Fiat India is looking to attract more customers to its brand, and the easiest way to do that is expand its current lineup of cars. Fiat thinks that a lower variant of the Linea might help sales improve and so they will be launching the Fiat Linea Classic in India on 25th September. We will be covering the launch event live, keep tuned into this page to know the latest on the new car.
Updated on 25th September 2013
Fiat India has launched the Fiat Linea Classic in India. The Fiat Linea Classic is the stripped down version of the Linea, and will be sold even after Fiat introduces the new Linea in 2014. It will take on the cars in the compact sedan category, such as the popular Honda Amaze, the Maruti Suzuki Dzire, The Chevrolet Sail Sedan etc. Looks like the Fiat Classic will give the company a boost, it seems like a very good value-for-money proposition.
Price
The Fiat Linea Classic is available in three variants and with two engine options. There is one variant with the 1.4-litre petrol engine and two variants with the 1.3-litre diesel engine.
Fiat Linea Classic (1.4-litre Petrol): Rs. 5.99 Lakh
Fiat Linea Classic (1.3-litre Multijet Diesel): Rs. 6.96 Lakh
Fiat Linea Classic+ (1.3-litre Multijet Diesel): Rs. 7.51 Lakh
(ex-showroom Delhi)
What’s New?
Exterior
The Linea Classic looks not different from the normal Linea at first glance (which is a good thing), it takes a bit of effort to spot the differences:
- Chrome surround silver-painted grille is only available on the Classic+ diesel variant, the other two variants get a black grille.
- All the variants get metalic paint options: Pearl White, Tuscan Wine, Minimal Grey, Hip Hop Black and Oceanic Blue
- The Classic+ variant gets body coloured door handles and ORVM covers (without turn indicators), the other two get black ones
- All the variants get body coloured bumpers
- The Classic+ variant gets 14-inch wheels with wheel covers, the other two miss out on the wheel covers. All the variants get 175 mm section tyres.
Interior
Keeping with the theme outside, the Fiat Linea Classic loses many of the things that made the interiors of the Linea look upmakret, this is not to say that the interiors of the Linea Classic look bad.
- Dual-tone dashboard found on regular models replaced by an all-black dashboard
- Roof lamp is only available on the Classic+ variant
- Fabric seats only available on the Classic+, others get vinyl seats
- Classic+ variant gets silver door handles, others get black ones
- No seat pockets behind the front seats
Features
The variant that you want to go for if you want some bells and whistles is the Classic+, the others forego many features to bring the costs down.
Standard features across variants:
- Tachometer
- Follow me headlamps
- Speed limit buzzer
- Trip computer
- Power windows on all doors
- Power steering with tilt adjust
- Manual A/C
- Rear Fog Lamps
- Rear armrest
- 500 litres of luggage space
The Classic+ variant these features exclusively:
- Central locking
- Door open indicator
- Rear defogger
- Lamp in the luggage compartment
- Vanity mirror for the passenger
- Electric remote tailgate open (other variants get the cable operated ones)
- Integrated music player with CD/MP3/FM
On the safety front, all variants get front disc brakes and drum brakes at the rear. The Classic+ variant gets ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) with EBD (Electronic Brake Distribution)
Engine and Transmission
The Fiat Linea Classic is offered with two engine options: a 1.4-litre, 89 BHP/115 Nm petrol engine with a claimed fuel economy of 14.9 KMPL and a 1.3-litre, 75 BHP/197 Nm diesel enigne with a claimed fuel economy of 19.5 KMPL. Both the engines are mated to a 5-speed manual transmission.
Video: Fiat Linea Classic Walkaround Review
What do you think of the Fiat Linea Classic? Is this a good option over the other cars available in this price range? Let us know in the comments section below.
Updated on 24th September 2013
The spy shots of the car are out already, taken at a Fiat dealership. Check them out below:
The Linea Classic is no different in terms of looks to the other variants of the Linea. What sets its apart is that it loses some features to bring down the price of the car. The Linea Classic will replace the Linea Active variant as the cheapest offering in the car’s lineup. The list of features that will set the Linea Classic apart are:
- 14-inch steel wheels, other variants get either a 15-inch steel/alloys or 16-inch alloy wheels
- Classic badging on the boot
- All black dashboard, other variants get a dual-tone dashboard
The Linea Classic would be powered by the same engines that power the other variants of the car; a 1.3-litre diesel motor and a 1.4-litre petrol, mated to a five-speed manual transmission. The Fiat Linea Classic won’t have any changes in its dimensions, hence will be the largest “entry-level” car with great space and comfort. It is expected that the car will be priced from about Rs 5.99 Lakh, which would make it a very good value for money proposition. What do you think about the Fiat Linea Classic? Let us know in the comments section below. Image Source: MotorTrend India
