Updated on 19th November 2013
The 2014 Fiat Linea will be unveiled/launched in India at the 2014 Indian Auto Expo, contrary to earlier news where it was speculated that it could be launched within 2013 itself. Launching the car at the Auto Expo would give it a bigger audience and better prospects at sales, which is probably why the company postponed the launch. The car was practically production ready when it was spied earlier in 2013 (check previous update below).
Apart from the minor styling changes on the outside, you can expect a much better interior on the 2014 Fiat Linea. Fiat promises that the new car will far more premium than the current car, with features like the instrument cluster being changed and new soft-touch materials used all around the cabin. There will be no changes in terms of mechanicals, engine options are expected to be carried over from the current car.
Updated on 16th August 2013
Fiat’s fortunes have not been very good as far as its Indian run in recent times is concerned but the company is not down and out yet. It plans on launching a slew of products in the country and one of them will be the facelifted version of its flagship sedan, the Fiat Linea. The facelifted version of the car has already started testing on Indian roads and the same has been caught on candid camera as well. The facelifted Linea was spotted testing in Pune by a reader of the Motorbash and he has reported that there were three test mules of the facelifted car doing the rounds and were going at decent speeds as well.
The Linea’s 2014 model will bow in early next year and will be catering to the higher C-segment. It will be up against the likes of the Verna and the City. The current generation Linea will get rebadged as Linea classic and will be pitted against the Etios, Manza and Fiesta Classic. At those price points, the Linea Classic will make for quite a good buy as it has features and performance of a car which is present in a segment a notch higher.
If you carefully look at the pictures, the front grille has two parallel lines and on top of them is the Fiat logo which is exactly what is present in 2014 Linea. The instrument panel is also bulging out and same is the case with 2014 Fiat Linea. The rear number plate is mounted on top of the bumper whereas in the current one it is on the lower side. The car’s tail lamps upon being looked carefully appear to be slightly different as well.
Talking about what would be under the hood of the car, the 2014 Fiat Linea will get a 1.6 litre Multijet diesel motor that is expected to be quite the performer. Joining it will be the 1.4 litre T-Jet petrol motor that would make it one of the most fun cars to drive around. Fiat needs something big to help turn around its fortunes in India. Will the Linea facelift spark that change in fortune? Abarth and Jeep are coming to India as well to help Fiat get back on its feet and the facelifted version of the Linea will be there to complement them.
