After much
thinking and researching, finally got my hands on the beauty - Swift VDi is all
shining armor. First look and you
know this is the car for me and once I test
drove it, fell in love with it. Booked mine on 9th June 2008 and got the
delivery within 9 days on 18th June 2008.
Dealer: Rohan, Noida
The folks@ Rohan were a little careless and did not pay attension however the
sales exective was very helpful and kind, he ensured that I would get the car
within 10 days and so I did. Glad I didnt have to wait like the rest.
Price: 5.63L On Road
First Feel:
Being m
y first Car, I took great pleasure driving my little beatuty out of
the showroom. When I drove it - I could feel the superior Fiat Altec3 Multijet
Engine churn out power under the hood. The 75 horses lives up to my
expectations. The torque on this babe is an amazing 190nm which is far ahead of
the rest in its class.
I had to really be very careful when pressing the accelerator - the car simply
wants to take off. The sad part however is that the engineers @ Maruti suggest
you to drive it within 2000rpm or 70kmph for the first 1000kms. So why is it
the sad part??? Well the turbo kicks in @ 2000rpm and then its the open road
and the others cars can get a good look at your cars tail light - coz it takes off
totally.
VDi is running one of the most advanced compact diesel engines in the world. As
it features on the Fiat Punto as well in Europe and will be seen in India soon. I
would say the engine noise is surely higher when compared to its Pertrol
counterpart (about 15-20% louder) but dont mind that because of the driving
pleasure totally compensates for this. You cant expect to compare a diesel
engine with a pertrol - not happening. My VDi is giving me an amazing 17.5kmpl average
in Delhi with
ac on about 70% of the time. Just for the record - I have clocked just 600 kms
yet. Just waiting for the first service before I take her out on the highway to
end of the road...for a long trip. I was told me that after the first service
the average should touch 19kmpl and after 2nd service - about 20 in city.
I am totally happy with my VDi. I feel very proud to have made the ri8 choice
actually. Excellent engine from Fiat - very quite and extremely peppy. Id say
the VXi is good and quiet so if thats ur
criteria for selection - then petrol makes sense. Body noise is going to set in
no matter VXi or VDi. But can be fixed on service by putting in dampers etc.
Diesel has its own advantages over petrol:
- its meant to driven longer and at steady speeds without much effect to the
engine (engine is designed to take stress)
- Running cost - though slightly higher than petrol (about 20-25% more than
petrol) however the low fuel costs compensate for it
- Noise is slightly more then petrol but with the ac on and stereo playing
"no difference"
- advantage of Diesel is that it comes packed with a Turbo charger and
intercooler. An awesome multilet common rail diesel engine indeed. Won the
Engine of the yr award in UK 2005. Turbo charger kicks in at 2000rpm and wow is
all I can say. The car feels like a sports car suddenly. Very very peppy and
responsive engine.
- VXi Torque 113nm | VDi torque is a woooping 190nm (you know the difference
when u push the peddle)
- Petrol will give an average of 10-12 in city while the diesel should give
18-20kmpl in city
- Petrol servicing @ 5000 kms. Diesel servicing @ 10,000kms each
Average - Pick up - Performance - low maintainence - stylePlastic Interiors, Cabin Noise and Low visibility on Rear View Mirrors & AB Pillars when backing