9 upcoming models from Fiat

Fiat Linea Facelift to be showcased at the 2014 Indian Auto Expo along with a bunch of other vehicles for India

Fiat India will showcase the Linea facelift at the 2014 Indian Auto Expo, which could be the sedan’s launch occasion as well. The updated Linea represents a mid career facelift for the car, which gets a revised design at the front and the rear.

A new grille and bumper job at front, re-positioned number plate, new bootlid and a chrome trim for the boot are the changes at the rear. On the inside, the facelifted Linea gets a new dashboard and additional features.

Mechanically, the Linea facelift is likely to be sold with a 1.4 liter turbo petrol motor and a turbo diesel engine. A 1.6 liter version of the Multijet turbo diesel range could be shoehorned into the facelifted Linea’s engine bay.

The 1.6 liter turbo diesel engine, outputting 105 Bhp-290 Nm, if offered on the Linea facelift, will give the car the power and torque boost that has been long awaited by driving enthusiasts across India.

Also read: Fiat Linea Classic vs premium hatchbacks – is it really more car for the price?

How are Fiat India’s expansion plans shaping up?

After exiting the Tata-Fiat distribution joint venture, Fiat has moved ahead to set up independent dealerships and after sales service centers across the country. The Italian car maker inaugurated 3 new dealerships at Mumbai today, and the current count of independent Fiat dealerships stand at 90. The car maker plans to expand this number to 100 by the year end.

A similar number of dedicated Fiat aftersales service outlets will also be added in the same period. Fiat plans to sell the Abarth range of high performance cars through its existing chain of independent dealerships while the Jeep brand of SUVs will also be sold and serviced through the existing chain until a new line of Jeep dealerships are set up here.

Fiat India’s 9 model product blitz

By 2015-16, Fiat India plans to have no less than 9 new models operating in the Indian car market. The first of the 8 new products was launched a few weeks ago in the form of the cut-price Fiat Linea.

The second product, the Linea Facelift, will be launched early next year. The following are the other 7 products that Fiat plans to launch in India, along with the possible launch time frames:

Fiat Abarth Punto: Mid 2014

The Fiat Abarth Punto will be a showcase of Fiat’s performance division and is also likely to be an affordable hot hatchback, priced well under 15 lakh rupees. The Abarth Punto is likely to use a 1.4 liter turbo petrol engine in a high state of tune. Abarth is also expected to retail body kits and other performance hop up kits for the Fiat range of cars sold in India.

Jeep Wrangler: Early 2014 

The Wrangler SUV, one of the two brand builders that Jeep will begin its Indian foray with, has been spotted testing extensively in India. This off-roader is likely to be launched at the 2014 Auto Expo. The Wrangler sold in India will be diesel powered and will be imported into the country through the completely built unit (CBU) route.

Jeep Grand Cherokee: Early 2014

The Grand Cherokee will be the flagship model in the Jeep SUV range. The SUV will sit at the very top of the Jeep range in terms of price and positioning. Like the Wrangler, the Grand Cherokee will be imported through the completely built unit (CBU) route.

Facelifted Fiat Punto: Late 2014

The Fiat Punto facelift, that has already been launched in Europe, will eventually arrive into India by the end of next year. Like the Linea, the Punto facelift will feature changes in terms of design and interiors. Additional features are also expected to offered on the new Punto.

Fiat Compact SUV: 2015

Fiat will build an SUV whose platform will be shared with the Jeep B-segment SUV. Engine and transmission options will also shared with the Jeep SUV. The Fiat SUV is likely to rub shoulders with the Renault Duster and the Ford EcoSport in terms of price and positioning. The SUV will be build at Fiat’s Indian factory in Ranjangaon, off Pune.

Jeep B-Segment Compact SUV: 2015

The first of Jeep’s big volume models for India and the world, the B-segment SUV will be based on a platform that the American SUV brand will share with Fiat. The Multijet turbo diesel and a turbo petrol motor are likely to power the Jeep compact SUV. The Jeep SUV is said to retain the off roading genes and characteristics that has made the brand popular over the years. While the Fiat compact SUV will be more of a soft roader, the Jeep B-segment SUV is likely to have higher off roader cred.

Jeep C-Segment SUV: 2016

The Jeep C-segment SUV is the second big volume product that will sit above the B-segment model in India. The C-segment model could compete with the likes of the Mahindra XUV500 and the Tata Safari Storme. While the SUV will dig into the turbo petrol and turbo diesel motors that Fiat has in its engine portfolio, the exact size and seating capacity of the SUV will be revealed in the coming years.