The Linea, which is built in Brazil, has always struggled to make an impact on this Latin American market due to its positioning by Fiat Automóveis which tried to pass it off as a more premium car than it was ever designed to be, the Brazilian division of Fiat attempting to use the four-door, three-box sedan to push itself into segments where it traditionally hasn't been a player. That strategy has kept sales Linea lower than could have been expected although successive readjustments to the range have improved its competitiveness.

The new Model Year 2012 Linea arrives in the showrooms of Brazil's biggest carmaker with the addition to the range of a brand new version, the Essence 1.8 16V, which comes fitted with Manual or Dualogic transmission. Well equipped, it includes all the basic contents from the outgoing version LX, such as on board computer, power steering, dual air bags, air conditioning, fog lights, leather steering wheel, electric windows, locks and mirrors, plus some new standard items: ABS brakes, 15-inch light alloy wheels and an instrument panel with a dot matrix display.

Besides the addition of the new Essence version, the Linea range continues to offer the best-selling version, the Absolute 1.8 16V Dualogic, which now has 17-inch alloy wheels added to its standard equipment list at no price increase. This version has a generous standard equipment list and among these items is digital air conditioning, leather upholstered seats, Blue&Me, parking sensor, leather steering wheel with radio and telephone controls, air flow channels for rear seats and a front central armrest with object holders. Completing the rejigged range is the version fitted with the 152 CV T-Jet Turbo engine which remains unchanged as it continues to target the sporty end of the market.

For the 2012 Model Year two new kits are now available for the Essence version: Emotion 1 and Emotion 2. The first includes premium upholstered seats, front central armrest with object holders, air channels for the rear seats, front reading lights with spot, tinted windows and chrome-finished trims. This package is competitively priced at R$500,00. Emotion 2 meanwhile contains all the contents of the first kit with the difference that the seats are now partially-leather upholstered and it costs R$2,300.00.

The Brazil version of the Linea is a well equipped automobile featuring class-leading content such as Blue&Me NAV, front side bags and window bags and cruise control along with twilight and rain sensors. To try to push the Italian carmaker into more premium territory, Fiat Automóveis created additional services specifically for the Linea and besides the three-year guarantee, the customer also gains a relationship and direct line of communication with Fiat, as well as the exclusive benefits from the Clube L’Unico, which adds unique sales and post-sales services. As members of a special club, the Linea customer also receives exclusive invitations to shows and events. The Linea also counts on Confiat, which is valid during the guarantee's three-year period: a specialised professional will collect the vehicle (at the owner's home or office) for maintenance and checkups.