The mile-high cumulonimbus rain clouds just over the horizon are amassing like an invading army, steadily turning the sky to slate grey. But we aren’t paying attention. We’ve clapped our eyes on the pair of Grande Puntos we’ve just been given and can’t get over how stunning Fiat’s brand-new hatchback looks. The long nose wouldn’t be out of place on a Maserati and the compact rear with those angled, high-mounted lights gives the Fiat hatch a sporty look. Sure these cars look good on these pages, but wait till you see them in the flesh.
STORMING DRIVE
Our appreciation of master designer Giugiaro’s gorgeous lines comes to a quick end. The cool buffeting breeze and swirling leaves are disturbed by a massive crack of lightning, soon followed by loud thunder and large drops of rain. With no chance of getting any pictures and to avoid getting soaked, we dive into the cars. There’s nothing to do except go for a drive. So with headlights on and wipers flapping, we set out to see how if the Grande Punto drives as well as it looks. At first, we take it easy to get ourselves acquainted with the car and the extreme weather. Large puddles are already forming and visibility at times is bad.
Immediately the Grande Punto impresses. The doors shut with a weighty thud you only get in European cars. You feel nicely cocooned from the outside elements and insulation from the road is pretty good; the sound of pouring rain is distant now. In the half-light, the dash looks quite attractive with the glow from the chrome-ringed dials.
