Fiat Linea set for India launch

Fiat will launch its Fiat Linea in India, in mid-December 2008. The C-segment sedan was expected to be launched in September 2008.

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Photo: Fiat Linea

Fiat has kicked off production of the Fiat Linea, at the Fiat – Tata Motors plant at Ranjangaon.

The company aims to ready nearly 2000 units of the Fiat Linea for sale at the Fiat and Tata dealershpis across the country in time for the December 2008 launch.

Looking at the Fiat Linea photos on this page, one can’t feel but a little sad. Remember, the Fiat Linea has been talked about for almost 2 years now. Anticipation has been high from the beginning, and blogs and forums were abuzz about the imminent launch. After Fiat and Tata formed an alliance last year, the LInea was expected to arrive quickly but that did not happen either. The Fiat Linea is a very good looking car alright – but last month, another C-segment sedan which has vowed evreyone was launched-  the new Honda City. Your thunder has been stolen comprehensively, Fiat.

Make no mistake – the Fiat Linea is still a very good looking car and with classically handsome lines.

The Fiat Linea will be launched in India several variants, and petrol and diesel options.

The petrol version would have a 1.4-litre petrol engine, and the diesel version would have a 1.3 diesel VGT, combined with five-speed transmissions. The Fiat Linea will also come in a variant with a 120 bhp 1.4 16v Turbo option. We now know very well that the diesel will sell a lot more in numbers than the petrol. Only Honda seems to buck the diesel trend in India.

Photo: Fiat Linea rear exterior

The Fiat Linea has been designed by the Fiat Style Centre. The Fiat Linea is 4.56 metres long, 1.73 metres wide, 1.5 metres tall, with a wheelbase of 2.6 metres, and a 500 litre luggage capacity.

The Fiat Linea variants will comprise Fiat Linea Active, Fiat Linea Dynamic, Fiat Linea Emotion, and the Fiat Linea Emotion +.

The Fiat Linea Active will come with power steering, manual central locking, power windows, driver and passenger vanity mirror, 2-tone beige/black interiors, tachometer, fog lamps, and halogen lights.

Photo: Fiat Linea seats

The Fiat Linea Dynamic with have rear seat arm rests, integrated Mp3 stereo, instrument cluser with white dials, adjustible rear seat head rests, height adjustable driver’s seat, and dual airbags.

The Fiat Linea Emotion will come with ABS, EBD, 16-alloy wheels, silver metal finish central console, audio controls on steering, instant fuel consumption, average speed, distance to empty data, and chrome trim on door handles.

Photo: Fiat Linea interior

The fiat Linea Emotion+ will come with a Blue&Me hands-free system that allows the driver to browse mobile phone’s book, and controls the audio system. The built-in USB port can be used to connect PenDrive with music in MP3 and WMA formats.

The top-end Fiat Linea has an option of a Blue&Nav system, which is, essentially, a Blue&Me system with an integrated GPS system. The system provides voice instructions and displays directions with arrows.

The car has a power of 77PS @ 6000 rpm, and torque 115 NM @ 3000 rpm. The Fiat Linea can go up to 0-100kmph in 14.6 seconds. It has a top speed of 170 kmph.

The Fiat Linea will be available in 10 colors: Cool Jazz Blue,Tecno Grey, Flamenco Red, Lullaby Blue, Fox-Trot Azure, Minimal Grey, Rockabilly Black, Breakdance Green, Ambient White, and Indie Ivory.

The Fiat Linea is expected to be priced between Rs 7 – 9 lakhs.