Over the years Fiat has taken some serious punishment in India. Klicks in the face, body blows, knocks below the belt, it’s absorbed them all. It could have packed up and left just like Peugeot did back in 1998, but the Italian carmaker stuck on, waiting for the necessary artillery to get the job done. For starters, they closed down and sold the old ex-Premier plant in Mumbai and opened a massive factory in Ranjangaon, Pune. The company has also worked out an alliance with Tata Motors to improve on networks.

Now all Fiat needs is a killer product to rejuvenate it and bring the brand back to prominence in India. The Palio is too old and tired to get the job done but the new Linea, which will showcase Fiat at its very best, certainly can…

So has it been worth the wait? AutoCar (Dec ’08) lets us in on their exclusive road test.
The car we see is completely re-skinned to give it its own distinct identity. The Maserati-like nose gives the car a special presence that is universally loved added on by some genuinely pretty bits like the sweep of the roof and the tipped-forward glasshouse. The big wheel arches and quarter-glasses also give the car an Audi ‘glass canopy’ vibe. The wheelbase of the Grande Punto has been stretched by more than 90mm and at 4560mm; the Linea is longer than the Volkswagen Jetta.

Under the skin this car has the regular front-wheel-drive layout; transversely mounted engine, MacPherson struts up front, non-independent torsion axle at the rear, anti-roll bars all around and a hydraulic steering. But it’s in the details that this suspension really impresses. The front suspension arms are pressed steel sections so unsprung mass is reduced, there is an aluminium crossbeam that improves the rigidity of the front section and there is an anti-roll bar at the rear. ABS is standard on the top-end model tested by AutoCar (Dec. ’08). The boot is deep and well-shaped but the opening is narrow and the sill is high.

Until now, Fiats sold in India never really had attractive-looking interiors. They have always stressed on solid build and longevity rather than their appeal.

All this changes with the Linea. There’s a lot in this that makes you go ‘wow’, like the beautifully sculpted multi-function steering wheel, retro chronometer dial instruments classiest this side of a Mercedes-Benz E-Class, a superbly-built central console and a two-tone dash with a chrome slash running through it. Climate control is standard and the Emotion variant comes with Fiat’s Blue & Me kit that is Bluetooth and USB connectivity made in collaboration with Microsoft. You also get a full-fledged trip computer as well, which is one of the most accurate ones AutoCar (Dec. ’08) has ever tested.

The steering wheel doesn’t adjust for reach and the seat height adjust is very basic too so you have to work hard to find the right driving position. The seats themselves are large and offer plenty of thigh support and the adjustable armrest adds to the comfort. Unfortunately storage space around the cabin isn’t too impressive. The cupholders are small, the door pouches don’t take water bottles and the space in the elbow box is shallow too.

The rear seats are incredibly comfy with a high seating position, lots of underthigh support thanks to a long squab and a perfectly angled back rest. Though seat width is pretty good, legroom isn’t that impressive with cars like the City and substantially cheaper Logan having more of it. A big disappointment is the lack of headroom and even reasonably short passengers can muss up their hairstyle on the Linea’s well finished roof liner.

The Linea however is the only car in its class to offer an air-con vent for rear passengers and the rear sunblind is great for keeping the sun out.

The motor under the hood is a very familiar one. Fiat’s 1.3 Multi-jet has powered everything from the Palio, to the Swift to the Indica Vista and that’s because it is truly an outstanding motor. For the Linea, Fiat has made some alterations to the motor to increase its volumetric efficiency. A larger capacity variable vane turbo replaces the smaller fixed turbo and that in effect means that this motor now behaves like a larger capacity motor. Power is up to 90bhp from the normal 75 and there is an increase in torque too. The variable geometry turbo acts like a small capacity turbo at low engine speeds, responding quickly, and then when more power is required at higher engine speeds, the vanes change position offering a greater surface area and increased turbo boost for additional power. The car in India also has a larger capacity radiator, underbody protection and a more powerful air con system.

The Linea’s motor displays the same non-linear or peaky power delivery that is characteristic of this Multi-jet engine. The midrange is nice and punchy and the bigger turbo also means the motor has more pulling power and goes on hard till 4500rpm. The Linea’s short gearing is great for city driving and the big Fiat always feels like it has a spring in its step. Floor it, ait a bit and then whoosh, the Linea takes off in a way that makes you think it has more than 90bhp under its hood. The strong mid-range is great for overtaking on the highway too but flat-out acceleration, the kind you need when overtaking a fast-moving car, isn’t that impressive. It takes 15 seconds to reach 100 and 30.8 to reach 140kph. This is good going if you place the Linea next to the Fiesta but cars like the Verna will still eat it for lunch.

The ride quality of the Linea is superb. The chassis and especially the front suspension is so well set up that the front end bite from the Linea is unreal. At high speeds you expect the front tyres to give way but the grippy Goodyear GT3 195 tyres feel like they are slicks, ensuring you are miles away from the limit the first few times you push through a series of corners.

The brilliant hydraulic steering is responsive, accurate and bristling with feedback at all speeds and a key element in the Linea’s impeccable handling. It always allows you to be in touch with the road and gives you the confidence to push harder than you would dare to in another car.

Every single passenger and driver who sat in the Linea, says AutoCar (Dec. ’08), has commented on the excellent ride quality that is totally unfazed by our roads. Its’ the perfect balance between low and high speed ride comfort that the Linea has managed to strike that makes it special. As a result it’s at home at any speed and on just about any surface.

The Linea’s price has not been announced yet but a hint from Fiat tells us that this top-end diesel could be around Rs. 9 lakh. If Fiat sticks to this price, it could easily have a smash hit on its hand simply because the Linea looks and feels so much more expensive than it actually is. It looks superior, is comfortable on the inside, has a solid build and rides and handles skilfully too. To sum up the Linea provides almost everything in its class, with very little missing. Finally, Fiat seems to have hit the sweet spot concludes AutoCar (Dec. ’08).

At a Glance

Price: Rs. 9 lakh (estimated), On Sale: January 2009, Warranty: N/A, Engine: Diesel (1.3, 90bhp) Petrol (1.4, 95 bhp), Variants: Emotion (top-end), Dynamic (mid), Active (base model), Acceleration: 0-60kph – 6.2sec, 0-100kph -15.04sec, Top Speed -168kph, Kpl (overall) -15.2kpl Economy: City – 12.9kpl, Highway – 17.5kpl, Tank size – 45 litres Positives: Ride & Handling, mid-range performance Negatives: Rear headroom, some plastics Verdict: 9/10 – Blend of style and substance sets new benchmark