Fiat Linea
Encyclopedia
The Fiat Linea is a small family car released on March 26, 2007 at Tofaş
plant in Bursa, Turkey, by the Italian automaker Fiat
as a world car
in developing countries. It replaced the aging Marea
as the largest saloon in the Fiat range. It is based on the current Fiat Grande Punto
platform. The Linea was designed by Fiat Style Centre and co-developed by Tofaş (Joint venture between Fiat Group and Koc Holding) and Fiat do Brasil.
/Opel Astra
. Its wheelbase is 2603 mm (102.5 in), i.e. 100 mm (3.9 in) longer than its sister models, and its total length is 4560 mm (179.5 in) or 500 mm (19.7 in) longer.
The first launch, in Turkey in 2007, was initially available with a 1.4 Fire
gasoline engine and 1.3 Multijet diesel engine. Then the 1.4 TurboJet engine with 120 PS and 1.6 diesel with 105 PS made available to the market. The production at Tofaş plant is mostly aimed for local Turkish, whereas CBUs are shippsed to EU market and CKD components are shipped to Tatarstan plant of Fiat joint venture in Russia.
Launched in September 2008 in Brazil, Linea was available with a 1.9 L 16v "Torque" engine with 132 PS, flexible for the Brazilian market (capable of using petrol or ethanol
). Also in Brazil Linea is available with a 1.4 L 16v T-Jet engine with 152 PS, the same engine used in Fiat Grande Punto
Abarth in Europe, capable of using only petrol, as this engine is imported.
In 2010 (2011 model) Fiat replaced the Torque engine (1.9 16v Flex) with a new 1.8 16v E.TorQ, derived from old 1.6 16v SOHC Tritec engine
s used in Mini Cooper and Chrysler PT Cruiser
. Fiat Powertrain Technologies
changed the displacement from 1598 cc to 1747 cc and made it a flex fuel engine (etanol/petrol). Max power output was the same (compared with old Torque engine), but it would come earlier, and torque has increased from 183 newton metre to 185 newton metre. Car performance was not so different, this was more a strategic decision for Fiat (using only E-Torq engines in Latin America).
Launched in January 2009 in India, the Linea is available with a 1.4 L Fire petrol engine 90 PS, 1.3 L Multijet diesel engine and 93 PS. Another variant of the Fiat Linea, which includes the much acclaimed 1.4 L T-JET Engine pumping out 114 PS, was released on 8 October 2010 in India.
Fiat Linea runs in a different segment and has different competition in Brazil and India. In Brazil it is positioned against Honda Civic, Chevrolet Vectra (Opel Astra), Toyota Corolla, Citroën C4 Pallas, Nissan Sentra and Ford Focus where as in India it is positioned in the upper C segment and goes against cars like Ford Fiesta, Honda City and Hyundai Accent/Verna.
This positioning has been done to gain a foothold in the Indian market and to achieve the reduced price several features such as the TS and ESC are optional.
hands-free system, a Microsoft Windows Mobile-based system with multilanguage voice recognition and speech functions. The system allows one to browse the mobile's phonebook, read SMSes aloud and display them on the MID, and controls the audio system. A USB stick with music files on it can be plugged into the built-in USB port and music can be played via Blue&Me's built-in Microsoft Windows Media Player.
In Brazil the Linea, can be equipped optionally with a Blue&Me Nav system, an enhanced Blue&Me system that has a GPS system
integrated. This GPS system doesn't show maps in a touch screen, but it has a regular display that shows some arrows and directions and you are also guided by voice instructions. You can either enter addresses that you want to go and other instructions by voice instructions just like the regular Blue&Me system or using the controls on the steering wheel. The Linea is the first car in Brazil that has an integrated GPS system.
The Fiat Linea was launched in South Africa in September 2009.
(*) Discontinued
Some Standard features of Fiat Linea include: automatic climate control, Blue&Me
with steering mounted controls, speed sensitive front wipers and volume control, dual rear AC vents, Advanced Driver Information System (DIS) not found in many other cars.
Fiat Linea that marked the comeback of Fiat in the Indian market has now come up with Fiat Linea T Jet that will be launched at the 2010 Auto Expo in New Delhi. The all new Fiat Linea T Jet is equipped with a 1.4L turbo charged petrol engine and shells out 114 PS at 5000 rpm and a striking torque of 207 newton metre at 2200 rpm. Acceleration and pick up impresses too, with Fiat Linea T Jet zooming from 0–100 km/h in 10.2 seconds and reaching to a top speed of 200 kilometre per hour.
Some additional features of Linea T-Jet (Indian version) include: 16 inch alloy wheels with 205/55 R16 tires having disc brakes on all four tires, Italian leather seats, increased ground clearance of 170 mm (6.7 in), improved quality of interiors.
Fiat Linea models
and Toyota Corolla
, the market leaders for its class. As such, Fiat
has launched the L'Unico Club, that offers VIP services for Linea owners, such as special exclusive lines and exclusive attendants for Linea owners, invitations for special events (concerts, theater plays, expositions, etc.), get and deliver service for maintenance and 3 years warranty, the biggest warranty for Fiat
cars in Brazil.
along with the Grande Punto are part of the special service from Fiat
, namely Fiat First, launched on 15 October 2009,- which caters to 24x7 Road Assistance for punctures, common spares, accident repairs and towing. Fiat provides free 24x7 Roadside Assistance package for 50 months with 2+2 years extended warranty to all Fiat customers. This service is exclusive to Fiat India only. The Fiat Linea competes with subcompact sedans like the Honda City
, Ford Fiesta
1.6S, Hyundai Verna and the Maruti Suzuki SX4
. Fiat boasts of an extensive and growing sales network in India with its partnership with TATA Motors. Tata-Fiat showrooms have on display cars from both manufacturers. The car is manufactured at Fiat's state of the art Ranjangaon facility in Pune
, Maharashtra
.
Tofas
Tofaş is a Turkish automaker, based in Bursa, Turkey, where also a plant of the company is located. It builds Fiat models under license and also some locally-designed vehicles...
plant in Bursa, Turkey, by the Italian automaker Fiat
Fiat
FIAT, an acronym for Fabbrica Italiana Automobili Torino , is an Italian automobile manufacturer, engine manufacturer, financial, and industrial group based in Turin in the Italian region of Piedmont. Fiat was founded in 1899 by a group of investors including Giovanni Agnelli...
as a world car
World car
The phrase world car is used to describe a car designed for, or achieving, worldwide sales using the same platform and components, often with variety of body styles...
in developing countries. It replaced the aging Marea
Fiat Marea
The Fiat Marea is a small family car available as a saloon and an estate , produced by the Italian automaker Fiat. Launched in 1996, the Marea models were essentially different body styles of Fiat's hatchback offerings, the Bravo and Brava. The Marea replaced the earlier Tipo-based Fiat Tempra...
as the largest saloon in the Fiat range. It is based on the current Fiat Grande Punto
Fiat Grande Punto
The Fiat Grande Punto is a car manufactured by the Italian automaker Fiat. It was unveiled on May 5, 2005 and replaced by the Punto Evo in 2010. In September 2011 Fiat unveil the Punto model year 2012, the new version will replaced the Grande Punto and the Punto Evo...
platform. The Linea was designed by Fiat Style Centre and co-developed by Tofaş (Joint venture between Fiat Group and Koc Holding) and Fiat do Brasil.
History
Linea's size is similar to saloon versions of small family cars, like the Ford Focus, Mazda 3 and VauxhallVauxhall Astra
Astra is a model name which has been used by Vauxhall, the British subsidiary of General Motors , on their small family car ranges since 1979. Astras are technically essentially identical with similar vehicles offered by GM's German subsidiary Opel in most other European countries...
/Opel Astra
Opel Astra
The Opel Astra is a small family car engineered and manufactured by the German automaker Opel since 1991.It is branded as Vauxhall Astra in the United Kingdom, the Buick Excelle XT in China and the Chevrolet Astra/Vectra in Latin America...
. Its wheelbase is 2603 mm (102.5 in), i.e. 100 mm (3.9 in) longer than its sister models, and its total length is 4560 mm (179.5 in) or 500 mm (19.7 in) longer.
The first launch, in Turkey in 2007, was initially available with a 1.4 Fire
Fully Integrated Robotised Engine
The FIRE is a series of automobile engines from Fiat. It was designed by Italian design firm Rodolfo Bonetto . It is constructed by robot assembly plants to reduce costs....
gasoline engine and 1.3 Multijet diesel engine. Then the 1.4 TurboJet engine with 120 PS and 1.6 diesel with 105 PS made available to the market. The production at Tofaş plant is mostly aimed for local Turkish, whereas CBUs are shippsed to EU market and CKD components are shipped to Tatarstan plant of Fiat joint venture in Russia.
Launched in September 2008 in Brazil, Linea was available with a 1.9 L 16v "Torque" engine with 132 PS, flexible for the Brazilian market (capable of using petrol or ethanol
Ethanol
Ethanol, also called ethyl alcohol, pure alcohol, grain alcohol, or drinking alcohol, is a volatile, flammable, colorless liquid. It is a psychoactive drug and one of the oldest recreational drugs. Best known as the type of alcohol found in alcoholic beverages, it is also used in thermometers, as a...
). Also in Brazil Linea is available with a 1.4 L 16v T-Jet engine with 152 PS, the same engine used in Fiat Grande Punto
Fiat Grande Punto
The Fiat Grande Punto is a car manufactured by the Italian automaker Fiat. It was unveiled on May 5, 2005 and replaced by the Punto Evo in 2010. In September 2011 Fiat unveil the Punto model year 2012, the new version will replaced the Grande Punto and the Punto Evo...
Abarth in Europe, capable of using only petrol, as this engine is imported.
In 2010 (2011 model) Fiat replaced the Torque engine (1.9 16v Flex) with a new 1.8 16v E.TorQ, derived from old 1.6 16v SOHC Tritec engine
Tritec engine
In 1997, Chrysler Corporation and Rover Group formed Tritec, a joint venture to design a new small straight-4 engine for small cars. They built a factory in Campo Largo of Curitiba, Brazil, to manufacture the engine. When BMW sold Rover Group, BMW retained the stake in Tritec.It is also called the...
s used in Mini Cooper and Chrysler PT Cruiser
Chrysler PT Cruiser
The Chrysler PT Cruiser is a retro styled compact automobile launched by Chrysler as a 5-door hatchback in early 2000 and as a 2-door convertible in early 2005 ....
. Fiat Powertrain Technologies
Fiat Powertrain Technologies
The Fiat Powertrain Technologies is a part the Fiat Group, which includes all the activities related to powertrains and transmissions to Fiat Automobiles Iveco , Centro Ricerche Fiat and Elasis....
changed the displacement from 1598 cc to 1747 cc and made it a flex fuel engine (etanol/petrol). Max power output was the same (compared with old Torque engine), but it would come earlier, and torque has increased from 183 newton metre to 185 newton metre. Car performance was not so different, this was more a strategic decision for Fiat (using only E-Torq engines in Latin America).
Launched in January 2009 in India, the Linea is available with a 1.4 L Fire petrol engine 90 PS, 1.3 L Multijet diesel engine and 93 PS. Another variant of the Fiat Linea, which includes the much acclaimed 1.4 L T-JET Engine pumping out 114 PS, was released on 8 October 2010 in India.
Fiat Linea runs in a different segment and has different competition in Brazil and India. In Brazil it is positioned against Honda Civic, Chevrolet Vectra (Opel Astra), Toyota Corolla, Citroën C4 Pallas, Nissan Sentra and Ford Focus where as in India it is positioned in the upper C segment and goes against cars like Ford Fiesta, Honda City and Hyundai Accent/Verna.
This positioning has been done to gain a foothold in the Indian market and to achieve the reduced price several features such as the TS and ESC are optional.
Car systems
Linea is equipped with the Blue&MeBlue&Me
Blue&Me is an infotainment system for Fiat Group cars based on Microsoft Auto and developed in a partnership between Magneti Marelli and Microsoft Corporation. The system is based on modular structure which allows installation and use of arbitrary services. The system offers Bluetooth and USB...
hands-free system, a Microsoft Windows Mobile-based system with multilanguage voice recognition and speech functions. The system allows one to browse the mobile's phonebook, read SMSes aloud and display them on the MID, and controls the audio system. A USB stick with music files on it can be plugged into the built-in USB port and music can be played via Blue&Me's built-in Microsoft Windows Media Player.
In Brazil the Linea, can be equipped optionally with a Blue&Me Nav system, an enhanced Blue&Me system that has a GPS system
Automotive navigation system
An automotive navigation system is a satellite navigation system designed for use in automobiles. It typically uses a GPS navigation device to acquire position data to locate the user on a road in the unit's map database. Using the road database, the unit can give directions to other locations...
integrated. This GPS system doesn't show maps in a touch screen, but it has a regular display that shows some arrows and directions and you are also guided by voice instructions. You can either enter addresses that you want to go and other instructions by voice instructions just like the regular Blue&Me system or using the controls on the steering wheel. The Linea is the first car in Brazil that has an integrated GPS system.
The Fiat Linea was launched in South Africa in September 2009.
Engines
| Model | Engine | Displacement | Power | Torque | 0–100 km/h,s | Top speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.4 - 8v | I4 Straight-4 The inline-four engine or straight-four engine is an internal combustion engine with all four cylinders mounted in a straight line, or plane along the crankcase. The single bank of cylinders may be oriented in either a vertical or an inclined plane with all the pistons driving a common crankshaft.... |
1368 cc | 77 PS @ 6000 rpm | 115 newton metre @3000 rpm | 14.6 | 165 km/h (103 mph) |
| 1.4 - 16v | I4 Straight-4 The inline-four engine or straight-four engine is an internal combustion engine with all four cylinders mounted in a straight line, or plane along the crankcase. The single bank of cylinders may be oriented in either a vertical or an inclined plane with all the pistons driving a common crankshaft.... |
1368 cc | 90 PS @ 6000 rpm | 115 newton metre @4500rpm | 13.6 | 182 km/h (113 mph) |
| 1.3 Multijet 16v | I4 Straight-4 The inline-four engine or straight-four engine is an internal combustion engine with all four cylinders mounted in a straight line, or plane along the crankcase. The single bank of cylinders may be oriented in either a vertical or an inclined plane with all the pistons driving a common crankshaft.... |
1248 cc | 90 PS @ 4000 rpm | 200 newton metre @1750 rpm | 13.8 | 170 km/h (106 mph) |
| 1.6 Multijet 16v | I4 Straight-4 The inline-four engine or straight-four engine is an internal combustion engine with all four cylinders mounted in a straight line, or plane along the crankcase. The single bank of cylinders may be oriented in either a vertical or an inclined plane with all the pistons driving a common crankshaft.... |
1598 cc | 105 PS @ 4000 rpm | 290 newton metre @1500 rpm | 11.0 | 190 km/h (118 mph) |
| 1.4 16v T-Jet | I4 Straight-4 The inline-four engine or straight-four engine is an internal combustion engine with all four cylinders mounted in a straight line, or plane along the crankcase. The single bank of cylinders may be oriented in either a vertical or an inclined plane with all the pistons driving a common crankshaft.... |
1368 cc | 120 PS @ 5000 rpm | 206 newton metre @1750 rpm | 9.2 | 195 km/h (121 mph) |
| 1.4 16v T-Jet | I4 Straight-4 The inline-four engine or straight-four engine is an internal combustion engine with all four cylinders mounted in a straight line, or plane along the crankcase. The single bank of cylinders may be oriented in either a vertical or an inclined plane with all the pistons driving a common crankshaft.... |
1368 cc | 152 PS @ 5500 rpm | 207 newton metre @2250 rpm | 8.5 | 203 km/h (126 mph) |
| 1.9 16v Flex (*) | I4 Straight-4 The inline-four engine or straight-four engine is an internal combustion engine with all four cylinders mounted in a straight line, or plane along the crankcase. The single bank of cylinders may be oriented in either a vertical or an inclined plane with all the pistons driving a common crankshaft.... |
1839 cc | 132 PS @ 5750 rpm | 183 newton metre @4500 rpm | 10.5 | 188 km/h (117 mph) |
| 1.8 16v E-Torq Flex | I4 Straight-4 The inline-four engine or straight-four engine is an internal combustion engine with all four cylinders mounted in a straight line, or plane along the crankcase. The single bank of cylinders may be oriented in either a vertical or an inclined plane with all the pistons driving a common crankshaft.... |
1747 cc | 132 PS @ 5250 rpm | 185 newton metre @4500 rpm | 9.9 | 192 km/h (119 mph) |
(*) Discontinued
Fiat Linea in India
Presently, four different variants of Fiat Linea available are Active, Dynamic, Emotion and Emotion Pack. A Linea Dynamic pack was also available earlier but has been discontinued since April 2010. All these variants are available with both petrol (1.4 L FIRE) and diesel (1.3 L MultiJet) engine option. These versions are decided on the basis of price to content ratio in these vehicles.Some Standard features of Fiat Linea include: automatic climate control, Blue&Me
Blue&Me
Blue&Me is an infotainment system for Fiat Group cars based on Microsoft Auto and developed in a partnership between Magneti Marelli and Microsoft Corporation. The system is based on modular structure which allows installation and use of arbitrary services. The system offers Bluetooth and USB...
with steering mounted controls, speed sensitive front wipers and volume control, dual rear AC vents, Advanced Driver Information System (DIS) not found in many other cars.
Fiat Linea that marked the comeback of Fiat in the Indian market has now come up with Fiat Linea T Jet that will be launched at the 2010 Auto Expo in New Delhi. The all new Fiat Linea T Jet is equipped with a 1.4L turbo charged petrol engine and shells out 114 PS at 5000 rpm and a striking torque of 207 newton metre at 2200 rpm. Acceleration and pick up impresses too, with Fiat Linea T Jet zooming from 0–100 km/h in 10.2 seconds and reaching to a top speed of 200 kilometre per hour.
Some additional features of Linea T-Jet (Indian version) include: 16 inch alloy wheels with 205/55 R16 tires having disc brakes on all four tires, Italian leather seats, increased ground clearance of 170 mm (6.7 in), improved quality of interiors.
Fiat Linea models
| Fiat Linea Active | It is the base variant that comes with most of the safety, comfort and convenience features like Rear AC vents, All four power windows with Auto up/down feature, Theater dimming front cockpit lights with spotlight function, Hydraulic power steering, Speed sensitive front wipers and AC adjusted for tropical climate but lacks two important features- ABS and dual Airbags as they are not mandatory in India. |
| Fiat Linea Dynamic | It comes with few more features like Driver Seat height adjust, electrically adjustable outside rear view mirror (ORVMs), Programmable Speed Limit Warning System, additional Rear cabin lights, front fog lamps, night panel in roof lights, rear roof light, and foldable desmodronic remote key. |
| Fiat Linea Emotion | The addition feature that this variant offers are – Automatic Climate Control with dual Rear AC Vents, 15 inch alloys, ABS with EBD CD player with 6 speakers, Front seat arm rest with glove box, double folding rear back seat, collapsible rear sun curtain, sun glass holder, leather wrapped steering wheel and gear knob, Electric boot opening from remote folable key, front seat back pockets. |
| Fiat Linea Emotion Pack | It is the top end variant of Fiat Linea that offers few additional features in comparison to its lower variants. These features are – Blue&Me system with Windows Media player and voice interaction and commands, Dual front airbags, Front seat belts pre-tensioners & load limiter, steering mounted audio and Blue&Me controls, vanity mirror on both side. |
L'Unico Club
In Brazil, Fiat is aiming the Linea towards the Japanese cars, such as Honda CivicHonda Civic
The Honda Civic is a line of subcompact and subsequently compact cars made and manufactured by Honda. The Civic, along with the Accord and Prelude, comprised Honda's vehicles sold in North America until the 1990s, when the model lineup was expanded...
and Toyota Corolla
Toyota Corolla
The Toyota Corolla is a line of subcompact and compact cars manufactured by the Japanese automaker Toyota, which has become very popular throughout the world since the nameplate was first introduced in 1966. In 1997, the Corolla became the best selling nameplate in the world, with over 35 million...
, the market leaders for its class. As such, Fiat
Fiat
FIAT, an acronym for Fabbrica Italiana Automobili Torino , is an Italian automobile manufacturer, engine manufacturer, financial, and industrial group based in Turin in the Italian region of Piedmont. Fiat was founded in 1899 by a group of investors including Giovanni Agnelli...
has launched the L'Unico Club, that offers VIP services for Linea owners, such as special exclusive lines and exclusive attendants for Linea owners, invitations for special events (concerts, theater plays, expositions, etc.), get and deliver service for maintenance and 3 years warranty, the biggest warranty for Fiat
Fiat
FIAT, an acronym for Fabbrica Italiana Automobili Torino , is an Italian automobile manufacturer, engine manufacturer, financial, and industrial group based in Turin in the Italian region of Piedmont. Fiat was founded in 1899 by a group of investors including Giovanni Agnelli...
cars in Brazil.
Fiat First
In India, the LineaLinea
Linea is Latin for 'line'. In planetary geology it is used to refer to any long marking, dark or bright, on a planet or moon's surface. The planet Venus and Jupiter's moon Europa have numerous lineae; Saturn's moon Rhea has several.-See also:...
along with the Grande Punto are part of the special service from Fiat
Fiat
FIAT, an acronym for Fabbrica Italiana Automobili Torino , is an Italian automobile manufacturer, engine manufacturer, financial, and industrial group based in Turin in the Italian region of Piedmont. Fiat was founded in 1899 by a group of investors including Giovanni Agnelli...
, namely Fiat First, launched on 15 October 2009,- which caters to 24x7 Road Assistance for punctures, common spares, accident repairs and towing. Fiat provides free 24x7 Roadside Assistance package for 50 months with 2+2 years extended warranty to all Fiat customers. This service is exclusive to Fiat India only. The Fiat Linea competes with subcompact sedans like the Honda City
Honda City
The Honda City is a subcompact car manufactured by the Japanese manufacturer Honda since 1981. Originally made for the Japanese, European and Australasian markets, the City was retired without replacement in 1994...
, Ford Fiesta
Ford Fiesta
The Ford Fiesta is a front wheel drive supermini/subcompact manufactured and marketed by Ford Motor Company and built in Europe, Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, Venezuela, China, India, Thailand and South Africa...
1.6S, Hyundai Verna and the Maruti Suzuki SX4
Suzuki SX4
The Suzuki SX4 is a compact car developed by Japanese automaker Suzuki and sold by Suzuki and by Fiat and produced since 2006.-History:...
. Fiat boasts of an extensive and growing sales network in India with its partnership with TATA Motors. Tata-Fiat showrooms have on display cars from both manufacturers. The car is manufactured at Fiat's state of the art Ranjangaon facility in Pune
Pune
Pune , is the eighth largest metropolis in India, the second largest in the state of Maharashtra after Mumbai, and the largest city in the Western Ghats. Once the centre of power of the Maratha Empire, it is situated 560 metres above sea level on the Deccan plateau at the confluence of the Mula ...
, Maharashtra
Maharashtra
Maharashtra is a state located in India. It is the second most populous after Uttar Pradesh and third largest state by area in India...
.