Fiat Linea tested by CarWale

In the mid and normally usable range, I do not want to compare even SX4, City or Dzire with Linea because it is far ahead. I am comapring Linea's performance and acceleration with Civic, Altis, Verna. 

0 to 100

Linea - 15, Civic - 9.5, Altis - 10.4, Verna - 11.3

20 to 80

Linea-11.8, Civic - 12.2, Altis - 10.9, Verna - 12.3

40 to 100

Linea - 13.6, Civic - 16.3, Altis - 15.8, Verna - 16.3

In normal life situation we all do not start from 0 with clear tracks in front of us after a flag off to zoom from 0 to 100.

We are normally at or abvoe 30 KMPH and above 3rd gear. In this range, Linea can not be beaten by even Civic, Altis or Verna.  I do not even want to consider Fiesta, SX4, City, Optra, Dzire - I had earlier given the comparative figures in the same posting. In reality too, I have found that it just zips ahead in highways and is a breeze to overtake. Also you can confidently go to higher speeds in Linea - not just because of acceleration only but also because you feel very confident due to its high speed dynamics, ride and handling, roadgrip etc.

If we feel that the engine is tiny for that car - it is again based on the paper. Even that tiny engine gives acceleration in the midarange that is far better than that of Civic, Altis or Verna diesel.

True, It was not mentioned as bad engine in earlier posting - it was mentioned as the "worst engine on heaviest car"

We all know that the high speed dynamics of Verna as well as Corolla Altis is not that great. Verna is nervous and Altis is not that great.

Dont you think your figures are WAY TOO OPTIMISTIC there ?

I had performed some of the timing tests on my own and i also have figures from autocar and they seem to be more like :

20-80 = 14.3 sec

40-100= 19 sec

Check out an AUTOCAR issue if you dont believe it.

Just by making up your own times doesnt make a SLOW CAR fast ...

Mods: can we agree that if someone puts up figures, he'll have to quote the source? (Eg: Autocar India, Nov '09)

Exactly, thats why i have quoted AUTOCAR India figures.

Check it out if you  need to be re-assured .

True, those figures are for Linea Petrol not Line MJD

I am not making up my own times - please refer to the same magazine but for MJD and for any car that I have quoted in the posting

YES - and not name alone but issue too (mth/yr).

Besides, while discussing/quoting figures (whatever), also talk about the version - so that it is not confusing - Petrol or Diesel.

@AVIS SARKAR,

 This is not to argue with you or join issues,or to hurt you in anyways

  yes,you may be right when you say that linea is not fast and is heavy,1.25 tons,etc,exactly and precisely that is the reason is bought the linea for,its heavy,rock solid and undoubtedly reassuring and confidence inspiring,atleast that is what when i look for when i buy a car

 yes,i would compromise safety for speed anyday

 did you read what happened when a newly delivered linea in gujarat met with an accident with a lorry loaded with granites,all the granites falling on the car,leading to a total damage of the car,but all the three occupants came out unscathed,without a bruise and they immediately booked another linea

even,i would prefer that way,i would prefer my car to build by solid(double reinforced incase of linea) steell,be heavy and as a result be slow rather than a car build with sort of tin sheets and be quick and fast like those cars you had compared linea with.(a ANHC owner who had a total damage could hardly recover any money,as there was more plastics than metal in the car and he finally ended up buying a linea)

no offence intended

Yes you are absolutely true Bala. But as I have said earlier not all of us need a car to cover grand prixes. Most people drive in cities where reaching high speeds is very difficult. Only on Highways do we get a clear road and can speed up. 

Now thats best left to personal preferances and priorities.

One point I must raise is that no matter how good a car is otherwise, when it is no fun to drive, you will surely get bored of it in no time. When newer and more powerful cars with better safety standards come out, you will feel that you are "stuck" with this car feel like changing it  as soon as possible, which means that you will loose alot of  money in doing so as Fiats never hold good resale values.

I know so because i had an Esteem VX in 1998( the 65Bhp one) and i was forced to sell it off although it was in perfect condition and upgrade to a more powerful Ikon 1.6 in 2 years just beacuse i was bored of its lacklustre performance.