Fiat Linea - more hype per car?

**hrag** · 23rd Jul 2010, 15:25

I hadn't been in the Linea for a long time (after it was launched) and Vasanth recently dropped me home (after I had dropped my vehicle off for service) in the Linea.

This is what I felt:

1. The Linea with 2 people on board and zero luggage scraped every single speedbreaker on the way.

2. The front seats had zero underthigh support, lumbar support is nothing worth writing home about. Legroom is decent.

3. The rear seats are the same - underthigh support is probably slightly better than the front seats and the squab angle could be better.

4. The car was not slow but it was not fast either.

What made people go ga-ga over this overhyped car and what made them buy it?

I am not adding my pet peeve of control stalks on the wrong side.

Your views?

**Godfather** · 23rd Jul 2010, 15:27

never liked the interiors anyway.

**shishirbn** · 23rd Jul 2010, 15:29

where the hell vasanth is now. Come one dude. Your reply is required.

**bottle** · 23rd Jul 2010, 16:24

I never liked the Linea but after driving it a couple of times on ECR I've come to really like the suspension/handling and overall feel of being in the drivers seat

**kvk** · 23rd Jul 2010, 18:28

Originally Posted by shishirbn

where the hell vasanth is now. Come one dude. Your reply is required.

why me? shouldn't the FIAT folks give their justification.

Well anyways, here are my comments
1. The Linea with 2 people on board and zero luggage scraped every single speedbreaker on the way.
Kvk: This is always a issue with a low ground clearance. But is this not the same will the high end sedans

2. The front seats had zero underthigh support, lumbar support is nothing worth writing home about. Legroom is decent.
kvk: I totally agree with you hrishi as far as the underthigh and lumbar support, my indica was much more comfortable. (i sometimes think of swapping the seats from an indica)

3. The rear seats are the same - underthigh support is probably slightly better than the front seats and the squab angle could be better.
kvk: you just sat for a while when the vehicle was parked. May be you should sit on a long drive and check
4. The car was not slow but it was not fast either.
kvk: was not in a mood to race.. but am sure you will not be disappointed the next time

**pubz** · 23rd Jul 2010, 19:23

I never drove/sat in any Linea (KVK may be we can drive your car bit if and when I am at my other office)!! So I cant say if its over-hyped or not!!

1. As far as ppl buying this car is concerned I dont think the 4 points you mentioned are deal breakers anyways!! I am sure there are other things why ppl tend to like/buy this car.
2. I have driven/sat in few other cars apart from mine like Alto,Swift,Indica , Lancer, Civic and few others most of those cars scraped most of the speed breakers it tells 2 things 1. The way the speed breakers are built (Unscientific and unreasonable) 2. GC of most of these cars is similar
3.If the car was not fast enough, of course kvk is not Hrishi

and most of the people, might not be interested in buying the fastest car.

I don't know if Linea is good or bad!! Just wanted to say that the points you mentioned are not the only points why ppl should turn away from this car.

**kvk** · 23rd Jul 2010, 19:31

I totally agree with the speedbreaker construction. Not all are same. I have not scrapped speed breakers where others have scrapped. That's tells that its not the car but the roads that have these car breakers

**Frankenstein** · 23rd Jul 2010, 20:08

May be if kvk lends me his car ,ill show Hrag what linea can do

**kvk** · 23rd Jul 2010, 21:55

It always the need of the hour. Was there a need of speed when I dropped hrishi. When there is a need, certainly the linea is capable

**mclaren1885** · 23rd Jul 2010, 22:19

I have to agree with the under thing support on the front seats. Totally lacking.

I don't quite agree with a few guys here about the lack of GC on other cars. Linea and the NHC are the two cars that suffer the most from this problem. Fiesta, Aveo, Verna, Dzire, Manza do a lot better in this department. SX4 is just the king. I do agree with the crappy designs of speedbumps in our country. But the Linea and ANHC are over enthusiastic in scraping most speedbreakers.

The MJD engine in the Fiats was never meant to be a scorcher. Imagine another thirsty Fiat, it would be suicidal for Fiats strategy in India.

But why Linea you ask?

1. Brilliant ride quality, specially on poor Indian roads. No other sedan in that price range can match it.
2. Amazing feedback you get from that HPS. It is leagues ahead of its competition. I do hope the Vento comes with the EHPS and not EPS.
3. Blue & Me. Apparently it makes you feel like a 5yr old again.

Why a Fiat you ask?

1. Every Ferrari & Maserati is born from a Fiat

. Isn't that reason enough to buy one?
2. Fiats are the only cars in under 10L to build cars that feel like a *tank*.
3. And I am told its actually an experience of a life time to suffer trying to get parts for a Fiat if something goes wrong. You know, like that naughty, flirty, hot chick you always wanted to date though knowing very well she would not be faithful to you? You HAVE to experience that atleast once.