Fiat confirms a new small car and CBU for India

An Artist’s impression of the new Palio (copyrights reserved by designer)

We have been telling you about the ‘new small car’ Fiat have been developing since quite some time now. The new car will be positioned below the Punto and will sell at a price which could make look competitive with the i10s and the Swifts of the world. The Punto, even after being a terrific product, retails for a premium over the regulation hatchbacks reducing its appeal significantly.

To overcome the problem, Fiat is developing a band new small car, tailor made for India. Some Italian designers and engineers are burning the midnight oil designing and developing the new car for India, based on the inputs from the company’s operations here in India. The new car is expected to be highly localized (upto 85%) and will be produced at the company’s Ranjangaon plant near Pune. The new car may just be the new Palio, which we have been following up for months together now.

“The small car is under development. We had announced earlier that our intention is to launch it in 2012. The exact timing and details will be shared when we will be ready with the product,” Rajeev Kapoor, Fiat India’s president said. He didn’t divulge any further details on the car though.

The Fiat Sedici Crossover

Apart from the small car, the company has also hinted at bringing a new CBU unit to India. “There are different routes and opportunity to launch a model in India and the completely built unit route is one of them. Every route is open to us and we are still evaluating” said Mr. Kapoor.

While we cannot be sure about this new CBU import, the Sedici crossover, which shares its platform with the SX4 may be one of the options. Do let us know if you have any clue about which CBU import Mr Kapoor is talking about

Fiat Linea 1.6 MJD diesel, automatic transmission versions soon to be launched

The Linea is one of the more accomplished cars in the C segment. The ride, handling and performance (1.3 diesel and 1.4 Turbo petrol) of the car, along with its stunning Italian design make it one of the most desirable pieces of machinery in its segment. What shame that owing to their apprehensions about the Fiat badge, people refrain from buying this beauty.

Fiat India, however, is gearing up to introduce new engines and transmissions in the new car to make it more appealing. Very recently, one of the 1.6-liter turbo diesel MJD was spied somewhere near Mysore Road in Bangalore. The new engine will enhance the Linea’s appeal for the diesel lovers. The 1.6 MJD is capable of producing around 105bhp of power and 300Nm of torque. The engine is also known for its fuel efficiency.

Apart from the bigger diesel engine, an automatic transmission version of the Linea was also reportedly spotted. The auto transmission was fitted onto the 1.3 diesel, but as you would make out, when it comes to the market, it would be available on the new 1.6 diesel variant as well.

The DuaLogic gearbox is a sequential manual gearbox, with a small, light actuator (unlike the power hungry torque converters) unit automatically operate the clutch and move the gears. The whole process is overlooked by a full fuzzy logic, so it can adapt to the driver’s style. The DuaLogic can also assess vehicle deceleration and adjust downshifts.

The new engine and transmission will be launched on the Linea by the end of May or early June. The price for the top end 1.6 diesel automatic can be expected to be in the region of 10 lakh+ ex-showroom.

New Fiat Palio To Be Launched In July?

The 2012 Fiat Palio which is codenamed as Project 326 is making a lot of noise on the internet since quite a lot of time now; we have been reporting about its testing and spy images all throughout. With this piece of news we expect the speculation to end, which says that the new Fiat Palio will enter production in Brazil due June 15. The official launch of this car will happen later in July followed by the dealerships being ready with the deliveries of the Palio.

Talking about the life of Fiat Palio in India, it was not all that good when compared to its sibling Punto. Those days master blaster Sachin who was the brand ambassador of the Palio also could not help selling the car much. Fiat has also introduced a limited edition yellow 1.6 S10 Palio which had Sachin’s autograph over it. Well that is history for now; if Fiat plans to reintroduce the Palio in India we suggest the company rebadges it.

People at Fiat India top management have unequivocally spoken to us about a new sub-Punto Fiat car which should hit the Indian market in a year or thereabouts. Now we know for a fact that the Indian arm of the company is not extensively developing any specific car. Moreover, the strong Brazilian connection that Fiat cars introduced in India have had suggests that this is the new small car that Fiat plans to introduce in India. The company plans to showcase a new small car the 2011 Expo. We have every reason to believe this is the car.

FIAT Palio 1.6 Sport: The king is dead!

The small car that started the ‘Hot Hatch’ concept in India with its 1.6-litre, 100 bhp petrol engine has met with a sad demise. FIAT has decided to pull the plug off the Palio to immediate effect for two primary reasons – lack of demand and the Palio’s incompatibility with the Bharat Stage IV norms. The Palio, since its launch in 1999 has offered a lot of goodies to its customers without making a huge hue and cry about the price. However, lack of a potent aftersales network and the low fuel economy had led to the last generation Palio to its downfall in a market like India. The Palio Stile did revive FIAT India to an extent, but the current success of the Grande Punto had put the Palio on the back-burner.

Until recently the car was only manufactured against order, but FIAT’s sudden decision has axed the hopes of prospective enthusiasts buying the car. One of our members, John Fernandez is one such unfortunate enthusiast who had his booking amount refunded to him by the company showroom after the car-maker’s harsh (yet practical) decision. We are only hoping now that the Palio’s demise will make way for a new car from the FIAT stables in Ranjangoan, that can lift of gauntlet and be a worthy heir to the ‘hot hatch’ concept.

Source: Motoroids

Fiat to launch a sportier Punto

Fiat Punto is undeniably the most beautiful car in its segment.The car looks elegant and it seriously turns more heads than a higher D-segment car too. It has a nice chassis too, which means good handling. And as now Fiat's service department is also managed by Tata, service shouldn't be an issue as it used to be. This means Punto should be a hit in India, like it is elsewhere.

But the sales figures tell a different story. Only 900 odd units were sold in the month of April this year. The irony of the situation is that the same car saved Fiat from bankruptcy in the International market. So what is stopping its prospective buyers and making them think over their decision again.

During a small survey carried out by a fellow Motorep it was found that the first sentence people say after driving the car is, “It is sluggish”.

Fiat also realised this and if guys at Autoholiks are to be believed, Fiat will be launching a new and sportier variant of the car called 'Punto Sports'. The car will be powered by the 1.3L Multijet engine that powers the Linea. The same engine, albeit in a more powerful avatar will produce 90bhp and around 205 Nm of torque.

The car will be given some visual treatment too. Remember they displayed an Abarth-Punto replica at the Auto-expo, Delhi earlier this year. Thats how the Punto Sport is going to look. Fatter tyres, better looking alloys, smoked headlamps and special leathers too and they might put a sunroof too is all the Sports is going to get. The Punto Sports will be dearer than the normal Punto. If Fiat prices it right, then they can easily get a good market share with this wonderful product of theirs. This might be not be as sporty as a petrol engined car would have been,nevertheless we will love to have this car in the market. Won't we? With this car they might be able to continue selling this car before they plan to launch the Punto-evo here, if they want to. The Sports will be launched in June this year as Punto completes 1 year in the market.

Two more variants of the Punto Launched!

Auto Major Fiat India, launched two more variants of its Grande Punto range- the Fiat 1.2 Fire Dynamic and Fiat 1.2 Fire Emotion, priced at Rs. 4.57 lakhs and Rs. 4.87 lakhs respectively. (ex- showroom Delhi.) Both these variants are par with the emissions norms of the BS4 and are expected to give a mileage of 15.2 kilometers to a litre.

Apart from the standard goodies which comes equipped in the Fiat Grande Punto, the 1.2 Dynamic variant will also offer rear power windows and central locking system. As an introductory offer, the 1.2 Dynamic will also come fitted with an exclusive CD/MP3 player for a period of one month. The 1.2 Emotion variant will have an integrated audio system with 4 speakers, electric mirrors, fog lamps, dual tone dashboard and split seats in addition to the above mentioned features of the 1.2 Dynamic.

The 1.2 Fire Dynamic and Emotion will be available in eight colours- Bossa Nova White, Exotica Red, Minimal Grey, Hip Hop Back, Medium Grey, Electric Blue, Fox Trot Azure and Tuscan Wine.

by Motoroids
 
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Compare the Top Movers & Shakers - Polo, Punto, Swift and Figo - Which one is for you?

With the B-segment flooding with offerings from various manufacturers, a war of hatchbacks to capture the market is just about to begin…


Click here to read the full analysis.

Never before in the Indian car industry have we seen such carnage in a segment. The B-segment is suddenly loaded with quality contenders which not only boast great engineering and features, but incredible pricing as well.

Fiat Linea - Extreme Road Tested

You would call them insane to do this level of road testing on any car. But, this test was done for your benefit to understand the ups and downs of owning this car, a Fiat Linea. Do you want to know what they felt after driving the car for 1600 Kms, Here are the details. Read the complete Fiat Linea Review.

2007 Fiat Grande Punto Abarth

2007 Fiat Grande Punto Abarth

2007 Fiat Grande Punto Abarth

2007 Fiat Grande Punto Abarth

Fiat Linea 110 bhp turbo petrol, Punto 90 bhp diesel & Punto CNG-petrol flex fuel on display

Fiat India showed a nice mix of vehicles lined up for their Indian debut on day 2 of the 2010 Auto Expo. Fiat unveiled the 110 bhp turbo-petrol Linea, to overcome its power deficit compared to rivals like the Honda City. The new turbo petrol might be a a couple of bhp down on power, when compared to the City, but it more than makes up for the power deficit with 55 more torques compared to the City. There were also a couple of Puntos on show. The most important of them being the one with the Linea's 90 bhp, 1.3 diesel. Fiat also showcased a CNG-petrol flex fuel variant of the Punto and some interesting design editions.

Price: Rs. 9.4 lakh (On-Road). It will be available only in the top-end Emotion trim.
Launch: Q1, 2010.
Engine Specifications: Petrol (l4) 1.4L 16V Turbo Jet (T-Jet).
Displacement: 1368cc
Max. Power: 110 bhp @ 5000rpm
Peak Torque: 200 Nm @ 2500rpm
Timed, Sequential Electronic Multi-Point Fuel Injection
5-speed, Dualogic semi-automatic gearbox.
Rivals: Honda City, Toyota Etios sedan, Maruti Suzuki SX4, Ford Fiesta 1.6 Petrol



Grande Punto Sports: 1.3 Multijet90

Price: Rs. 6.5 lakh (On-Road). It will be available only in the top-end Emotion trim.

Launch: Q1, 2010.
Engine Specifications: 1.3-litre Multijet diesel with variable geometry turbocharger. (same as the Linea),
Max Power: 90 bhp @ 4000rpm
Peak Torque: 205 Nm @ 1750rpm
Rivals: Maruti-Suzuki Swift, Toyota Etios hatchback, Maruti-Suzuki Ritz, VW Polo, Ford Figo, Skoda Fabia.

FIAT's city car confirmed for 2011

A few days back, we revealed Honda’s plans of launching a small car specifically for India powered with a 1.1-litre petrol engine. Close on the heels of this news, we learn that even FIAT is readying a small car that will be designed and developed specially for India. With the design finalized, we hear that a clay prototype of the car is ready with the Italian’s firm design studio in Turin. A fully functional set of prototypes are expected to reach the firm’s Ranjangoan factory by early 2010 where the rigorous testing will commence.

If pointers given by FIAT are to be believed, then expect the new car to employ a wide array of engines ranging from a frugal 600cc to a competitive 1.1-litre mill. The car will be powered by petrol initially, while a small turbo-diesel engine might be in the pipeline. Designed specifically for India and its traffic conditions, the car will be placed between the A and B segments in terms and pricing and features – where it will take on the likes of the i10 and A-star. Similar to Hyundai and Suzuki, FIAT too will make India a production hub for the city car and will export it to the European markets to begin with. The car may well be christened the ‘Topolino’ – an old classic like the 500, which FIAT has hinted at reviving since early last year.

Expected: Q2 2011

Price bracket: Rs. 2.5-lakh to 5-lakh
Engines: 600cc & 1.1-litre petrol

More Horses to pull Linea

Fiat India’s comeback car, the Linea is arguably one of the best mid-size salons on sale today. However, one of its very few shortcomings has been the lack of horses, for the petrol as well as the diesel engined variants. Having identified this problem, Fiat India is ready to remedy the situation by launching not one, but two new engines for the Linea. We already told you about the 1.6 litre Multijet Diesel that is on its way. But before that Fiat is all set to introduce a powerful 118bhp T-JET petrol engine, at the upcoming 2010 Auto Expo. The Honda City will have its work cut-out against the Linea, thanks to the Linea’s excellent handling and ride quality, superior torque (30% more than the City) and a wide power-band (courtesy of the force feeding), comprehensive kit, and a price tag that is almost a lakh lower than the Honda



The new engines were slated for a simultaneous launch, but our sources say that the diesel engine has been shelved until December 2010. The problem being that the gearbox mated with that engine is an outdated GM sourced unit. Fiat is in the process of designing a brand new gearbox for that particular engine.
 

A fire-breathing Linea is all well and good, but more than that, Fiat should really focus on getting their latest small capacity ‘Multiair’ series engine into the country. It may not be high on horsepower with only 77bhp to boot, but it is fantastically drivable, eerily refined and best of all remarkably fuel efficient (remember the iDSi Honda City?). A 0-100kph time of 13 seconds for the Punto Evo powered by this engine doesn’t sound too bad either. This engine will send chills down the spine of even the best of its competitors, say the Ritz, the i20, the Fabia and even the Jazz. It will do a lot of god to Fiat as well as Tata's Portfolio in the country.

 
Engine Specifications:

Petrol (l4) 1.4L 16V Turbo JET (T-JET)
Displacement: 1368cc
Max. Power: 117.8bhp@5000rpm
Peak Torque: 206Nm@2500rpm
Fuel Injection: Timed, Sequential Electronic Multi-Point Fuel Injection
Top Speed: 195 kph
Acceleration: 0 - 100 kph: 9.5sec

Chrysler Jeep Driving to India

Troubled Chrysler is to set its foot in India with its joint venture with Fiat. The company earlier ran into trouble and filed for bankruptcy.

Jeep is widely used in North America and is also quite popular in Europe. Although they are large gass guzlers they are comfortable and luxurious.

The Tata Fiat joint venture will launch Jeep in India.

Fiat 500 2009 Pictures

Fiat 500 2009

Fiat 500 2009

Fiat 500 2009 Pictures

New Fiat Palio 2008 Photos

Fiat Palio 2008

Fiat Palio 2008 Pictures

New Fiat Palio 2008 Photos

Fiat Linea Launched in India

Pune, November 21 : The clouds of recession looming over the country and the heat on the auto sector, like any other, have not stopped Fiat from its latest launch. Fiat India Automobiles Limited, choosing to disregard the economic slowdown, rolled out its C plus segment sedan Linea from the Ranjangaon plant some 40 km from here.
“It’s a grim economic scenario and all auto players are feeling the heat. It’s a challenge for us but we see this as an opportunity to launch a new car. The new product in the market will induce demand among the customers. The start of production of Linea is an important milestone for us and is a significant step in fulfilling the promise that we had made at the Auto Expo earlier this year,’’ said Rajeev Kapoor, CEO, Fiat India Automobiles Ltd.
This launch comes after a seven-year gap, the last one being that of Palio in 2001. Launched internationally in May 2007 in Istanbul, with a strong Italian imprint, Linea has features found in high-end cars. Around 2,500 Linea cars will be manufactured per month from the Ranjangaon plant.
The 200-acre facility, a 50-50 joint venture between Fiat and Tata Motors, will soon see Grande Punto, a top seller in Europe, also being manufactured from here. “The launch of Linea is the first step to re-establish the Fiat brand in the Indian market. After three months, Grande Punto will commence production from here,’’ said Kapoor.
Linea-Active is the base model followed by Dynamic and Emotion while Emotion +1 will be the high-end model. Initially they will be available in three colours. The medium-sized sedan fulfills Euro-4 emission norms and comes in 1.2, 1.3-petrol engine and 1.4 diesel engine.
The Ranjangaon plant now has a completely equipped body shop, assembly line and power terrain plant while a paint shop is to be commissioned shortly.
The assembly shop is designed to roll out Linea, Grande Punto and Tata X1 sedan. Now, 1.2 Palio petrol is being exported from the Ranjangaon plant and Linea and Garnde Punto will follow soon.
Apart from Fiat and Tata cars, the facility also produces powertrain engines.
The plant with an investment of Rs 4,000 crore in its full capacity, will produce up to 2,00,000 cars, 3,00,000 engines and 3,00,000 parts and accessories.