Test Drive Report: Fiat Linea MJD

Linea - I have not drooled over anything ever in my life (lie) but this one got me my first. Its' a marvellous piece of machine an absolute beauty to look at. BUT, is the car as good from the inside? I decided to evaluate it myself.

I went for a walk-in test-drive as my call to Wasan Motors, Borivali-E, requesting for a petrol Linea TD went un-returned. I was at Spectra once more to get the evaluation done for my current car, my true love, till date. With a bit of anxiety I walk into the Tata Motors showroom - same as above - to evaluate the only other option I was considering. The Fiat Linea 1.4 Emotion Pack.

First thing I noticed was the "same-old-feeling" of being at something "Tata". Its' neither impressive nor exciting to say the least. I felt the Bajaj showroom next door had more pulse and vigor than this one. I ask for a TD and the lady asks me to fill a form and voila I'm next to the Fiat-Tata salesman. This is where the experience changed, this guy came across as an ace salesman and more importantly very professional. At the outset, I made clear "No technical data please", I know all there is to know about the car, before buying. (Courtesy: Team-BHP)

The disappointment began early, no petrol test-drive vehicle. I was itching for a test-drive anyway so I decided to go with the MJD instead. The idea was to judge the "feel" of the car, and evaluate the petrol later. I was further told that petrol wont be available till January 2010.

Now for the real cool bit, the test drive itself. The Linea was parked in such an awkward place, that I requested them to pull it out of the parking area, lest I scratch the very car I'm evaluating for a purchase. Once inside the disappointment started swelling. I was expecting loads of interior space given the monstrous length, but sadly my Indica can give it a bit of a run for its money. But space apart, I was staring at 6-years of automobile progress, rather 26 years of it, as I don't think my Indica was anywhere near the latest piece of machinery when I bought it 6 yrs back. The only disappointment was that all in-dash information was frozen - this was someones' paid vehicle. Poor soul, I am really sorry.

The gadgetry inside was astounding, the feel was OK, nothing to drool or go berserk about. Apt I'd say. Once I started the car, the car sound was no louder than a whisper, there's a space-age diesel underneath. The 1st, 2nd & 3rd were peppy and the car can pin you to your seat if need be, but the FE would be heading south for sure.

The decisive part of the TD happened when I was at about 40, and engaged the fourth, and started climbing a Flyover. I could feel the drop in AC and the temperature perceptibly got higher, and the car itself was ambling up the slope at its own pace, I'd floored the accelerator but it made no difference. I used the "diesel" trick of pumping and even that did not give me the desired response. Then at another time, I distinctly remember having to down-shift for power - that was natural thanks to my Indica. The short TD ended and I decided to check out the rear seat. Lo-behold I felt very familiar, its no more comfy than my existing car. Wifey already had a irritated look for having made her go through all this after the exhilarating SX4 TD the other day. I did not exactly differ by a whole lot.

With such a not-so-positive feel from the supposedly "powerful" sibling I had very little hope for the petrol. Please dont get me wrong, a 1000 Lineas are selling monthly in India, but I seriously wonder how many of them were ex-Indica owners. The SX4 offered me a thorough upgrade from my Indica, I mean every element of it. This one unfortunately doesn't. In fact the sight of a world-champion auto-manufacturer sharing space with a humble Indian car company is pitiful. Its' just plain wrong. The step-brotherly treatment starts right from the placement of Linea pricelist, the ones for Manza are right next to the visitor louge and for the Linea - you need to request the receptionist. The Fiat salesman looked too good to be there, and was clearly on his own in a sea of Vistas and Manzas. No Linea on display, only parked next to a humongous waste area.

Overall, I guess a great car to admire from outside as long as it belongs to someone else. Sadly, I was quite prepared for everything except being downgraded in terms of A.S.S. I mean I've seen how bad it can be for a Tata Vehicle, now the same folks are gonna look down upon you...not in this life again.

Last word: If Fiat goes single, it's gonna be a different story al-together.