensures that the car does not loose total control and all you get is a wavering effect. Once you get the hang of it, you can literally drift the entire circle!

Moving on from the circle, I made my way over to the handling course out on the frozen lake. Here I chose to drive a Linea. The 2.5 km track is riddled with twisties and if you choose to go fast, then you had better be prepared to eat some ice! The slightest misjudgment in power or steering input could set you off in a spin. Though the various mechanisms work their wonders, it is still possible to lose control out here. However, I decided to play safe and keep the speed under check while tackling this course and made it through without losing my rear end! These tests just go to show how much car manufacturers spend on perfecting each aspect of the vehicle. For the Linea and the Grande Punto to be able to drive in such conditions means only one thing to me, that in real world conditions these cars are going to be able handlers that will remain well planted on the road.

Fiat has been vocal about the fact that the Linea and the Grande Punto are India bound.  These two models will debut in India by the third quarter of this year.  This fact was further reiterated at the Auto Expo held in Delhi in January where both models were displayed. 

The company has also highlighted the fact that the Grande Punto will be available only with its 1.2 liter petrol engine that produces 65 BHP and the 1.3 Multijet diesel that churns out 75 BHP.  The Linea on the other hand will come with the said 1.4 liter petrol (77BHP) engine and the 1.3 Multijet tuned to produce 90 BHP as a measure to keep overall costs in check.

Incidentally, the 1.3 Multijet is the same engine that Maruti builds at their plant in Manesar for their diesel Swift.  Fiat already uses it in their Palio Stile and Tata is set to benefit from this engine thanks to their tie up with Fiat.  This particular engine is going to play a big roll in the Indian automobile scene and it also has the potential to change Fiat's fortunes in the country.

Further to this, Fiat has also made it clear that the Linea and the Grande Punto will be manufactured at their Ranjangaon facility.  The company recently signed an MoU with the Maharastra government in order to enhance their production capacity for backward integration.  The production capacity at the Ranjangaon plant post expansion will allow for the manufacturing of 2,00,000 cars, 3,00,000 engines and 3,00,000 parts and accessories annually.

It's going to be a new innings from Fiat and so far the going seems to be good.  The products are well appointed and the market is right.  The Linea and the Grande Punto are world class vehicles which have proved their mettle out on the testing fields.  The cars are elegant and have oodles of attitude.  It's time we see how they do in a crowd.