Fiat has undergone a transformation globally in the past few years and now Fiat India is all set to revitalize their brand in India. Teaming up with Tata Motors and building of the Rs 4000 crore Ranjangoan plant in Maharashtra have been their first steps towards this. Moving forward, equipped with a new logo, FIAPL has lined up some of their internationally successful cars for India in 2009.
Fiat Linea
Based on the Grande Punto platform and designed by Fiat Style Centre, Fiat Linea (a stunning beauty she is..) has been launched recently in the European market and is quite a success. For India this sedan will be manufactured at Fiat’s Ranjangoan plant with high localization and will be launched in the C-segment to take on the likes of Hyundai Verna, Chevy Aveo and Ford Fiesta. Expected to be priced in 7 to 8 lakhs bracket for the base version, Linea will hit the showrooms by the end of 2008 and will be offered with 2 engines - a 1.4 petrol and a 90 bhp 1.3 multijet diesel.
Fiat Grande Punto
One of the best selling cars in Europe and Fiat’s best selling, Grande Punto is another car that will be manufactured in India and sold through Fiat-Tata dealer network. Though not clear, Grande Punto will most likely be offered with a 1.2 and 1.4 petrols and the 1.3 Multijet diesel. Expected price is 5 to 6 lakhs.
Fiat 500 (Cinquecento)
Call it a “City Car” or a “Fashion Car”, the Fiat 500 with its countless customizing options is outselling its production capacities everywhere its being launched. Nevertheless, Fiat India announced that it has plans to import the 500 as a CBU and sell it in India. It will be powered by a 75 bhp 1.3 Multijet diesel (MJD) engine Fiat will start deliveries in April. Its expected to be priced around 10 lakhs.
Fiat Bravo
Aggressive and definetely a hot hatch, Fiat Bravo is powered by a 150 bhp 1.9 Multijet diesel unit. Sadly like the Fiat 500, Bravo also will be sold in India as a CBU, which again makes it an exclusivity for people with deep pockets. Price is expected to be around 20 lakhs.
Fiat Palio 1.3 diesel
Though not an entirely new car for 2008, Fiat Palio Stile will get the 1.3 Multijet diesel (MJD) engine (that powers the Swift diesel) and this new variant will be called SDX. Expected to be priced at 4.7 lakhs for the base model (ex-showroom Delhi). It is aslo available in the Indian market.
In summary, the Grande Punto and Fiat Linea will go on sale by the beggining of 2009 and Palio diesel by june. Until then, to show us how serious Fiat is about India, the 500 and Fiat Bravo will be sold as CBUs (Completely Built Units) but with high price tags, making them a bit unrealistic choices for a conservative practical person.
Tags: Fiat Palio, Maruti Swift, new cars, new technology, fiat cars.
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