New Fiat Linea to be launched in 2014

The Italian carmaker gave a mid-cycle facelift to the Linea in international markets like Turkey way back last year and now its planning to showcase this updated Linea saloon in the upcoming 2014 Auto Expo in India.

The new Linea will come with a restyled front grille, re-profiled bumper, new fog lamp clusters and lots of chrome. At the rear, the bumper gets minor tweaks with an additional chrome strip and the number plate has now moved on to the bootlid though the side profile looks identical to the present Linea.

On the inside, the updated Linea gets a new three-layered, two-tone dash that looks refreshing and feels more up-market. The steering wheel remains the same but now comes with a touch of silver and the centre console gets a new integrated audio system and more modern-looking AC vents with useful cubbyholes above them. The gear lever, climate control knobs and door pads, however, look similar to the current car. The instrument cluster will now come with chrome-ringed recessed dials and circular centre.

Speaking of the engine, the company hasn’t revealed much on this front but it’s expected to be the same-a petrol, diesel and a turbo-petrol T-Jet engine. Fiat has also revealed that it will launch nine new models in the next three years, of which the first one, the Linea Classic, has already hit showrooms. Fiat will also launch the Abarth model range in India next year.