Test drive Fiat Linea since 2006 sedan

Line of hope

The new Linea C-class sedan in the Fiat lineup has high hopes. This car was developed with global ambitions. The line should be successfully sold both in countries with high incomes of the population and in rather poor markets. I wonder what Russia was attributed to Russia? We will find out the exact answer to this question in early 2008, when in Naberezhnye Chelny they will put the assembly of new items. Most likely, the Russian line will noticeably differ from the one that is already being done in Turkey.
It was in Istanbul late in the evening. I walked around the artificial island in the Bosphorus Strait and looked at the high suspended bridges connecting Europe with Asia. In the sky, rays of powerful coastal spotlights were crossed in a laser duel. Between the island and the embankment, boats who delivered more and more guests went non -stop. Judging by the number of invited journalists, the event was planned unprecedentedly pathos and symbolic. For the first show of Linea, the place was clearly not chosen - exactly between the two worlds. The organizers were not even embarrassed by the political troubles in Turkey, coincided with the presentation of the novelty. On the eve of the Aborigines passionately chose power: they beat each other's faces, tear the banners and sneezed from tear gas. But from here it seemed that the motley and screaming Istanbul had drove, as if anticipating a miracle.
 
Miraculously turned out to be a sedan not quite ordinary in the Euromer. Very large and roomy for its compact class. Very solid and swift, because he was painted by Italians. Probably more affordable than its competitors, because fiat. And finally, unexpectedly luxurious inside. If I exaggerated, then very little. You understand that in the light of the Sofites, and even under the solemn salute volleys, even Priora will look like a decent car (the parallel, by the way, is not accidental, if we recall that both have a common ancestor, and also the C-class sedan-great-grandfather Fiat -124). Here in tomorrow, a 107-kilometer mileage will become completely clear whether the new car is so good ...
 
Morning. The scenery is changing. Pieces of three hundred sparkling Linea in the parking lot and one large buzzing Istanbul traffic jam (local carriers can create congestion even where they should not be). The machine is first annoying. The pedals are some amorphous, the gearbox lever walks sweeping and not too clearly. Massive front racks with blind triangles look stylish from the outside, but the review is blocked from the driver's seat. At each intersection, you have to stretch out your neck, twist your head and look at both-foot Turks are no less desperate than the Turks-Directs. And the long nose of the car forces to care for maneuvers. But the lateral mirrors are good. They give a very wide viewing area and allow you to quickly master local driver’s techniques - if you need to turn, then, through a row, under fanfares. Linea's bibikalka votes loudly and grumpyly. This will probably be appreciated here.
 
The navigated winding road (cheers, without traffic!), Which led to the Black Sea, showed that with handling of Linea order. It is neutral: the car is not stupid or acute. The skin sheathed with the skin is a sequest, an effort in moderation, the sensations are transparent. The car has a common platform with a brisk hatchback Grande Punto (it is only slightly lengthened), but instead of an electric power, traditional hydraulics are used.
The Linea salon is stretched in length and due to light finishes, it seems even more spacious than it really is. The acoustic atmosphere is almost like a luxury sedan. Vibroocomfort is somewhat worse. The acceptable smoothness on the uneven Linea is generally ensures, but it is far from the softness that the 124th replicated around the world was famous (in Turkey is the first tofases, we have a VAZ classic). Large pits and potholes are not at all stormed. The suspension move is small. You get a decent blow - not destructive, but sensitive.
 
Fiat Linea Turkish assembly will go on sale in three types of configuration: Active, Dynamic and Emotion. In the first, there are no electric windows, ABS, air conditioning, does not spread out the sofa back in parts, but the gas tank hatch is made locked. The top package implies a leather salon (however, there is a textile version) with partial electrical seats adjustments, the presence of 15-inch cast discs, climate control systems, a CD reserve with a USB input and MP3 playing function.
 
The line puzzled the level of comfort at highways. While the highway is smooth - everything is perfect. But it is worthwhile to arise at least minor waves and bumps (imagine the usual high -speed concrete), as the car begins to kick. Not in the literal sense, of course, but you will not envy the sidelines anymore. Purred passengers, you can’t smoke, this sign, which hung at the airport specifically for Russian tourists, would now be quite appropriate in Linea.
 
The feature of the running car marked by all journalists is manifested only at speeds of 120-150 km/h. If you slow down a little or accelerate even faster, the car will go more smoothly, without turbulence. For example, I liked how Linea goes at speeds close to maximum: it is stable, clearly keeps the course, stably and effectively slows down.
 
I see no reason to burst out about dynamic qualities. A 4.5-meter sedan with a 77-horsepower gasoline engine is, in my opinion, a mockery of the poor. Maybe in China, India or Brazil (where they are also going to establish the release of the novelty) Linea with such engines and will be sold, but we are unlikely. And diesel lines should not be waiting in Russia - the motor turned out economical, but not too combat. On a quick ride, you can only count with a 1.4-liter turbocharged T-jet. The motor is surprisingly nimble, but at the same time quiet and acceptable.
 
Reliability. This topic is raised every time when it comes to fiat. It seems to me that the problem is greatly exaggerated. That Linea, on which I rushed to the marble sea, leaving aside the main route, did not give a single reason for reproaches - everything in the car worked perfectly. Although some colleagues complained after the Pokatushki: one stood in the suspension, the other was bursting with the electronics, the third pointed to an enlarged gap between the hood and the radiator grill. Maybe it's a Turkish assembly. Maybe these are shortcomings of the first serial specimens. But rather - these are the problems of ourselves. The unwritten is a motorist's motorist: how you are to the car - so it is to you. The line deserves a good relationship. Still hope.
Fiat Linea 1.4 T-Jet
 
Gasoline engine, 4 in a row
Working volume (cubic cub) 1368
Power (L.S. at rpm) 120 at 5000
Moment (nm at rpm) 206 at 2500
Front drive
Gearbox 5-speed, mechanical
Length/width/height (mm) 4560/1946/1494
Equipped mass (kg) 1180
Maximum speed (km/h) 200
Acceleration to 100 km/h (c) 9.0
Fuel consumption (city/highway, l/100 km) n/d
The price in Moscow is not declared
Abstracts after
1. Now Fiat is developing gasoline 1.6- and 1.8-liter units in addition to 1.4 Turbo with a capacity of 120 hp. Diesel Linea, like a modification with a 77-horsepower engine, will not put on the conveyor Severstal-Avto.
2. Apparently, it is believed that the Russians have not yet ripe to European redness.
3. Almost with one hundred percent probability, it can be argued that in the Linea base from the embankments of the Chelny, they include heating the seats, a Russified on -board computer and the protection of the crankcase - all this does not have cars produced in Bursa.
4. Despite the direct competition from Focus, Corolla and Megan, a niche remains for Fiat Linea. In size, the Italian pulled himself up to Jetta, and his dynamic design is able to argue with the appearance of the new Lancer. The picture will finally become clear when Opel will finally make the Astra sedan.
 
Text Ruslan Tarasov
Photo by the author
 

Source: "Autopilot"