Next Generation Fiat Linea to be launched in 2015

Replacing the 2007 Fiat Linea is Fiat's Turkish joint venture’s (Tofas) plans to build a new passenger car in the second half of 2015. The next generation car will debut as the 2016 Fiat Linea and will be launched in Istanbul itself before making its way to other markets like India and Brazil.

The new car will reportedly be made at an updated Bursa factory in Turkey, where the Linea is currently built. The size of the sedan will be pretty much the same, but Fiat engineers will be looking for ways to make it a bit more affordable as well as fuel efficient. There’s no news on the engines to be offered as yet.

Internationally it will be pitted against the Skoda Rapid, Peugeot's 301, Dacia Logan and a number of other recently launched affordable sedans.

India will be getting the 2016 Fiat Linea at a much later date after its launch but we can expect the Fiat Linea facelift to be unveiled at the 2014 Indian Auto Expo in February. The updated car has been seen testing in the country often. Just last month it was spotted testing in Pune.

The Linea facelift is expected with a single petrol and diesel engine option. Fiat India will probably use the 1.4-litre turbocharged T-JET engine producing 112.4bhp and 207Nm of torque to power the petrol variant while the diesel line-up will see the introduction of the 1.6-litre Multi-jet engine.

Trying to keep the Linea line-up afloat, the car was recently given a repositioning in the market with the Linea Classic, in the entry-level sedan segment priced at Rs 5.99 lakh; a good one lakh less than the regular Linea and add to that a detuned engine.

Positioned in the upper C-segment, the updated Linea will compete against the Ford Fiesta, Honda City and Hyundai Accent/Verna. The Fiat Linea once marked the comeback of Fiat in the Indian market and with the updated car, Fiat is looking for a replay of that popularity.