Fiat has launched the Linea Classic in India, priced from Rs. 5.99 lakhs (ex-showroom, Delhi for the base petrol). The repositioned Linea is placed right between the Grande Punto and regular Linea. Fiat will launch a facelift of the Linea early next year, which gets all new interiors. To cut costs, Fiat has removed quite a lot of equipment from the Linea Classic. The automaker is targeting a different set of buyers and the lower specced model is likely to lure fleet operators. The Italian carmaker is promoting the Fiat Linea Classic as the longest car in its segment, measuring 4560 mm in length. The dimensions remain identical to the regular Linea and thus you get a mid-size sedan for sub 4-metre compact sedan money.
The Fiat Linea is positioned in the upper C-segment while the cut price Linea Classic is positioned in the entry-level C-segment, a volume spinner for all car companies present in this price point. The Fiat Linea Classic gets all black interiors instead of a dual-tone beige cabin. Fiat has opted for smaller 14-inch wheels with wheel covers coming from the Punto. The chrome bits have been removed from the car and Fiat has detuned the engine from 90 BHP and 209 Nm to 75 BHP and 190 Nm, the same output offered in the regular Punto. However the weight remains more or less the same which at 1200 odd kgs isn’t going to give the Linea Classic swift performance by any means of the imagination.
The Fiat Linea Classic is offered in three variants, 1 petrol and 2 diesel. All variants come with power steering, four power windows, tilt steering, manual AC, follow me home headlamps, rear armrest and multi-information display as standard. The base variants don’t get an audio system and steering mounted audio controls have been omitted across the Linea Classic’s range. The mirror adjustment is manual in all the variants.
The Linea Classic Plus gets integrated audio system (with CD/MP3 and FM functions) and ABS but airbags are not offered. The petrol Linea produces 89 BHP of power from its 1.4-litre FIRE engine while the diesel engine is claimed to be tweaked for better city drivability and uses a fixed geometry turbocharger. Both engines are mated to a 5-speed manual transmission and the Italian automaker offers a 3+2 years warranty on the vehicle. The Linea Classic is available in 5 colours.
Fiat Linea Classic Prices (ex-showroom, Delhi) –
* Linea Classic Petrol – Rs. 5.99 lakhs
* Linea Classic Diesel – Rs. 6.96 lakhs
* Linea Classic+ Diesel – Rs. 7.51 lakhs
The Fiat Linea Classic competes with the Ford Classic, Maruti Suzuki Swift DZire, Honda Amaze and Mahindra Verito. However the Linea and Verito’s petrol engines lack punch and we won’t recommend them for those who want to drive on the highways frequently. The diesel engines of all the cars offer good performance although we are not quite sure about how the Linea Classic will perform with the lower output.
Petrol Sedan Price Comparison –
* Maruti Suzuki DZire – Rs. 4.93 – 6.44 lakhs
* Honda Amaze – Rs. 5.05 – 6.70 lakhs
* Mahindra Verito – Rs. 5.40 – 5.62 lakhs
* Ford Classic Petrol Price – Rs. 5.65 – Rs. 6.96 lakhs
* Fiat Linea Classic – Rs. 5.99 lakhs
Diesel Sedan Price Comparison –
* Maruti Suzuki DZire – Rs. 6.00 – 7.50 lakhs
* Honda Amaze – Rs. 6.09 – 7.70 lakhs
* Mahindra Verito – Rs. 6.38 – 7.28 lakhs
* Ford Classic Petrol Price – Rs. 6.93 – Rs. 7.97 lakhs
* Fiat Linea Classic – Rs. 6.96 – 7.51 lakhs
* all prices ex-showroom, Delhi. Prices listed in order of lower starting point.
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