The Fiat Linea test drive thread

supremeBaleno · 6th March 2009, 11:39

@diabloo, maybe Linea could displace the Logans.

But Linea taking the wind out of Innova ? Both are entirely different vehicles. If at all someone can take on Innova, it would be the Xylo, not the Linea.

Prash · 6th March 2009, 11:57

Had been with friends to Bhagat Tarachand (Bhiwandi) from Mumbai just for a dinner there. Its 72 kms and the total 150 kms drive was just amazing. I had the 1st experience of driving my Linea on a proper highway. I felt no power loss at any point of time. Be it just simple cruising or overtaking. As and when the peddal was pressed the Linea could overtake any obstacle with ease. I was keeping the rev between 1000 and 3000 rpm. Never did I press the diesel pedal hard. I got an FE of 20.7 kmpl. That was on the multi display. So i guess in real world i must have got about 20 kmpl (can say this from my previous refill from tank full to tank full as compared with the multi display), and that too i drove from my home (Tardeo) till the Chembur junction with neck to neck traffic and AC on. It was 8.30 pm and there is lot of construction work going on till sion. While in return (that is 72-74 kms) I had kept the AC off. We were 3 in total.
The braking is just too good along with the handling part. The ride very stable and smooth.
I just wish the sound system could be better. Any suggestions what I can do to improve the quality of sound. Adding an amplifier and woofer would void the warranty. Please suggest.

anupmathur · 6th March 2009, 14:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prash

I just wish the sound system could be better. Any suggestions what I can do to improve the quality of sound. Adding an amplifier and woofer would void the warranty. Please suggest.

As a first step, simply upgrade the speakers! It is always the speakers that are the weakest link in the chain.

Prash · 6th March 2009, 16:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by anupmathur

As a first step, simply upgrade the speakers! It is always the speakers that are the weakest link in the chain.

thanx. i will try finding good ones

FERRO · 6th March 2009, 17:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by diabloo

You guys just echoed my thoughts. Please see my post below:

Sorry for being off-topic:

Sorry that place belongs to Honda it will work better then Logan taxi Since Hondas are known for reliability, Honda Taxi is very good option for them

it will serve them for years and years without even a need to replace a nut.

downsouth · 7th March 2009, 10:53

Linea can never take on the Innova, when I was at the Concorde service, the day before I could make out a couple of guys from a rental company having a discussion with the service manager before my car was attended to. I might not be too long I guess.

Quote:

Originally Posted by supremeBaleno

@diabloo, maybe Linea could displace the Logans.
But Linea taking the wind out of Innova ? Both are entirely different vehicles. If at all someone can take on Innova, it would be the Xylo, not the Linea.

Wow, those are really good numbers. even for an average of 19km/ltr it is excellent. If you want to upgrade the speakers please get it done at the dealership, your warranty will still be valid.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prash

Had been with friends to Bhagat Tarachand (Bhiwandi) from Mumbai just for a dinner there. Its 72 kms and the total 150 kms drive was just amazing. I had the 1st experience of driving my Linea on a proper highway. I felt no power loss at any point of time. Be it just simple cruising or overtaking. As and when the peddal was pressed the Linea could overtake any obstacle with ease. I was keeping the rev between 1000 and 3000 rpm. Never did I press the diesel pedal hard. I got an FE of 20.7 kmpl. That was on the multi display. So i guess in real world i must have got about 20 kmpl (can say this from my previous refill from tank full to tank full as compared with the multi display), and that too i drove from my home (Tardeo) till the Chembur junction with neck to neck traffic and AC on. It was 8.30 pm and there is lot of construction work going on till sion. While in return (that is 72-74 kms) I had kept the AC off. We were 3 in total.
The braking is just too good along with the handling part. The ride very stable and smooth.
I just wish the sound system could be better. Any suggestions what I can do to improve the quality of sound. Adding an amplifier and woofer would void the warranty. Please suggest.

breezydrive · 7th March 2009, 22:34

Can someone who has done TD of both diesel & petrol versions, share the experience & elaborate the difference?

Ankur_J · 8th March 2009, 18:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by supremeBaleno

Another Linea sighting today morning at Gemini flyover. It was that gold color - champagne something. And this time it was an individual registered car.

The rear seems to remind me of some car I came across in the U.S., though I can't remember which one.

The rear looks like Ford Cougar i guess. I drove one in UK.

kvish · 9th March 2009, 08:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by breezydrive

Can someone who has done TD of both diesel & petrol versions, share the experience & elaborate the difference?

Check out the review by roms. He did a TD of both.

joslicx · 9th March 2009, 13:00

The rear tail lamps are exact copy of prev gen Sonata (Sonata Gold I think it was called). Now its the europeans that are copying the Koreans!!!

Here is the pic of the same.

In person the rear lamps look indistinguishably the same!!!

And Here is Linea's rear:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ankur_J

The rear looks like Ford Cougar i guess. I drove one in UK.

supremeBaleno · 9th March 2009, 13:26

Looks like Linea deliveries are on in full steam after the initial hiccups.

Saw a user-registered black Linea on my way to work today.

And another gold colored one last Friday - it had a ribbon on the bonnet which would seem to indicate a customer-delivery, but it also had the testdrive stickers along the sides which was odd.

finneyp · 9th March 2009, 14:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by joslicx

The rear tail lamps are exact copy of prev gen Sonata (Sonata Gold I think it was called). Now its the europeans that are copying the Koreans!!!

Good joke!

Ask Hyundai from where they copied the Sonata design?

downsouth · 9th March 2009, 15:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by joslicx

The rear tail lamps are exact copy of prev gen Sonata (Sonata Gold I think it was called). Now its the europeans that are copying the Koreans!!!

The facts,

1. The tail lamps are not an exact copy, the Sonata had 2 lamps, but Linea has 3 lamps, with an additional rear fog lamp.
2. The Sonata looks similar to a Jaguar, which BTW is a British Marquee.

neotraveller · 9th March 2009, 23:22

I finally booked the "Linea Petrol Emotion pack Red" today at Autofin Secunderabad. Will probably get delivery by April 1st week.

Background: Had been on the lookout to buy a sedan in the 8-9L range since last June. Saw and read about the Linea first time @ team-bhp and I was smitten by its looks and features. Had been waiting for it ever since.
Initially considered diesels, but somehow was only comfortable with the driving dynamics of petrols only. Also my daily commute is only 25km.

I was basically looking for a Family sedan, that was spacious, decent power, all latest features and VFM. Linea satisfied all these for me.

My thoughts on Linea (P):
+ Undoubtedly the best suspension / ride & Handling. Absorbs bad roads really well.
+ Most roomy car in the segment (back seat shoulder space and overall legroom). Its less when compared to its D-segment dimensions. But hey, it beats all the competitors in C (which is where its targeted).
+ Adequate pickup (I drive in peak traffic everyday so not much hungry for horses). The pickup increases tremendously as soon as u cross 2000rpm, kind of like diesel turbo. Dunno why.
+ Features - Automatic climate control, Rear-seat AC, Alloys, ABS, Airbags, Blue n Me, USB & MP3 Music player .......... droooooool. No upgrades reqd.
+ Pricing - A big, fully-loaded sedan at cheap price. who wouldn't want it.
- Engine seemed a bit coarse. I could hear engine sound in the cabin. (I test drove a dynamic, don't know if its any better insulated in emotion)
- Pickup can be better (but that would also mean less mileage)
- Uncomfortable Driving position. Needs getting used to I guess.

The Competition:
Also Test drove following, but left them for following perceptions (mine):
Fiesta: Awesome driving position but the crampiest of cars.
ANHC: Too expensive and under-featured.
SX4: Coarse engine. Back seat was a joke. Also bad FE.
Verna: Unsteady, Uncomfortable & Under-featured.

downsouth · 10th March 2009, 09:51

Alright Neo,

Congrats man, one more Linea petrol in Hyd, like you posted at ntranced thread, we are still a minority

. But we will get there slow and steady, Infact I saw another Linea MJ on Friday evening at Cinemax.

Let me know how everything goes..

6th March 2009, 11:39	#616
supremeBaleno Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Chennai / Kochi Posts: 5,547 Thanked: 2,703 Times View My Garage	@diabloo, maybe Linea could displace the Logans. But Linea taking the wind out of Innova ? Both are entirely different vehicles. If at all someone can take on Innova, it would be the Xylo, not the Linea.
	() Thanks

6th March 2009, 11:57	#617
Prash BHPian Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Mumbai Posts: 203 Thanked: 42 Times	150 kms drive Had been with friends to Bhagat Tarachand (Bhiwandi) from Mumbai just for a dinner there. Its 72 kms and the total 150 kms drive was just amazing. I had the 1st experience of driving my Linea on a proper highway. I felt no power loss at any point of time. Be it just simple cruising or overtaking. As and when the peddal was pressed the Linea could overtake any obstacle with ease. I was keeping the rev between 1000 and 3000 rpm. Never did I press the diesel pedal hard. I got an FE of 20.7 kmpl. That was on the multi display. So i guess in real world i must have got about 20 kmpl (can say this from my previous refill from tank full to tank full as compared with the multi display), and that too i drove from my home (Tardeo) till the Chembur junction with neck to neck traffic and AC on. It was 8.30 pm and there is lot of construction work going on till sion. While in return (that is 72-74 kms) I had kept the AC off. We were 3 in total. The braking is just too good along with the handling part. The ride very stable and smooth. I just wish the sound system could be better. Any suggestions what I can do to improve the quality of sound. Adding an amplifier and woofer would void the warranty. Please suggest.
	() Thanks

7th March 2009, 22:34	#622
breezydrive BHPian Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: NOIDA Posts: 750 Thanked: 125 Times View My Garage	Can someone who has done TD of both diesel & petrol versions, share the experience & elaborate the difference?
	() Thanks

9th March 2009, 13:26	#626
supremeBaleno Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Chennai / Kochi Posts: 5,547 Thanked: 2,703 Times View My Garage	Looks like Linea deliveries are on in full steam after the initial hiccups. Saw a user-registered black Linea on my way to work today. And another gold colored one last Friday - it had a ribbon on the bonnet which would seem to indicate a customer-delivery, but it also had the testdrive stickers along the sides which was odd.
	() Thanks

9th March 2009, 23:22	#629
neotraveller BHPian Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 739 Thanked: 0 Times	one more Linea Petrol - Booked I finally booked the "Linea Petrol Emotion pack Red" today at Autofin Secunderabad. Will probably get delivery by April 1st week. Background: Had been on the lookout to buy a sedan in the 8-9L range since last June. Saw and read about the Linea first time @ team-bhp and I was smitten by its looks and features. Had been waiting for it ever since. Initially considered diesels, but somehow was only comfortable with the driving dynamics of petrols only. Also my daily commute is only 25km. I was basically looking for a Family sedan, that was spacious, decent power, all latest features and VFM. Linea satisfied all these for me. My thoughts on Linea (P): + Undoubtedly the best suspension / ride & Handling. Absorbs bad roads really well. + Most roomy car in the segment (back seat shoulder space and overall legroom). Its less when compared to its D-segment dimensions. But hey, it beats all the competitors in C (which is where its targeted). + Adequate pickup (I drive in peak traffic everyday so not much hungry for horses). The pickup increases tremendously as soon as u cross 2000rpm, kind of like diesel turbo. Dunno why. + Features - Automatic climate control, Rear-seat AC, Alloys, ABS, Airbags, Blue n Me, USB & MP3 Music player .......... droooooool. No upgrades reqd. + Pricing - A big, fully-loaded sedan at cheap price. who wouldn't want it. - Engine seemed a bit coarse. I could hear engine sound in the cabin. (I test drove a dynamic, don't know if its any better insulated in emotion) - Pickup can be better (but that would also mean less mileage) - Uncomfortable Driving position. Needs getting used to I guess. The Competition: Also Test drove following, but left them for following perceptions (mine): Fiesta: Awesome driving position but the crampiest of cars. ANHC: Too expensive and under-featured. SX4: Coarse engine. Back seat was a joke. Also bad FE. Verna: Unsteady, Uncomfortable & Under-featured.
	() Thanks

10th March 2009, 09:51	#630
downsouth BHPian Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: 0.1933333, 32.58333 Posts: 357 Thanked: 23 Times	Alright Neo, Congrats man, one more Linea petrol in Hyd, like you posted at ntranced thread, we are still a minority . But we will get there slow and steady, Infact I saw another Linea MJ on Friday evening at Cinemax. Let me know how everything goes..
	() Thanks