2013 Fiat Linea: Official Images out!

Fiat has launched the facelifted Linea in Turkey and this model is expected to hit Indian shores by 2013. A couple of weeks ago, CarToq reported about leaked spy shots of the new Linea and now official images of the Linea being sold in Turkey are out.

Let’s see the differences between the looks of the present Linea and the upcoming Linea.

New Front

The facelifted Linea gets a new radiator grille with two prominent horizontal slats with the Fiat logo on top of the slats. In the new Linea, a thick chrome strip separates the fog lamp housings and the lower air dam. The parabolic headlamps of the outgoing model is retained in the new model, however, there are subtle changes in the detailing.

Refreshed Rear

The Linea facelift features a redesigned boot door. The number plate which has been integrated to the rear bumper in the present model, has now been moved to the boot door. In the new Linea, there are two thick horizontal chrome straps, one above the number plate and the other integrated to the rear bumper. The shape of the tail lamp cluster remains the same in both the versions, but Fiat has given a mild clear lens treatment in the facelift version.  Note that the side profile of both the cars remains the same.

Revamped dashboard

The Linea facelift gets dual tone dashboard with clever use of beige tone in the middle of the dashboard breaking the monotony of the grey shades. The shapes of steering wheel and middle AC vents remain unchanged, but the AC vents on the edges are round in shape.

The scoops for the instrument cluster have been carved out seamlessly while the 3D dials should be easier to read at a glance. The central console also gets a new layout which is aesthetically better than the retro theme of the present model. Expect the plastic quality, fit and finish to improve in the new Linea.

Engines

In Turkey, the facelifted Linea gets the 1.4-litre Multi-air petrol engine and the second generation 1.3-litre Multijet diesel engine. But there is less possibility for Fiat to offer the 1.4-litre Multi-air engine in Indian market as the new technology would incur more production cost that may drastically increase the price of Linea which is already selling in very low numbers. Hence, expect the facelift version to carry over the same engines of the present model: a 1.4-liter FIRE motor that puts out 88 bhp of power, a 1.4 litre turbocharged T-Jet petrol engine puts out 113 bhp and a 1.3-litre MULTIJET diesel motor churns out 92 bhp of power.

Summary

Overall, the Linea facelift looks better on the inside than the outside. Fiat will likely keep the launch of Linea facelift on the back burner, as the company currently focuses on opening exclusive dealerships in the coming months. Hence, potential buyers may have to wait at least till 2013 to drive home the new Linea.