The Fiat Linea-Is this the saloon that's coming to India?

extreme_torque · 3rd April 2008, 18:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by deepakhon

As far as I know, the 1.9 MJD uses the same engine block as that of the erstwhile Palio 1.9 D. So, that part is solved, because if I remember correctly, Fiat was manufacturing 1.9D in India itself. Fiat needs to import other components and assemble the engine here. Not that difficult a task as it is made out to be, in my opinion! But, whether the volumes justify such an effort is the big question mark... But, in my opinion, either the 1.6 or 1.9 MJD will be a good fit in this car, simply because you can easily get more torque out of these engines and that is what really matters in a diesel car.

1.9 in the linea would be an overkill simply because it wont be as fuel efficient as the other diesel sedans around. Ideally a 1.6 Diesel hits the sweet spot for both resonable performance and good efficiency.

deepakhon · 3rd April 2008, 19:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by extreme_torque

1.9 in the linea would be an overkill simply because it wont be as fuel efficient as the other diesel sedans around. Ideally a 1.6 Diesel hits the sweet spot for both resonable performance and good efficiency.

I would love even the lowest end 1.6 JTD with 105 horses and 26 kgm of torque. Maybe, Fiat can introduce this as a "Sport" version. According to ACI, they were testing it at Sweden anyways...

1100D · 3rd April 2008, 20:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by SkyWalker

when is Linea coming to India? I am looking to buy a sedan under 10L and really tired of waiting for Linea!

5 years after they launch the Palio hybrid 5 years from now.

spadival · 3rd April 2008, 20:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1100D

5 years after they launch the Palio hybrid 5 years from now.

Actually they have been spot on with the Palio 1.3 MJD launch. So lets hope they do the same with the Linea and the Grande Punto.

Quote:

Originally Posted by finneyp

According to reports, Palio 1.3 JTD would be launched in March'08, then Linea by mid 2008, followed by Grande Punto JTD end of 2008!

SkyWalker · 4th April 2008, 09:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by spadival

Actually they have been spot on with the Palio 1.3 MJD launch. So lets hope they do the same with the Linea and the Grande Punto.

hmm.... they release a an MJD 1+ years after Maruti released one. I currently own the Palio and i love the build and ride (smooth even after 6+ years) and would like to buy a similar package. I really need a second car and i am fighting the temptation to buy a City/Dezire

July is 3 months away.. If i can hold my horses...

pgsagar · 7th April 2008, 13:22

The automotive history in India is replete with blunders committed by Fiat. However, Linea seems to be providing Fiat with one more chance to redeem itself, stand up once again and be counted among India’s successful car makers. They just have to get it right this time on all fronts.

The car looks excellent and well proportioned, without any sore spots. They just have to price it right and launch the diesel version FIRST. Established players like Maruti can launch petrol version of Swift first and yet sell it like hot cakes. But today Fiat does not have this luxury of people eating out of its hand. So if they launch petrol version first and if it bombs then even if they launch a diesel version a few months down the road, it won’t take off as the word of petrol Linea’s failure would have entrenched firmly on Indian minds who have all along been skeptical about Fiat products. Similar thing also happened to Optra. Never a hot seller in petrol version, it failed to take off even in its diesel “avatar”.

The Linea may be technologically superior to many sedans available right now in India, but Fiat will just have to price it VERY VERY competitively to win some customers, for a change. THEY JUST HAVE TO FIGHT THE TEMPTATION OF PRICING IT HIGH. They may be European, but they will have to act like Korean on price front, for once at least. It’s about time Fiat got their due in Indian market, somehow. If Linea doesn’t sell. then nothing from the house of Fiat will. Because, in my opinion, it’s the best looking car they have rolled out in decades. Linea can make or break Fiat fortunes in India. Now it’s up to Fiat how it plays its cards here. My best wishes to them.

pawan_pullarwar · 7th April 2008, 15:02

Instead of importing Bravo and 500 they should concentrate on launching Linea and Punto first (Practically)

iTNerd · 7th April 2008, 15:09

quite an emotional burst there

. But I totally agree with you. Fiat needs to put up a competitive pricing, to revitalize its standing here.

amit · 7th April 2008, 15:20

Sure what you say has it's points BUT would the Indian car buyer bite the Linea bait even if it's competitively priced? Would he be willing to forgive Fiat's past blunders for the Linea?

Consider this. If the Dzire was Chevrolet Dzire , Ford Dzire or Fiat Dzire, would it get the kind of response the Maruti-Suzuki Dzire got?

ram_hyundai · 7th April 2008, 16:43

Fiat always had good products in its lineup at least in India.But the sad portion was that the dealers were not up to the mark.Now when the dealers are there in place with the active support of TATA the products are taking its own sweet time to be launched.Last month the Palio petrols also registered good sale in the wake of the diesel launch.
Hope they bring in the Linea soon and with an mjd heart so that sale would pick up from day one.
ram

shatrughna · 7th April 2008, 16:59

Does anyone here have any update on the transmission they are planning to introduce with Linea here in India. I believe there is something like a semi automatic transmission in it. Anyone may please, throw some light on this aspect.

karanraheja · 7th April 2008, 17:02

All Fiat fans are dying for the launch of Punto & Linea . I dont think they should price like the Koreans( as koreans are not that VFM cars like before).
They should price it like our very own Maruti . Fiat should now try to work on improving *** before the launch of Linea. Its sad to hear that Tata sales people are not giving much attention to Fiat cars . Fiat better do something on the marketing front too!!

directinjection · 7th April 2008, 18:43

Bijoy Kumar from BS Motoring is back after attending Linea premier at Istanbul. Here's the report:

Top Story - The Istanbul brief - Business Standard Motoring

120 BHP FIRE-1.4 Turbo Petrol is the version he recommends.
Incidentally, Tata-Fiat have already announced they'll make this engine at Ranjangaon.

MaserQ · 7th April 2008, 19:08

If the above were true, then what are the chances that the 1.4 petrol would make its way into the new Indica/Indigo..purely speculative, but not impossible.

Also read elsewhere that Maruti do not have immediate plans for a diesel SX4. If Fiat plays its diesel card right, Linea can effectively compete with the Fiesta/Verna. It also has the advantage of being a slightly bigger car than its competitors.

bhanusrinivas · 7th April 2008, 19:19

Quote:

Also read elsewhere that Maruti do not have immediate plans for a diesel SX4

Maruti may not launch diesel SX4 till the all new honda city is launched.

7th April 2008, 13:22	#201
pgsagar Senior - BHPian Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Vizag Posts: 2,628 Thanked: 3,568 Times View My Garage	Linea. The last chance for Fiat? The automotive history in India is replete with blunders committed by Fiat. However, Linea seems to be providing Fiat with one more chance to redeem itself, stand up once again and be counted among India’s successful car makers. They just have to get it right this time on all fronts. The car looks excellent and well proportioned, without any sore spots. They just have to price it right and launch the diesel version FIRST. Established players like Maruti can launch petrol version of Swift first and yet sell it like hot cakes. But today Fiat does not have this luxury of people eating out of its hand. So if they launch petrol version first and if it bombs then even if they launch a diesel version a few months down the road, it won’t take off as the word of petrol Linea’s failure would have entrenched firmly on Indian minds who have all along been skeptical about Fiat products. Similar thing also happened to Optra. Never a hot seller in petrol version, it failed to take off even in its diesel “avatar”. The Linea may be technologically superior to many sedans available right now in India, but Fiat will just have to price it VERY VERY competitively to win some customers, for a change. THEY JUST HAVE TO FIGHT THE TEMPTATION OF PRICING IT HIGH. They may be European, but they will have to act like Korean on price front, for once at least. It’s about time Fiat got their due in Indian market, somehow. If Linea doesn’t sell. then nothing from the house of Fiat will. Because, in my opinion, it’s the best looking car they have rolled out in decades. Linea can make or break Fiat fortunes in India. Now it’s up to Fiat how it plays its cards here. My best wishes to them.
	() Thanks

7th April 2008, 15:02	#202
pawan_pullarwar BHPian Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Pune - Now in Munich, Germany Posts: 778 Thanked: 129 Times	Instead of importing Bravo and 500 they should concentrate on launching Linea and Punto first (Practically)
	() Thanks

7th April 2008, 15:09	#203
iTNerd Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Imphal/Noida Posts: 1,241 Thanked: 1,214 Times View My Garage	quite an emotional burst there . But I totally agree with you. Fiat needs to put up a competitive pricing, to revitalize its standing here.
	() Thanks

7th April 2008, 15:20	#204
amit Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Mumbai Posts: 3,717 Thanked: 449 Times	Sure what you say has it's points BUT would the Indian car buyer bite the Linea bait even if it's competitively priced? Would he be willing to forgive Fiat's past blunders for the Linea? Consider this. If the Dzire was Chevrolet Dzire , Ford Dzire or Fiat Dzire, would it get the kind of response the Maruti-Suzuki Dzire got?
	() Thanks

7th April 2008, 16:43	#205
ram_hyundai Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Calicut ,trisur Posts: 2,020 Thanked: 53 Times View My Garage	Fiat always had good products in its lineup at least in India.But the sad portion was that the dealers were not up to the mark.Now when the dealers are there in place with the active support of TATA the products are taking its own sweet time to be launched.Last month the Palio petrols also registered good sale in the wake of the diesel launch. Hope they bring in the Linea soon and with an mjd heart so that sale would pick up from day one. ram
	() Thanks

7th April 2008, 16:59	#206
shatrughna BHPian Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Mumbai Posts: 894 Thanked: 68 Times	Does anyone here have any update on the transmission they are planning to introduce with Linea here in India. I believe there is something like a semi automatic transmission in it. Anyone may please, throw some light on this aspect.
	() Thanks

7th April 2008, 17:02	#207
karanraheja Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Coimbatore Posts: 1,961 Thanked: 436 Times	All Fiat fans are dying for the launch of Punto & Linea . I dont think they should price like the Koreans( as koreans are not that VFM cars like before). They should price it like our very own Maruti . Fiat should now try to work on improving *** before the launch of Linea. Its sad to hear that Tata sales people are not giving much attention to Fiat cars . Fiat better do something on the marketing front too!!
	() Thanks

7th April 2008, 18:43	#208
directinjection Senior - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Faridabad/Delhi Posts: 1,705 Thanked: 784 Times	Bijoy Kumar from BS Motoring is back after attending Linea premier at Istanbul. Here's the report: Top Story - The Istanbul brief - Business Standard Motoring 120 BHP FIRE-1.4 Turbo Petrol is the version he recommends. Incidentally, Tata-Fiat have already announced they'll make this engine at Ranjangaon.
	() Thanks

7th April 2008, 19:08	#209
MaserQ Senior - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,196 Thanked: 166 Times	If the above were true, then what are the chances that the 1.4 petrol would make its way into the new Indica/Indigo..purely speculative, but not impossible. Also read elsewhere that Maruti do not have immediate plans for a diesel SX4. If Fiat plays its diesel card right, Linea can effectively compete with the Fiesta/Verna. It also has the advantage of being a slightly bigger car than its competitors.
	() Thanks