The Italian car manufacturer, Fiat has been in the Indian market for a very long time but has failed to really make a good impression on the minds of the Indian customers. No, don’t think they produce bad cars. On the contrary, Fiat has one of the best looking cars both in the hatchback and in the sedan segment in the Indian automobile market. However, the main thorn in the bush is their lack of an aggressive approach for the Indian market, be it in term of product revision or dealership expansion.

Till date, Fiat used to sell its products via the Tata brand showrooms which gave a big blow to tis brand image. Very recently Fiat has called off the agreement and has taken a decision to open its own branded dealerships called “Fiat Cafes” which are aimed at not just being a car showroom but a car showroom with an all new customer experience. Fiat’s offerings for the Indian market, the Punto and the Linea have aged quite a lot in terms of styling and thus its volumes have dropped significantly in comparison to its new take overs; the Hyundai Verna, Volkswagen Vento and the Skoda Rapid.

However, a Brazilian auto website has come up with a facelift rendering of what might be the next Fiat Linea. Fiat India CEO Mr. Rajeev Kapoor had also hinted at Fiat bringing in a facelift to the Indian market sometime in the near future. Looking at the renderings, its clearly evident that the overall look of the car remains the same with just some minor modifications here and there. Will the actual facelift of the next generation Fiat Linea look like this?

Renderings Source – AutoSegredos

The Fiat Linea was launched way back in 2007 and has been successful in emerging markets like Turket, where the fan following for this Italian beauty is quite massive. With 5-years with almost no changes to the vehicle, FIAT engineers in Europe has commenced testing of a new model, which will go on sale later this year. The facelifted Linea is not a drastically different from the current model, which is quite shocking. FIAT should be thinking of launching the next generation Linea at this moment but instead they are resorting to minor updates to keep the Linea brand going.

The 2013 Fiat Linea now gets new front, new head lights, new front fender, new alloy wheels, new tail lights, new rear bumper and a new boot lid. The interiors will also be spurced up with slight changes, while the engines will receive more power along with the addition of the 1.4-liter MultiAir engine to the range. The 1.4-liter MultiAir motor produces 168 BHP of power, while the non-MultiAir version produces 153 BHP of power. The facelifted Linea will go on sale by the end of 2012, but don’t expect Fiat to launch this in India anytime soon.

Source – WorldCarFans

Fiat has launched the 2012 Linea and 2012 Punto in India. However the 2012 versions are not much different than the 2011 counterparts and have no changes to their mechanicals whatsoever. Fiat has just changed features and variants and revised prices, keeping them introductory for the moment. Both the cars continue to be powered by the same 1.3-liter Multijet diesel and 1.4-liter FIRE petrol engines. The Grande Punto is also powered by a 1.2-liter FIRE petrol engine. A new colour, Oceanic Blue also debuts on the 2012 Fiats. Fuel efficiency is improved on both the Punto and Linea. The diesel Linea now returns 20.4 kmpl while the petrol Linea returns 14.6 kmpl. The Punto 1.2 returns 15.2 kmpl, the Punto 1.4 returns 14.6 kmpl and the Punto 1.3 diesel returns 20.3 kmpl. Fiat also revealed its plans to open 22 exclusive Fiat branded showrooms across India in 2012. These will be in agreement with Tata Motors. The 2012 Fiat Linea and Grande Punto now have a ground clearance of 185mm, with the Punto 1.2 Petrol having a ground clearance of 195mm.

2012 Fiat Punto and Linea Prices (ex-showroom Delhi)

“At FIAT it is our constant endeavor to provide customers with newer and better cars with timely upgradation in comfort and technology. Since customer satisfaction is of utmost importance, we continuously look at ways to provide better value through our cars. With the launch of 2012 Linea and Punto this year our customer can enjoy an experience which is delightful and uniquely FIAT,” Mr. Rajeev Kapoor, President and CEO, FIAT India, said.

The Italian automotive giant, Fiat SpA has come up with its latest iteration of its product, the Bravo. The Bravo is a hatchback which was first launched in 2007. The Bravo was sprawled longer to create the Fiat Linea. The Linea has been around in the markets for quite a long time now and we feel it’s high time they brought out some change to the product. It looks like Fiat is also thinking the same as us. Recent reports have emerged which show a Fiat car that is possibly the upcoming Fiat Linea. Fiat plans to introduce the new model by 2013 in the international market.

The picture of the 2012 Fiat Linea has been revealed in some European car magazine. Reports also reveal that the styling of the car revealed here is actually very close to production model. Looking the front styling, it has been a lot different than the existing Linea. The front fascia looks really aggressive and the headlights have been styled differently. The hood has also been provided with a aggressively styled scoop for better aerodynamics. The 2013 Fiat Linea is going to compete with the Ford Focus, Chevrolet Cruze and the Toyota Corolla in the international markets. The new 2013 Fiat Linea is based on the CUSW (C-EVO US Wide) platform is a lengthened and widened version of the C-EVO platform on which cars like the Alfa Romeo Giuletta are also built. This car is going to be powered by a 1.4 litre engine which is equipped with Multi-Air variable valve timing that is mated to a 6 speed dual clutch transmission. There is likely to a 2.4 litre Chrysler engine made available in select markets.

Source – Autoten

Car tested: 2011 Fiat Linea 1.3L Multijet Emotion Pack

Price OTR Mumbai: Rs. 10,06,003/-

Competition in the C-segment has grown massively. A decade ago, there were only two cars fighting it out – The Honda City and the Mitsubishi Lancer. Today, there are close to ten! The Fiat Linea is one of those cars which deserves special applause for the way it looks. At one time the most beautiful car in the C-segment, does buying the Linea make sense today? The petrol offerings are very value for money and the T-Jet offers extremely exhilarating performance. We have already reviewed the Linea T-Jet (here) and the Linea Petrol (here), so will keep this review specific to the engine of the Linea diesel.

The Linea is powered by the famed 1.3-liter Multijet motor which has powered quite a few cars to success in India. This 1248 cc engine produces 90 BHP of power at 4000 RPM and 20.4 KGM of torque at 1750 RPM. With a power to weight ratio of 75.92 BHP per tonne, the Linea diesel is by no means a tarmac scorcher. However, don’t be deceived by the performance on paper, because on the road, the Linea is quite a decent performer. The variable geometry turbocharger ensures good performance at low engine speeds, while mid-range performance is more than adequate.

Turn on the ignition of this Fiat and you immediately hear the Multijet powertrain come to life. Noise insulation could have been better even though the idle is smooth and almost vibration less. Power delivery is not very linear and the kick in the pants feel, although very minor, is certainly present. A small amount of turbo lag is evident with the turbocharger’s boost coming around 1800 RPM. Midrange is little noisy but the Linea pulls with punch and will easily redline at 4500 RPM. The gearing is short which is very good for city driving and can put bigger diesel cars to shame. This short gearing gives the Linea a fuel economy figure of 13 kmpl in the city and 18 kmpl on the highway.

Out on the highway, the mid-range of the Linea is more than enough for overtaking. However, outright acceleration is nothing to talk about and the Linea Diesel takes all of 15 seconds to reach 100 kmph and 30 seconds to reach 140 kmph. Top speed is a little shy of 170 kmph and the shift action is extremely light and trouble free. However with the more powerful diesel cars being offered from Hyundai and Volkswagen, the Linea feels underpowered compared to them. Fiat needs to launch the 1.6-liter Multijet to ensure power seeking customers consider the Linea.

When the Linea arrived in 2009, it was greeted with car of the year awards. Sadly though nobody even talks about the Linea anymore. Fiat has not really bothered much with marketing activities in India. The sales of the Linea have been declining steadily and nothing is being done to improve them. This car has huge potential but with the poor service experience and lackluster brand awareness, the Linea will continue to be brought by only Fiat fans, who understand the true potential of this machine.

Fiat India has announced its intent to increase its focus on exports as the company looks at increasing its sales in the country. The Italian automaker has exported the Fiat Linea to Sri Lanka, where Speed Italia is the official dealer. The first batch of cars which is set for the export comprises of 72 cars of which 50 cars have been allotted to the Sri Lankan Air Force officials on delivery at the time of the inauguration. The Linea 1.4 Emotion Pack is the model being sent to the island country. Fiat is also looking at exploring other right hand drive markets such as Bhutan and Australia. The car market size in Sri Lanka is around 20,000 units per annum and Fiat expects to sell 1000 units in the first year. Fiat India also exports cars to South Africa and Nepal and have till date exported 4000 units of the Grande Punto and Linea to these countries.

“The Fiat Linea has been very well received by customers and auto enthusiasts in India as it has redefined the segment with its superior design, stylish looks, performance and precision engineering. The exports of the Linea to Sri Lanka plays a significant role in reaching out to the international markets and establishing our presence globally. We are confident that we will be able to procreate the success of this car overseas as well and thereby expand our footprint and brand identity across markets. This is a step in the direction of reaffirming our position as an international auto giant,” Mr. Rajeev Kapoor, CEO, Fiat India, said.

Fiat is running a promotional campaign ‘Diesel at the price of petrol’ wherein Grande Punto and Linea buyers will get a chance to own a diesel Linea or Punto at the price of the petrol variant or receive equivalent cash back. Many winners will qualify for fuel vouchers for a full 1 year’s supply of petrol or diesel. All buyers of Fiat cars in July will be provided free fuel for three months (worth Rs. 13,500/-) in addition to discounts on first year’s insurance and free 50 months road side assistance along with exchange bonus of upto Rs. 20,000/- for upgrading to a Linea or Grande Punto. Linea T-Jet buyers will be eligible for discount of Rs. 1,00,000/-.

“Across the world, diesel technology has evolved and diesel cars are no longer considered inferior to petrol cars. With the rise in petrol prices, diesel cars make for an even more attractive proposition and Fiat has been leading the diesel revolution across the world and even in India. The multitudes of cars which sport Fiat’s multijet engines are a testimony to this fact. With ‘Diesel at the price of Petrol’ we plan to help more car owners have the joy of owning a Fiat diesel,” Mr. Rajeev Kapoor, President and CEO, Fiat India, said.

Fiat India had recently confirmed that they don’t plan to launch anything new this year and even confirmed that a 1.6 liter Linea is all but true. However news has now surfaced which claims that a new improved Linea is on the cards which has undergone some cosmetic changes along with better interiors. Launch is expected b Diwali. Also an upgraded Grande Punto will be launched with the beige interiors (similar to the Linea). The Punto Dynamic variant will get integrated audio system as standard but will loose the rear power windows. We are unable to confirm the developments at Fiat India but the company has to do something amidst fierce competition.

Source – Team-BHP

The Fiat Linea is one of the few successful cars of the Italian car maker in India. In order to ensure that the Linea continues to sell, the company is planning to launch two new variants within the next two months. The new Linea variants will help the company stay competitive as the competition is increasing in the C-segment with the new Hyundai Verna and Ford Fiesta to arrive in the later half of the year. A team-bhpian spotted two new variants, a Linea 1.6 Multijet and a Linea 1.3 Multijet Automatic inside a Fiat workshop on Mysore road.

The Fiat Linea 1.6 Multijet will be powered by a 1600cc diesel motor producing 105bhp of power and 290Nm of torque. The engine will feature variable geometry turbine and will make the Linea one of the quickest cars in its segment. The Fiat Linea 1.3 Multijet Automatic will use the company’s famous Dualogic transmission. The DuaLogic name comes from the fact that the gearbox delivers two logical requirements of the car, better performance and better economy. The Dualogic adapts to the drivers driving style and learns the gearshifts accordingly. With fuzzy logic and robotised electronic management system, Dualogic ensures that gears change at the right time offering the driver the best performance along with optimum efficiency.

Source – Team-BHP

Fiat made a style statement as the exclusive automobile partner of the Lakme Fashion Week. Ace Designer Little Shilpa stylized Fiat Linea with sparkling embellishments. The modifications were carried on the recently launched Linea T-Jet.

“I feel very privileged to be associated with Fiat. The Linea’s sleek silhouette, sophisticated contours and unique style is hugely inspiring for creative minds. With increasing Fiat Linea’s fashion quotient as the brief, I decided on the usage of the shimmering crystals in my design for the Fiat Linea, accentuating its beauty further,” Little Shilpa said.