E.torQ is a new family of 1.6- and 1.8- litres engines that are based around the powerplants from a former BMW/Chrysler joint venture in Brazil that was bought by Fiat Powertrain Technologies (FPT) two years ago. That powerplant family originally comprised of 1.4- and 1.6-litre engines with FPT in the meantime boring the 1.6-litre unit out to gain a new 1.8-litre engine which now replaces the GM-sourced powerplants currently used by Fiat in Brazil, including from this week in the application of the Linea sedan.

The new E.torQ 1.8 16V engine has been developed and produced by FPT in the highly-modern plant from the former joint venture in Campo Largo in the south of the country. This plant is 40,000 square meters in size and located in an area of 1.27 million square meters. The Tritec joint venture was originally set up in the late 1990s to provide BMW with engines for its MINI range and for Chrysler to power its PT Cruiser; however the engine was poorly regarded and was quickly ditched by BMW who then exited the joint venture while Chrysler's owners-at-the-time, Daimler, were also disinterested in Tritec and, having acquired BMW's stake, sold the entire project to FPT. The new 1.8 16V E.torQ engine debuted in the Brazilian market Fiat Punto in June this year, and soon after it has equipped the Brazilian-built Fiat Doblò, Palio Adventure, Strada Adventure and the restyled Idea.

This redeveloped E.torQ engine has a higher mechanical performance thanks to a reduction in the weight of the mobile parts, and aims at generating at high torque, good performance, noise level and vibration reduction, fuel savings, in addition to low pollutant emissions. Fitted in the Linea the E.torQ engine is rated the same as its other recent Brazilian production applications, developing maximum power of 130 HP, running on gasoline, and 132 HP on ethanol. The maximum torque of 18.4 kgfm (gasoline) and 18.9 kgfm (ethanol) is attained at 4,500 rpm, which guarantees fast accelerations and ease of overtaking. The Linea equipped with this engine reaches the maximum speed of 190 km/h (gasoline) and 192 km/h (ethanol).

In the MY2011 Linea application, the 1.8 16v E.TorQ engine comes fitted into the HLX, HLX Dualogic and Absolute versions, in addition to the LX and LX Dualogic versions, with a power rating of 127 HP. To complete the model's range, the Linea T-Jet is retained. This has under the bonnet a 1.4 16V Turbo (the European market TurboJet) engine with power of 152 HP and torque of 21.1 kgm, in a range of 2,250 to 4,500 rpm, taking the car to the maximum speed of 203 km/h.

The Linea has a generous equipment and options list and its items include modern features that make the driver's experience with the car more pleasant, safer and practical. The Linea offers equipment such as Blue&Me NAV with GPS navigator integrated to the vehicle dashboard, six airbags, digital automatic air-conditioning, Dualogic gearshift, parking, rain and twilight sensors.

Besides the new E.torQ engine the MY2011 Linea also boasts several new options packages that aim to provide the model with greater comfort and enhanced looks, and to offer value: on average they are 25 percent cheaper that if the items were bought by the customer separately. The trio of packages now available kicks off with "Creative I Kit" for the LX and LX Dualogic versions which is made up of Blue&Me (Fiat's infotelematic system based on Windows Mobile, with USB port and Bluetooth handsfree) and 15-inch alloy wheels fitted with 195/65 R15 tyres. "Creative II Kit" meanwhile is targeted at the Linea Absolute version and comprises of Blue&Me NAV (with all Blue&Me functionalities plus GPS navigator integrated to the dashboard operated by voice command), 17-inch alloy wheels (including spare wheel) shod with 205/50 R17 tyres. Finally "Essence II Kit" for the HLX versions is made up of digital automatic air-conditioning, parking sensors and the same 17-inch wheels and tyres as used in the previous package.

Fiat Automóveis will be hoping that the arrival of the E.torQ engine in 1.8 16v format and the new equipment package will help the Linea find more favour with consumers. Launched to try to push Fiat upwards into market segments in Brazil, territory the carmaker has previously been unrepresented in, the Linea has struggled to make an impact and sells in the high three-figures on average each month. However in a survey conducted with its owners, the Linea, claims Fiat Automóveis, has a high satisfaction index, where, in addition to the product, its after-sales benefits are also pointed out, provided by a 3-year warranty, and by the relationship actions of Clube L’único.