Mabuyane Kekana

Mabuyane Kekana

It's Tuesday morning, the intercom rings. The visitors are from Fiat Auto South Africa. They have brought the recently launched Grande Punto for a road test.

I look at the car and see nothing wrong with it. Having attended the launch itself, the Grande Punto seems to have the potential to do well. If only things were normal financially. I was handed the keys and bid goodbye. My test model was a 1,4-litre T-Jet Dynamic.

I look at this gorgeous Italian car and ask myself why they are not selling so well. It has always been my assertion that Fiat and Alfa make beautiful cars.

It is still morning and I get into the car to go to the office. My previous office was over 50km away, so I quickly run into the house to get CDs since I had a long way to go. I drive off to meet a deadline.

The Grande Punto is a solid car and better alternative to the mainstream brands.

I inspect the car and notice that the layout is clean and perfected by quality materials. I sing along as India Arie goes "forgiveness even if you don't love me anymore".

I am impressed by the quality of the sound system and I wonder aloud whether I would personally buy this car if I needed one. The answer was yes.

India Arie continues asking for forgiveness. I feel comfortable and relaxed. The drive is pleasant. Before I know it, I am outside the office parking.

I alighted and started to inspect the Grande Punto again; I get the same answer, a beautiful car with loads of substance.

The front looks clean and appealing, while the overall design says the Grande Punto is Italian.

The Grande Punto has some attributes that pip your mainstream cars. These are style and elegance. These you can't find in the Toyota Auri or Nissan Tiida, for example.

The 1,4-litre T-Jet delivers power output of 88kW and peak torque of 206Nm.