We scooped Fiat’s new compact sedan model that will replace the Linea in several markets from next year.
From previous reports, we know that the new sedan, which may or may not keep the “Linea” nameplate, will utilize the Fiat Chrysler Automobile group’s ‘Small US Wide’ architecture shared with the Fiat 500L and 500X, and Jeep Renegade models, which could give the option of all-wheel drive.
The Linea replacement will be a part of a new family of models for Fiat that will also include a new hatchback and a station wagon, with all three cars to be produced by Fiat’s Turkish joint venture, Tofas, in 2016, following an investment of around $1 billion. While the same reports said that they will be compact models, we’re not entirely convinced about that, as they could end up being sub-compacts given the smaller platform.
Fiat officials have said that they estimate to build around 580,000 examples of the sedan annually together with another 120,000 units of the hatch and estate combined.
The Italian firm plans to give the sedan a more upscale feel to push it in more markets in Western Europe and elsewhere, though the current Linea will likely continue to be offered in select regions such as South America and India. A question mark remains on whether we’ll see the sedan in North America – especially if it turns out to be one class smaller than the Dodge Dart.
The Fiat group’s modern crop of turbocharged petrol and diesels, such as the 1.4-liter turbo MutliAir and 2.0-liter Multijet, both with 140PS, will likely feature in all three models.
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