It has hardly been three months since the launch of 2012 Fiat Linea in Indian market. However, in Turkey, Fiat has started assembling a facelifted Linea.
The new Linea, as seen in the pictures below has a redesigned front bumper and a new pair of fog lamps. The parabolic headlamps remain the same but the sporty mesh grille has gone. Instead, Fiat has made the design simpler by having just two horizontal chrome slats and a thick chrome surround. The side profile largely remains unchanged while at the rear expect mild design changes in the boot lid and the bumper. Also see our 2012 Fiat Linea video review.
In Turkey, the outgoing model of the Linea is powered by the same three engine options offered in India: the 1.4-litre petrol, 1.4-litre T-Jet petrol and the 1.3-litre Multijet diesel but it is also offered in a 1.6-litre Multijet diesel engine. The facelifted Linea will have a 1.4-litre Multi-air petrol engine and the second generation 1.3-litre Multijet diesel engine. Whether the 1.4-litre Multi-air petrol will make its way to the India bound Linea is yet to be known.
Fiat launched the 2012 Linea in India with new features such as rain sensing wipers, automatic headlamps, improved sound proofing (diesel versions), improved air conditioning system and best-in-class ground clearance (185 mm).
Despite the upgrades, sales of the Linea have not progressed. The company sells less than 500 units of the Linea a month while its rivals such as Honda City, Volkswagen Vento and Skoda Rapid sell at over 2,500 units per month. Do you think, the new Linea with cosmetic updates, which may take a year to hit the Indian market, can help Fiat improve its sales?
(Image Courtesy: autoedizone)
