Fiat
hasn't showcased any new products at the International Auto Expo in
New Delhi, India, as it kicks off a crucial year in which it hopes to arrest
its declining sales; instead the drive to attract
consumers will be led by new Model Year versions of the
Punto and Linea which have received a number of detailed
upgrades for 2012.
The
Linea MY2012 for the Indian market comes
with the 1.3 Multijet (diesel) and 1.4 FIRE (petrol)
engines while the Punto comes
with the 1.2 and 1.4 FIRE engines as well as the 1.3 Multijet.
Both cars get interior trim improvements while on the
outside there is a new body colour "Oceanic Blue" which
adds to the existing paint range that includes Fox Trot
Azure, Tuscan Wine, Sunbeam Beige and Exotica Red.
New
to the Linea's segment features include rain sensing
wipers and auto switched headlamps. There has also been
a focus on quality improvements including higher ground
clearance, a more powerful air conditioning system and
tackling NVH on the
turbodiesel versions.
Linea MY2012
The
revised Linea comes with an integrated audio system from
entry level version upwards, a more powerful automatic
air-con system, ABS with EBD, alloy wheels, airbags and the
Fiat/Microsoft 'Blue&Me' infotainment starting from the
mid-level version. It also has improved segment-best
ground clearance of 185 mm. The more luxuriously
appointed 1.3 Multijet 16v turbodiesel version offers
leather seats, chrome detailing trims and 16-inch alloy
wheels. Also arriving on the Linea MY2012 are automatic
rain sensors and automatic on-off switching for the
headlamps; both features are a segment first for the Indian
market.
The power windows now incorporate a delay feature. There
is a new light beige interior option comprising of the
seat fabrics, floor carpet, dashboard cover and door
trims.
There is now an additional body colour, "Oceanic Blue",
for 2012. Both the petrol and diesel versions get
improved fuel economy readings.
Punto MY2012
The
Punto MY2012 comes with greater ground clearance (Punto
1.2 FIRE - 195 mm and Punto 1.3 Multijet/1.4 FIRE - 185
mm), these are now
segment-best ride heights. The revised base variant (the "Active" level)
has an integrated audio system, central locking and
front power windows making it the only entry-level
hatchback on the Indian market to include all these
features. There is a new grey-themed interior comprising of the
seat fabrics, floor carpets and door trims. There is
also now an additional external body colour, "Oceanic Blue",
for the 2012 year. Fuel efficiency has been improved
right across the
range: Punto 1.2 FIRE Petrol is 15.2, for 1.4 FIRE
Petrol is 14.6 and for 1.3 Multijet it is 20.3.
The
MY2012 range kicks off with the entry-level Punto Active
1.2 at 1.81 lacs while the turbodiesel starter Punto is
priced at 5.48 lacs. The highest specification petrol
Punto is the Emotion trim equipped with the 1.4 FIRE at
6.54 lacs while the top Multijet comes in at 6.71 lacs.
The Linea range meanwhile opens with the Active 1.4 FIRE
at 6.83 lacs and for the turbodiesel, at 7.83 lacs. The
petrol range topper is the Dynamic level 1.4 FIRE at
7.80 lacs while the Multijet's highest level, Emotion,
is priced at 9.18 lacs.
Speaking during the
launch of MY2012 Linea and Punto last week, Mr. Rajeev
Kapoor, President and CEO of Fiat India Automobiles Ltd
said, “At Fiat it is our constant endeavor to provide
customers with newer and better cars with timely
upgrades in comfort and technology. Since customer
satisfaction is of utmost importance, we continuously
look at ways to provide better value through our cars.
With the launch of 2012 Linea and Punto this year our
customers can enjoy an experience which is delightful
and uniquely Fiat.”
