Fiat Linea T-Jet [ Attachment Invalid Or Does Not Exist ]
If brand value really mattered for the long-term sustainable success of an automobile, then Fiat should have been right there as a top car manufacturer in modern-day India with a sizable market share along with the likes of Maruti, Tata and Hyundai – two of whom find considerable success with some of their cars also through an engine from Fiat.
Iconic in terms of association, until a few years ago, it was difficult to imagine Bombay without the reliable, safe and always available black-and-yellow Fiat 1100 taxies. Indeed, until a few decades ago, it was the preferred choice between the entire range of two automobiles that literally drove India – the HM Ambassador and Fiat 1100 – which were used for everything from family use to motorsports.
Fiat really had it going for them in India – in fact, even the 118-NE was a winner in its time – that is until they messed it all up with some rubbish products, squabbling partners, terrible marketing, as well as sales disasters in the 90s. Eminently forgettable, but the damage had been done – and they became, as a result, no longer Number Uno, or even number 137 for that matter. But, the fact remains that they were the brand name for cars in India. So, what was Fiat best known for anyway in the old days?
Reliability: In a day and age when breakdowns were frequent, and service intervals were around 1,500 kilometres, the Fiat 1100 / Premier Padmini was a slogger – a workhorse. Temperamental at times, sure, but they simply kept going.
Discreetly pleasant interiors: Their dashboard and ergonomics were decades ahead of other cars, borrowing lines from racing and sports cars, which set the mark worldwide – even something as esoteric as engine sound was simply ‘purrrfect.’ Retaining value: Partly due to shortages, and partly due to the way things were in those days, if you were lucky enough you could see your Fiat 1100 / Premier appreciate in rupee terms – that is if you chose to sell it.
Oh, and they also signified ‘non-Government.’
Off late, however, Fiat has been more famous for bringing out brilliant products with a lot of promise, and then promptly, for some reason or the other, snatching defeat from the jaws of victory. They then attempt to go in for born-again experiences, which are very difficult to sustain. A grand old lady who has really enjoyed life simply cannot be a virgin again and again – no matter how pretty and exquisite the transformation. The Palio, Punto and now Linea, before that the Siena, and a few other variants, all had one thing in common – they were fantastic automobiles, but they simply were not sold well. Customers wanted ‘Fiats,’ but they just weren’t buying them. Wistfully, buyers wished for a Fiat because they knew they were really good cars, but then they’d go and buy something else for one reason or the other.
[ Attachment Invalid Or Does Not Exist ]
This time, however, things promise to be different. The new Fiat Linea T-Jet, with a petrol turbo engine that delivers massive power, as well as everything else the punters could ask for, is an existing product that has been notched up more than a few levels. Yes, the new interior trim and upgraded specs make it a winner. The VW Vento will certainly have competition, and the Honda City will need to improve too.
autoX drove this car as guests of Fiat at the Aamby Valley airstrip in Lonavala, and while flat-out driving on high speed tarmac is not really anyway to test a car, watching Hari Singh and Rohitaaz Kumar put it through its paces certainly shows that the production pieces on offer can take it, as well as dish it out – in bucketfuls – and that reminds one of the old glory days of rallying Fiat 1100s all over the country. No other automobile manufacturer has had the gumption to run an event where rallyists push a production car to the limit with the media watching – Fiat did with the petrol T-Jet Linea.
[ Attachment Invalid Or Does Not Exist ]
But, it’s the sales strategy of focusing on two geographical areas, i.e. Mumbai/Pune and NCR/Delhi, which is probably going to define the win. That, and the pricing, which promises to bring in a strategy aimed at keeping low EMIs and a high residual value when the time comes for resale. This time, they do have a winner in the car – but it will all depend on how they sell it.
Engine: 1.4 litres / 4 cylinders / 16 valves / turbocharged
Fuel: Petrol
Transmission:5 speed Manual / Front Wheel Drive
Power:114bhp @ 5000rpm
Torque:2207Nm @ 2200rpm
Acceleration:0-100km/h – 11 seconds
Price:Rs. 8.5 lakhs (ex-showroom Delhi)
Oct 10
