Last month Fiat India’s CEO Rajeev Kapoor told IAB that they will work on the facelift, without getting into the details. For 2012 however cosmetic changes have been ruled out on the Linea or Punto.

In markets where the Linea is crunching big numbers, a facelift can rejuvenate the looks and make people take notice. The Linea was introduced in 2007 and has stayed the same since the debut. According to our friends at Auto Segredos, the cabin of the Linea facelift could be more luxurious.

Changes to the exterior were cited in earlier articles, a rendering by Shoeb was also presented for viewers to diagram the model’s front fascia. Likewise a new bumper and chrome garnish will be added to the car’s rear.

[Source - AutosSegredos.com.br]

Fiat has started testing the rebadged Dodge Dart in China. Many in India falsely believe the rebadged Dart is the new or successor to the Linea. This is incorrect as with a facelift in the pipeline, the current Linea has some more time before hanging up its boots. Fiat’s version of the Dart may use the Linea badge. It’s bigger than the Linea, uses a 1.4-liter turbo petrol engine (like the Linea’s 1.4 T-Jet) and is a C-Segment car.

Fiat’s 500 may be the most stylish small car ever made in Italy, but the wave of new competition could sideline the little champion. Introduced back in 2007, Fiat should be mulling a facelift operation, and the launch the 500L gave plenty of clues on the makeover, if one is to happen soon.

The headlights may be pulled back into the bonnet and the the bumpers could be heavily designed.

Volvo is said to have to change its mind on developing a competitor for the S-Class and 7 Series. Its new owner Geely could have influenced the decision to build a range-topping S100, based around the Concept Universe shown at last year’s Beijing Auto Show. A revised concept car moving closer towards production is expected to be on view at this year Beijing Show that’s opens its doors in April.

However, if you already own a Linea/Punto then don’t you worry because Fiat India has introduced GC packages for the existing customers.

These GC kits will raise your Punto’s ground clearance from 173 mm to 185 mm and the Linea’s from 161 mm to 185 mm to help you tackle the potholed roads, XL speed breakers and water logged streets with great ease. This GC package will be of more use to Linea owners as Punto’s 173 mm generally does not scrape its belly over an undulation.

This is a dealer level upgrade and the kits are needed to be specially ordered at the dealer. Fiat is charging Rs 10,899 for the Linea and Grande Punto diesel and Rs 11,900 for the Grande Punto petrol. This is a completely optional upgrade and if you feel there is no need for change, you can ignore this development.

[Source: Carwale.com]

The new Linea is reportedly gearing up for a premiere at one of the big auto shows in Europe (Geneva, Paris, Frankfurt) this year and by the year-end to grace showrooms.

Fiat has disguised the 2013 Linea to keep the auto aficionados guessing about the final look. They’re not ready to give it away yet, but help from our good friend Shoeb R Kalania, we’re able to bring you closer to the unmasked car. The front-end is entirely new except for the headlamps. The new Linea gets a different rear bumper and stoplights. There might be changes under the bonnet with the inclusion of a 1.4-liter MultiAir petrol engine.

[Spyshot sourced from WorldCarFans.com]

Fiat is working on a new retail strategy, which once in place, can leave the product planning team to get creative. Through stand-alone dealer outlets (setup by Tata Motors dealers across 20 cities), Fiat can sell products without any distraction or cannibalization.

Fiat engineers meanwhile in Europe are testing the facelift of the Linea for a launch in late 2012. This model is likely to make it to India next year. Indian Autos Blog readers already know that the Linea and Dodge Dart are not relatives. The Dart is developed for Dodge to put the grab the market share of  Toyota and Honda in the America’s C-Segment market.

On the 2013 Linea, one can see a new grille with widely spaced horizontal slats. The Fiat badge moves upwards, V-Shaped lower intakes, bigger housing for foglights, new rear bumper and boot lid, and new wheel caps are visible inclusions.

The WorldCarFans report states Fiat is mulling the inclusion of the 1.4-liter Multi-air engine on the Linea facelift. This is Fiat’s first cosmetic surgery on the Linea since its launch in 2007.

[Source - WorldCarFans.com]

Dacia’s finally ready to bring out the Lodgy mini van as seen in this spy video. The Renault-owner Romanian low-price vehicle manufacturer previewed the new arrival a few weeks back using pictures. It will be seen for the first time at the Geneva Motor Show next month. Renault is also eager to produce its version for markets that are out of Dacia’s reach – Should the Lodgy follow the footsteps of the Duster and sneak into India?

Our Brazilian friends at AutosSegredos are at it once again spying the upcoming Fiat Siena as it was driven to the factory yard without camouflage. The new Siena arrives in March with three engine options and Fiat’s dual clutch automatic transmission.  Fiat does not have immediate plans to sell the Palio sedan outside South America, though lovers of the Italian brand feel this is THE car for Fiat India.

Hyundai’s sandwiching the i10 and i20 models using the unnamed HB hatchback in Brazil. Auto Esporte has rendered the car’s dashboard using spyshots – its a mix of Elantra and Verna. The HB is almost done with its testing according to reports and breaks cover in the next six months. The package of the i20, space of a premium hatchback at the price just above that of the i2o – is this a winning concoction or what?

So, let’s kick off with the news of the brand new Siena that’s ready to set foot in Brazilian roads.

On the looks front, the new Siena (codenamed as 326-3V) is strikingly similar to the new-gen Palio. The side profile is exact same as the new Palio, and it’s only when your eyeballs reach the rear that the lines begin to differ. Sprawling headlamps are reminiscent of the Bravo and the Idea, while the rear-section remains more or less the same as the current generation, with added chrome beads at bottom.

The 2013 Siena is an alternative to the Tata Manza and Toyota Etios

The most impressing bit here is the interiors though. Even in the scoop pictures it feels and looks miles ahead of anything we have seen on any small Fiat, so far.

The Fiat Siena will be offered with the following engine options-1.4 EVO, 1.4 EVO Tetrafuel and 1.6 16V E.torQ. A 1.8 16V E.torq is also speculated to enter later. The first place of production will be in Betim (Brazil).

Whether it’ll come to India or not is anyone’s guess. Fiat is working on a strong semi-independent dealer network before bringing new models to India. Fiat India has taken note of the new Siena but was not forthcoming on its plans to sell it in India.

Nevertheless, do you think it can help Fiat change its fortunes here?

[Spyshots sourced from AutosSegredos.com.br]

By Shivank Bhatt

VW is planning an onslaught to reach numero uno title and so far things seem to be on track. The group owns few of the most profitable brands such as Porsche, Skoda, Seat and Audi and is expanding its footprint throughout the globe at a breath taking pace.

With VW planning to sell 10 million vehicles annually by 2018, it will be hard for smaller manufacturers like Fiat-Chrysler to sustain themselves in the market. Thus, in order to fight the VW group, Fiat is planning to tie up with France’s PSA Peugeot-Citroen. So far, it seems the only hope for survival.

In a modern market where consumers are constantly searching for something new and exciting, research cost spiral high. To offset the research cost and to achieve economies of scale, manufacturers join hands. A leading example is Renault-Nissan partnership which (when combined) is one of the top 5 auto manufacturer in the world.

Fiat and PSA almost seem like a match made in heaven. While Fiat suffers from excess capacity, PSA production is spread among French plants that are too small and costly to stay profitable in the event of a price war. Both the automakers could benefit in the longer term from pooling their strongest products.

What are your thoughts on the partnership?

Source: AutoNews