New powertrains will boost Fiat’s offerings in India
Something for everyone seems to be Fiat’s mantra these days. The Italian company isn’t quite surfing the big wave with its cars, shifting about 2,500 units of the Punto, Linea and Palio together.
In a bid to widen their appeal, Fiat have decided to launch two new powertrain options for the Punto/Linea family. First up is a 1.4-litre T-Jet motor for the Linea, with 120 PS. A 160 PS version of the same engine is also available, but will not be compatible with our fuel. Still, even in the 120 PS form, this turbocharged four-pot should have a considerably greater grunt than what the current Linea petrol offers. Given the Linea’s involving handling, this engine may be better in keeping with the character of the car.
Hot on the heels of the recent 90 HP Punto comes the Punto CNG. The natural gas-powered version is expected to entail running costs about 25 per cent lesser than those of a conventional petrol. The prayers of those who’ve always hankered after the flair and panache of a Punto, but didn’t fancy its thirst, have been answered.
Price revisions will be to the tune of approximately Rs 60,000 more for the T-Jet version of the Linea, while the CNG Punto will be about Rs 25,000 dearer. Both cars will be in the market within the next two months.
