Fiat Linea makes market debut

The new Fiat Linea, built in Turkey with the partner Tofas, makes its market debut in Europe in June starting from 13,000 euros (17,653 dollars). Manufactured at the plant in the Turkish city of Bursa, the factory will produce 60,000 units annually. There are plans to produce the car at a later date in India, Brazil, China and Russia.

The design comes from the Fiat Style Centre, taking cues from the Grande Punto and new Bravo.

The four-door saloon measures 4.56 metres and is 1.73 metres wide. With a wheelbase of 2.6 metres the luggage compartment has a volume of 500 litres.

All the engines comply with the Euro 4 emission norms. The petrol engine has an output of 56 kW/77 hp with a consumption listed at 6.3 litres per 100 kilometres and a carbon dioxide emission of 148 g/km.

The 1.3 multijet turbodiesel has an output of 90 hp. A 120 hp version with 1.4 motor from the new T-Jet family will be available at a later date, according to the car maker.

Among the standard items are four airbags, anti-lock brakes (ABS), electric windows, central locking and an onboard computer. Extras include the Blue & Me system with USB port, alloy wheels, a radio with CD-player (including MP3 files), Cruise Control, rain, dusk and parking sensors.

A special version will be marketed in Brazil, powered by a 130 hp 1.9 Flexfuel engine, which runs on gasohol containing about 22 per cent ethanol and pure bio-ethanol.

Bio-ethanol and gasohol are poured into the same tank, a feature that makes it easier for motorists to fill up. The engine software recognises the composition of the mixture and automatically adapts the injection and ignition parametres.