{"id":464,"date":"2007-05-18T13:56:03","date_gmt":"2007-05-18T08:38:03","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.vicky.in\/blog\/toyota-vios-and-fiat-linea\/"},"modified":"2007-05-18T13:56:03","modified_gmt":"2007-05-18T08:38:03","slug":"toyota-vios-and-fiat-linea","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.vicky.in\/blog\/toyota-vios-and-fiat-linea\/","title":{"rendered":"Toyota Vios and Fiat Linea"},"content":{"rendered":"

Two hot sedans for <\/span>India<\/st1:place><\/st1:country-region>:<\/span>\u00a0<\/o:p><\/p>\n

The big majors are eyeing mid size segment though rolling out small cars is their core aim. Maruti has rolled out its SX4 sedan and Mahindra \u2013 Renault has rolled out Logan<\/st1:place><\/st1:city> to grab their share in this segment. Soon this segment will welcome two new sedans \u2013 from Fiat and Toyota<\/st1:place><\/st1:city>. Both Toyota<\/st1:place><\/st1:city> and Fiat are hoping niche market share in Indian automotive industry by 2010 and this will be their first foray into voluminous sedan segment (2nd<\/sup> fastest growing). Toyota<\/st1:city> has exhibited its 3rd<\/sup> generation \u2018Vios\u2019 in recently held Bangkok<\/st1:city> motor show and Fiat has launched its \u2018Linea\u2019 sedan in Turkey<\/st1:place><\/st1:country-region>.\u00a0 <\/span>Let\u2019s see what Vios and Linea has?\u00a0<\/o:p><\/p>\n

Engine and Powertrain:<\/span>\u00a0<\/o:p><\/p>\n

Toyota<\/st1:place><\/st1:city>\u2019s Vios:<\/span>\u00a0<\/o:p><\/p>\n

Toyota Vios is almost same as the Toyota<\/st1:place><\/st1:city>\u2019s much popular yaris sedan and Belta. These cars are much popular in Australia<\/st1:country-region> and Japan<\/st1:place><\/st1:country-region>. The 2nd<\/sup> generation Vios is the segment leader in Malaysia<\/st1:country-region>, Singapore<\/st1:country-region> and Thailand<\/st1:place><\/st1:country-region>. Toyota Vios is Thai Car of the Year 2003. \u00a0<\/span>The Vios will head India<\/st1:place><\/st1:country-region> via CKD (Completely Knocked Down unit) route.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Toyota Vios is powered by a Toyota<\/st1:place><\/st1:city>\u2019s proven NZ series engine. The 1.5L, 1NZ-FE engine which powers the vios develops 80KW (109hp) and a maximum torque of 142Nm at 4200rpm. \u00a0<\/span>The same engine is used for the 2nd<\/sup> generation Vios. The 2nd<\/sup> generation Vios is well known for its frugal and clean nature and will lure Indian customers if it delivers the same in India<\/st1:place><\/st1:country-region>. The Vios is complained for its underpowered nature and the Vios turbo is<\/span> available only in Thailand<\/st1:place><\/st1:country-region>. The turbocharged 1.5 liter engine with an air-to-air intercooler produces 143 PS with light boost. If Toyota<\/st1:city> brings this vios to India<\/st1:place><\/st1:country-region> it will surely rock but the chances are less.\u00a0<\/o:p><\/p>\n

Fiat\u2019s Linea<\/p>\n

For the turnaround of Renault \u2013 Nissan its Carlos Ghoshn, while for the Fiat Its Marchionne’s – the man who mastered the new generation Fiat. Linea is one of the products of new generation Fiat and it\u2019s derived from the Fiat\u2019s much popular hatchback Grande Punto<\/p>\n

Two engines are available at present: the 1.4 petrol delivering 77 bhp and the 1.3 Multijet diesel with a power output of 90 bhp. Linea may also be powered by a1.4L Turbo T-jet, petrol engin delivering 120 bhp and a much powerful 1.9L JTD engine (uniJet Turbo Diesel is Fiat Group\u2019s term for its current common rail turbodiesel engine). Fiat may consider other engine options too but an engine from FIRE (Fully Integrated Robotised Engine) family and Swift\u2019s, Punto\u2019s 1.3L Multijet diesel is for sure. Manual as well automatic gearboxes will be offered.
\n<\/o:p><\/p>\n

Styling and Engineering:<\/p>\n

Fiat Linea<\/span><\/p>\n

For making a sedan take a popular hatchback give it a boot and doors that is what clever engineering in modern automotive industry. Fiat follows the same for its Linea but its not just a extended version of popular Punto hatchback.<\/p>\n

Fiat Linea clearly has an international vocation; it was designed by the Fiat Style Centre, and its exterior styling is elegant, dynamic and typically \u2018Italian\u2019. The aim was to appeal to the public with uncluttered, smooth lines which confirm the new Fiat family feeling (from the Grande Punto to the new Bravo), while they offer a new reading of the stylistic elements of the great Italian motoring tradition in the saloon segment. This extraordinary stylistic heritage has now produced the Fiat Linea, a 4-door saloon that is sleek and elegant, but with generous dimensions that put it at the top of its class: it is 4.56 metres long, 1.73 metres wide, 1.5 metres tall and has a wheelbase of 2.6 metres, as well as a 500 litre luggage compartment.<\/p>\n

The same attention went into the styling of the interiors of Linea, where the lines are harmonious and balance well with the exterior, creating a friendly, light-filled environment that provides an amazing amount of room and superior comfort, where ergonomics and space for the driver and passengers are concerned. And it is in terms of the quality, comfort, practicality and enjoyment of the interior that the Fiat Linea aims to make the difference, backed up by the refinement of the materials and by the colour combinations, as well as the attention paid to every detail and to the assembly. Designed for an elegant, refined clientele with plenty of personality, the Linea is agile and enjoyable to drive in all situations.<\/p>\n

Toyota Vios<\/em><\/p>\n

Unlike the Fiat Linea, Toyota Vios is not an eye catcher. Vios derives most of its design cues from its big brother Camry. After the Hyundai verna, this kind of sedans with short overhang is familiar in India<\/st1:place><\/st1:country-region>. Vios looks bulky from the front with large grille and large headlamps. The hood lines flows through the grille to large front bumper. The body coloured wing mirrors integrates indicator lamps. Curvaceous but not so large tail lamps just touches voluminuous boot.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/o:p><\/p>\n

The 3rd<\/sup> generation Vios which is to be launched has almost identical dimensions (4300mm*1700mm*1460mm) to Honda City. Similar to the corolla, you can expect decent space for rear passengers and not for the Driver and the front passenger from the vios. Accessibility to instruments and storage space are only for those with pixie hands also the Thai auto journals criticized vios for its noisy passenger cabin. Though in JD power initial quality study (IQS) vios finds a position, it is ranked below Honda city. But don\u2019t forget Vios is much powerful and frugal than city.\u00a0<\/o:p><\/p>\n

Similar to the recently launched Chevrolet spark Toyota Vios\u2019s instrument binnacle is set in the centre of the dash. This arrangement not only leaves most of the dash clean and uncluttered, it also allows the instruments and warning lights to be at a distance and an angle that allows the driver to read them with minimal eye movement. But some dislike and prefer a conventional location.\u00a0<\/o:p><\/p>\n

Safety and Special Features:<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0<\/o:p><\/p>\n

Fiat Linea:<\/em>\u00a0<\/o:p><\/p>\n

The Fiat Linea is equipped with a reliable suspension layout which guarantees very easy, precise steering, excellent roadholding and the best possible comfort for passengers: an independent MacPherson system at the front, and semi-independent wheels connected by a torsion axle at the rear. Regarding the safety – Stable, effective braking, good acceleration guaranteed by the engines and predictable handling, get the Fiat Linea out of even the most critical situations. Linea is also very well equipped where passive safety is concerned, a fact borne out by the presence of airbags; it also adopts a number of innovative technical elements that ensure the driver always has total control of the car (active safety): latest generation ABS, complete with EBD (Electronic Brake Distribution) and, optionally, the sophisticated ESP (Electronic Stability Program). ESP is supplemented by the ASR\/MSR<\/span>, a system that prevents front wheel skidding in acceleration and deceleration, enabling the Fiat Linea to move effortlessly on low grip road surfaces. The ESP includes the Hill-Holder<\/span>, a device that lets you stop and start on uphill roads without having to pull the handbrake.\u00a0<\/o:p><\/p>\n

The range also proposes equipment worthy of a higher segment, such as certain sophisticated climate and infotainment devices that improve the comfort and quality of the time spent on board: from automatic climate control, the Blue&MeTH system with USB port, a radio with CD-player (including MP3 files) and Cruise Control, down to rain, dusk and parking sensors. In other words, there are endless possible combinations which may convert Fiat\u2019s Linea an excellent value for money (if correctly priced) and the best price-content ratio.\u00a0<\/o:p><\/p>\n

Toyota<\/st1:place><\/st1:city> Vios:<\/em>\u00a0<\/o:p><\/p>\n

The safety features and equipments in Vios are on par with sedans of its class available in India<\/st1:place><\/st1:country-region>. The rigid (40% High tension steel) and light body vios chassis assures agility and stability. ABS with EBD used to control this 1tonne vehicle. Mc pherson strut is used at the front and torsion beam suspension at the rear. Rear seats are provided with \u2018S\u2019 shaped springs to minimize fatigue over long distance traveling. Audio controls are embedded in the steering wheel.\u00a0<\/o:p><\/p>\n

A revolution ahead:<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0<\/o:p><\/p>\n

Fiat aims to slot in top 10 car manufacturers by 2010 and Toyota<\/st1:city> to sustain the No 1 mark both has to tap one of the fastest growing market India<\/st1:country-region> and they seems to have ambitious plans for India<\/st1:place><\/st1:country-region>. Fiat expects to sell 50,000-60,000 units on an annual basis by 2012. The current C-segment in India is around 2,00,000 units, which is expected to double in 5 years and Toyota eyes 10% market share 2010 and 15% market share by 2015. Both Toyota<\/st1:city> and Fiat has immense potential in manufacturing great cars, all they have to do in India<\/st1:place><\/st1:country-region> is to launch their popular products here, if they want to be a volume player. Through Linea and Vios \u2013 Fiat and Toyota<\/st1:city><\/st1:place> I\u2019m sure that they can reach their target.<\/o:p><\/p>\n

Toyota Vios will take on Maruti Suzuki\u2019s SX4, Chevrolet Aveo and segment leader Honda city and vios is expected to hit our shores by the end of this year or early 2008. For the Linea, Fiat has launched the saloon in Turkey<\/st1:country-region> in the price range of 15,000 \u2013 21000 liras (Rs 4,61,981 \u2013 Rs6,46,774) and if it is priced in India<\/st1:place><\/st1:country-region> in the same range, Linea will take on SX4, Aveo, Fiesta and City. A wide variety of engines is available for the Fiat India to power Linea hence the possibility of Fiat\u2019s positioning Linea against Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla and Skoda Octavia cannot be ignored; Linea can be positioned between the upper C-segment and the entry D-segment sedans. With Linea\u2019s design cues heavily derived from Audi, it has the potential to match them.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/o:p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Two hot sedans for India:\u00a0 The big majors are eyeing mid size segment though rolling out small cars is their core aim. Maruti has rolled out its SX4 sedan and Mahindra \u2013 Renault has rolled out Logan to grab their share in this segment. Soon this segment will welcome two new sedans \u2013 from Fiat … <\/p>\n

Continue reading “Toyota Vios and Fiat Linea”<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[17,31],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.vicky.in\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/464"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.vicky.in\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.vicky.in\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.vicky.in\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.vicky.in\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=464"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/www.vicky.in\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/464\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.vicky.in\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=464"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.vicky.in\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=464"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.vicky.in\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=464"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}