Linea Mania here to stay

It is not everyday that one gets to see a superbly built, extraordinarily stylish and exceedingly agile car in the mid-sized segment. Say hello to Fiat Linea. A car that many analysts are looking at as an important introduction here, in India, as it may well be responsible for changing the fortunes of the company and bringing back Fiat its lost glory.

The Fiat Linea comes powered with a 1.3 litre (1248cc) Multijet diesel engine, the same engine that powers the Suzuki Swift (diesel) car except that it has been re-calibrated for the Linea and a1.4l petrol FIRE engine (1368cc). 

The diesel car (which we drove) handles brilliantly especially at top speeds and even while maneuvering the car within the city, you will notice that downshifting amidst traffic is a breeze. Not once will you get the feeling that the diesel car is acting up, however, the handrest provided proves to be a bit of a bother and gets in the way of changing gears. That is best handled by pushing the armrest all the way back and continuing to enjoy the phenomenal drive in the car.

In terms of looks, we assure you that the Fiat Linea will draw you in, in the very first glance and captivate you with its handsome exteriors instantly. What you see is an arresting design that on account of its clean, sensible dimensions and flowing lines will enthrall you.

There are no mismatched proportions or deliberate efforts here to portray the car as overtly manly by the design team going overboard and adding extra muscles or flared arches just to drive home the point that all Italian cars are manly. In fact, one of the most striking aspects of the Linea, is its slender shape which comes with a prominent sloping roof that blends beautifully with the windscreen. You will also appreciate the headlights, the large windows and the quarter windows in the front that lend the car it's fantastic visual appeal as well as great overall visibility while seated inside.

Inside, the seats are comfortable and come in bright beige coloured upholstery. The doors also exhibit a blend of plastic and fabric, although we felt that the armrests could've used a touch of leather and the quality on both the dash and the steering could've been a notch higher. However, the attention to detail such as  vanity mirrors with lights for both driver and passenger, steering with a great grip and audio controls mounted on it as well as an air-con vent for passengers behind definitely go on to show that a great deal of thought has gone into designing the interiors.

The car comes with a Blaupunkt system which failed to make the desired impact however, what really impressed us was the Blue&Me Communication system mounted on the car with a handy Windows icon button on the steering that gave us a choice of  tasks we wanted it to perform especially going hands free after hooking it up with a Bluetooth handset.

The car handles brilliantly and the ride quality ought to be experienced to be believed. The car glides smoothly over potholes and any uneven surfaces that the roads present. Even at really high speeds you don't get the feeling of uncertainty with this solid car as it feels firmly planted, steadfast and secure.

The car has plenty of space on the inside and offers plenty of legroom and shoulder room for both driver and passengers in the front and rear. The Linea also comes with an incredibly spacious boot (500 litres) and a fuel tank capacity of 45 litres.

Starting at Rs. 5,98,967 (ex-showroom, Delhi for the petrol model) and Rs. 6,88,983 (ex-showroom, Delhi for the diesel model,) it sure seems like this new launch is going to have people making a beeline for it.