Fiat Linea 1.4 FIRE-After 2 years and 20k km

 

Exterior Still after 2.5years of its launch Linea is still the best looking sedan under 15 lakhs category.Those excellent curves and lines all over give the car a stunning look.According to me the side profile of the car is amazing and with those front grills it looks simply hot.The curvy roof of the car is simply amazing and gives the car a coupe like look and last but not the least with a sobre looking back the car is simply a head turner. A true Italian flair indeed.

Interior (Features, Space & Comfort) The interior quality is good and is very much comparable with the other sedans in the segment but it is not something extra ordinary to talk about unlike the exteriors.The rear legroom is good enough though headroom can be a problem for those above 6 feet 2 inches but certainly its not deal breaker.The seats are very comfortable with good underthigh and back support and I must say the froont 2 seats are huge in Linea.Seats have a height adjuster also with recline setting.The car also comes with a armrest which is a great boon in long drives.The glove box is also of average size but does not come AC cooling.

The car also comes with a rear AC vent which helps in cooling the cabin faster.The car also has a inbuilt bluetooth which hepls to take calls and read message without touching your phone.The whole multi functional display (MID) gives a whole lot of information like Inst. Consumption,Avg Consumption, Avg speed,Range,Outside temp,trip distance etc. A gadget freak will simply love to be in the car.

Engine Performance, Fuel Economy and Gearbox This car is heavy simply due to the thick sheet metal used to make the car.It is powered by the 1.4 l 90hp motor which gives decent performance and good fuel economy.Clearly it is not a car which can be driven in a rally or a drag race but gives adequate performance in city as well as on the highway.After the 2nd gear the car is simply a dream to run with its refined FIRE engine.The NVH level of the car are simply amazing and the engine is barely audible inside the cabin unless revved hard.

The gear box is good with nice and accurate shifting.The first gear is too short and dies out very soon.In all other gears the driveability is great and engine is responsive.The car easily clocks 165km/hr and beyond tat I have never tested her.

The engine is frugal and gives around 11-12 km/l in the city and 15-16 on the highways which is good considering the size and weight of the car.

Ride Quality & Handling Excellent Excellent and simply Excellent !!!!! In this department no other car under 15lks category can even come close to Linea.The car has a great Hydraulic Power Steering which gives a great feedback and is very accurate.You can push the car to each and every corner of the car and I can bet you that you will never feel nervous.The car is simply a treat to drive on highways due to its great driving dynamics and superior handling.

The Ride in Linea is also very plush and compliant thanks to great suspension setup.The car soaks all the potholes and makes the ride simply amazing.Passengers never feel bumps even on the most uneven roads though ground clearence could be a problem. Overall Ride and Handling of this car is something which I boast of.

Final Words Overall a great product from FIAT : Gorgeous looks,Adequate Engine and robust handling.The geabox need a tuning so that pick up of the car can be improved. Otherwise the car is flawless.

Areas of improvement Fit and Finish can be improved and with some tuning of the gear box the car can be fun to drive.

Remarkable styling,Excellent Ride and Handling ,Good space,Great featuresA bit sluggish,Fit and Finish