Car tested: 2010 Fiat Linea T-Jet Plus
Price OTR Mumbai: Rs. 10,35,929/-
Micheal Schumacher is the greatest formula 1 driver in history, at least till date and with seven world championships, its nearly impossible for anyone to surpass his feat. As always, its the man and machine combination which does the trick and when Schumacher is seen making a getaway in the Linea Tjet, you have to give some credit to the car. Yes, we are talking a popular European advert of the Linea T-Jet. (youtube it and you know what we are talking about). The Tjet is the first Turbo petrol in the segment and is bound to please the petrol heads. We take the Fiat Linea T-Jet for a spin and find out.
Exteriors – The Tjet makes itself obvious with Tjet badges on both the front grille and on the right hand corner of the boot. The Fiat Linea has claimed many accolades complementing its looks and the Tjet is only better.
Besides the badging, its not to hard to notice new chunky alloys with a wee bit fatter rubber. Other changes include a new antenna and a chrome rectangular exhaust tip. Rest of the features are common to the regular Linea. The Tjet is available in 2 variants namely, the Tjet and the Tjet plus. The Tjet plus includes wider tyres, 16 inch alloy wheels, imported leather upholstery and an increased ground clearance of 170mm. The Tjet is exclusively available in sunbeam beige besides few other regular colours.
Interiors – Fiat has faced a lot wrath over interior quality, fit and finish. Interiors were stepped up in the Punto 90 HP and the Linea Tjet is as good as it can get.
Plastics quality is better and fit and finish is appreciated instantly. Notice the improved quality of the dash with a characteristic soft finish. Chrome has been used generously in the interiors and is seen with the dashboard moulding, handbrake lever button, gear boot ring and the dashboard AC vent knobs.
The Tjet plus offers imported leather seats which feel good and look rich.
No space savers. The Linea Tjet gives you a set of 5 alloy wheels and the same 205/55/16 spec spare tyre.
On the Move – Start the engine and its barely audible. Amongst the things which one will notice first is that the cabin chills instantly once the ac is turned on. Thanks to an all new compressor and a few modifications to the blower fan (speed mainly), the cabin cools faster even on low fan speeds and the Linea sure makes its occupants comfortable. Slot into gear and you wont feel much punch till about 1500 rpm. Get to about 2000 and you can hear the hiss of the turbo kicking in and then its game on. The Tjet accelerates effortlessly and can outdo almost everyone in the segment. With 114 PS on hand its hard to get your foot off the gas especially when the Tjet delivers 207 NM of torque at a mere 2200 rpm, making it an ideal car for both city and highway conditions.
The Linea’s handling was top class anyway and with additional torque on disposal, Fiat has tweaked the handling characteristics of the Linea Tjet courtesy of 16 inch alloys with wider 205/55 Goodyear NCT5 tyres, which are more grippy as compared to the GT3’s seen on the other Linea variants.
With additional power on disposal, braking needs to be improved too and rear disc brakes plays a vital role in making sure the Tjet responds to the slightest touch of the brake pedal. High speed stability is top notch and when cornering at high speeds the Tjet stays on line as if running on rails. Ground clearance of 170 mm ensures the underside stays untouched and ride quality is comfortable. An ideal balance between comfortable ride and sharp handling.
Performance – The Linea Tjet runs effectively the same 1368 cc FIRE engine but thanks to the tubocharger, the Tjet produces 114 Ps @ 5000 RPM as compared to the regular petrol engine which produces 90 PS @ 6000 RP and it not only the horsepower which interests the enthusiasts, we are taking about torque. The Tjet produces 207 NM of torque as low as 2200 RPM, which is almost similar to the diesel mutijet engine (209 NM @ 2000 RPM). This low end torque makes the Tjet a fun car to drive, mind you, it can get really difficult to drive the Tjet slowly. As soon as the revs hit 2200 RPM, the turbo kicks in full potential and makes itself obvious with a typical hissing sound. Step on the gas and the Tjet just keeps going on and on. A 0 – 100 dash comes in 11.7 seconds and the car easily hits 160. Top speed is rated at 186 kmph but seriously there is no place (rather no need) in Mumbai to drive it that fast. ARAI figures claim 14.6 kmpl but in all practicality expect about 10 kmph (city & highway). The Tjet is not the car for the economy conscious, this car is for the enthusiasts, for those who look at pure driving pleasure and the Tjet gives you more than that.
Conclusion – The Linea Tjet is the first turbo petrol car in the segment and its really difficult to find fault with it. The Linea has already impressed many people with classic Italian styling and a host of features to ensure a comfortable and safe driving experience and the Tjet adds the extra power punch to the package. Priced at 10.35 lakhs (on road Mumbai), the Tjet is true value for money and is sure to sell like hot cakes amongst those who want a petrol car which delivers pure driving pleasure, comfort and safety. Putting it in simple words, the Linea Tjet is simply Jectacular.
Whats Cool
* Ride & Handling
* Braking
* Improved Interiors and Leather Seats
* Low End Torque and Performance
* Improved Air conditioning
Whats Not So Cool
* Tata service
* Co-driver can unlock all doors from their door
Fiat Linea 1.4 T-Jet Specifications : –
Engine: 1368cc, 16V, DOHC, 4 Cylinder
Power: 114PS @ 5000rpm
Torque: 207Nm @2200rpm
Transmission: 5 Speed Manual
Drive: Front Wheel
Top Speed: 186 kmph
0-100kmph: 11.14 seconds
Fuel Consumption: 9-10 kmpl (City), 11-12 kmpl (highway)
Fuel Type: Petrol Unleaded
Suspension: Independant Wheel, Helical Coil Springs, Double Acting Telescopic Dampers and Stabilizer Bar (Front), Telescopic Beam, Helical Coil Springs, Double Acting Telescopic Dampers and Stabilizer Bar (Rear)
Tires: 205/55/16 Tubeless
Brakes: Internally ventilated discs (Front & Rear) ABS, EBD
Safety: ABS, EBD, Dual SRS Airbags, Fire Prevention System, Anti-Theft Engine Immobilizer
Fiat Linea 1.4 T-Jet Dimensions : –
Overall length x width x height: 4560mm X 1730mm X 1487mm
Wheelbase: 2,603mm
Turning Radius – 5.55m
Ground clearance: 165mm
Boot Volume: 500 liters
Fuel Tank Capacity: 45 litres
Kerb Weight: 1240kgs
