Indian Autos blog

The facelift of the Fiat Linea is beginning to grow on us as we browse through more photographs, different colors and see it in motion.

Sure it does not have the elegance of the India-spec model but we get the feeling that it looks much better in flesh, though we haven’t seen one yet!

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IAB readers were informed about the upcoming facelift of the new Fiat Linea a long time back. Our Rendering maestro SRK also made a rendering projecting what the future Linea would look it. But thanks to our pals at Autossegredos, we bring you the very first images of the facelifted Fiat Linea rolling off the production line in Tofas in Bursa, Turkey.

As one would imagine, it is a cosmetic job with new set of engines. The key highlights of the facelift include:

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Fiat may not have participated in the Auto Expo but they did unveil upgraded versions of the Linea and Punto just before the Expo. Fiat India added a few features to the base model of the Linea such as rain sensing wipers and auto headlamps and increased the ground clearance (GC) of Linea and Punto.

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 adulation.

Fiat has started working on the facelift for the Linea in Europe and the first spyshots were posted here on IAB yesterday. Fiat India introduced MY2012 Linea last month with no cosmetic changes that continues as the mainstay model for the rest of 2012. In 2013, there’s a good chance of seeing the new Linea in India.

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.

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An official belonging to Fiat India told IAB that the new Dodge Dart to be revealed at the Detroit Motor Show this month is not the Fiat Linea successor. He said the Dart is a bigger car developed for Chrysler to get a foothold in compact segment of the North American market. The Dart is built on the Fiat C-Platform whereas the Linea will stick to its B-Platform roots.

Fiat India will focus on the Linea and Punto in 2012 with no immediate plans to expand its lineup. The official said the upgrade to the Fiat 500 is in discussion stage. The company may offer a new engine or transmission, upgrade it to meet BS4 norms, and launch it in more cities. Fiat is inaugurating its second Caffe in India in Pune this month. The ovation to the store will decide if Fiat can explore other cities with this concept.

Fiat sees no market for the Abarth in India in 2012. Examples running on the roads belong to private importers. Efforts are on to establish a rock-solid retail network before new products can come out.

Speaking to IndianAutosBlog.com this evening, Fiat India said that the study for introducing Bravo in India showed that it isn’t a viable proposition. The Bravo could have been positioned between the Punto and Linea and was being looked at seriously. Fiat India has no plans of bringing the Bravo to the Indian market.

The official noted that Punto and Linea models with feature add-ons will be launched in New Delhi on the 3rd of January, 2012. Fiat will not take part in Auto Expo and this event is likely be hosted at a different venue.

The upgraded models should not be confused with the Punto Evo or the refreshed Punto shown at Frankfurt as Fiat has planned a somewhat India-specific operation. The official added that there are no changes to the body on the Model Year 2012 Punto and Linea vehicles. The powertrains are also likely to stay on.

This makeover is along the lines of Ford’s recent upgrade on the Figo and Nissan’s tweaked Micra lineup with rear headrests and new badges.

We’ll have to wait and see if Fiat juggles the variants and brings out a new pricing strategy.

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Got a Punto or a Linea? Does the AC take a lot of time to cool? Its not the Indian weather, turns out it is the AC unit itself. But worry no more, Fiat has learnt that and it will be replacing Air condition kits of petrol powered Linea and Punto Fiat India spokesperson – We received complaints mostly from the north and some western parts of the country that  [ Read More ]