A Great and comfortable Car from Fiat, wont burn a Hole in your Pocket !!!

A diehard fan of Fiat products right from the days of Fiat Padmini I was eagerly waiting for this model. I had to change my Palio 1.2 as it clocked one Lakh KM in six years and Linea arrives at the right moment.

I Test drove for about 20 Km only but has been immensly satisfied with the car. The third gear takes care from 20 kmph and hence the drive in the city trafic is a pleasure. The pot holes laden roads were efficienltly negotiated with a smooth ride. The solid build cacoons you and you feel safe inside. on the highway. The cornering is Fiat's benchmark as in all models.

The inside plastics felt cheap and the driving positon though ok is not very comfy. The rear seats are plush, roomy and comfortable for the medium build people. As my regular drive includes cris crossing village and country roads I look for solid build and good suspension.

I sincerly hope Fiat opens its own show rooms and service centres for a paradigm shift in people's opinion. I will know more in a fortnight when I actually own a car. 

Linea Emotion Multijet - At 900Km and a week of ownership (16-03-09)

My initial impressions after a week of driving 920 km which includes a drive to Bengaluru has shown both the positives and the negetives of Linea.

The Positives:

1. Happy with the size and solid build, good driveablity in chennai roads.

2. The drive on Chennai -Bengalru highway shown all the good charecters of  Steering, manouverability, cornering and the breaking ablity. he car came alive after 2000 Rpm and a pleasure to drive. The seats are comfortable. One feels very safe because of the build.

3. The climate control A/C is very effective. Rear seat passengers get enough cooling.

4. The feature 'My car' gives lots of info and is very useful.

5.The city driving gave 13.80km/lit, and 18.20km/lit. The overall avergefor 900 km is 16.60 km/lit which very good for its size.

6. Thanks to the tyre size and the suspension car gives unbeliveable smooth  ride.

7. Good lighting in the interiors. when the doors are closed the lights dim and goes off due to LED,  which adds class.

Not so Good thigs

Delivery of vehicle: I was delivered the vehicle with a low clanky metalic noise coming from the rear left side ( due to shock absorber scraping the body)but got it rectified next day. So much for the PDI

1.Lacks power below 2000Rpm. which prompt additional gear shifts. My palio 1.2 gave better pickup. I may get used to diesal driving shortly.

 2. Its ground clearence (161mm) to its wheel base is definitly not enough when you are negotiating speed breakers (especially the ones around Bengaluru) and driving out of basement car park to the road. The car's belly gets nasty knocks.  

3. Light / wiper controls on the wrong side for Right hand drive.

4. High positioning of clutch is not at all comfortable in the city driving.

Overall I find the Car is good and i am happy.  Thats it for now I ll keep posting. 

After 11000 KM  15-07-09

I ve just completed over 11300 km now. I ve enjoyed my ride all through. I have travelled through Karnataka and Tamil Nadu over good, bad and ugly roads.

My only complain still remain the same- Low Ground clearance. It sucks!!!! especially when you are driving through village and semi urban roads. The protective shield given below gets abused and knocked in these roads.

Because of this the car gave rattling noices when driven over bumps and pot holes. I had recently rectified at ConcordMotors, Ambattur, Chennai. In fact I saw the under belly of my car when they hoisted up. Fiat has given enough protection underneth but the roads has got the better of them.

Well I ve to learn to live with it.

About the Service

I am really happy that Fiat has put in place an effective service system in Concord Motors. I am happy with their handling, technical knoledge, courtesy, efficiency in identifying problems and rectifying. As of now hats off to them

Well folks, about the fuel consumption. It averaged 18 KM in the high ways and returned 12.5 KM in cities. This I checked with tankful to empty method and filling at company owned Bunks.

I ve fitted the mud flaps, and also coated with anti rusting paint.

Well one more thing to be cautioned. While cleaning your car roof Donot rest your hand and give pressure. As in my car It might Dent!!!!! , only flimsy metal is used for the roof.

After 47000KM (10-05-2011)

1. Ride comfort is still good, Handling at 140kmph and cornering at 120kmp is still superb !! Breaking is still      fabulous. Gear shifting is smooth.

2. I can speed fast many bigger cars in climbing hills/ ghat roads. Amaging at 3rd gead pickup, cruises in 4th    and 5th gear on less trafic.

 

3.Tubeless tyres have come good so far, hope it may last another 2000km.

4. But the milage has come down slightly- 16-17 on Highways (is it due to my average speed is increased?)      and 11-12 in cities (more of 2ne and 3rd gear)

5. Engine noice is more over 120 Kmph, A/C is ok still.

Overall I am happy with my car

 

 

Send in your comments

Ramesh N Thotta

Stunning looks, clean lines & finish, spacious indoors, good suspension and Solid Build.Low Ground clearence, light and wiper contols in wrong position and soft metal roof !!