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New Cars to rule Indian Roads with Fiat 1.3 MultiJet Common-Rail Engines in 2008

You might have heard about the award winning 1.3L MultiJet Turbo Diesel Engine. Well, its coming to India in 2008 fitted in around 7 cars !

The 1.3 Polish-built common rail diesel engine features MultiJet technology that was developed at the Fiat Research Centre. MultiJet uses electronic control to divide the main injection into several smaller ones to achieve quieter combustion, reduced emissions and increased performance. Low weight is a further asset of this 70 bhp, 170 Nm engine.

The Cars

FIAT Grande punto : This car has lead the segment for years in europe, laid claim to slavaging a company. This Hatchback is spacious inside, comfartable to ride and is powered by the Fiat 1.3 MultiJet common-rail diesel motor. Inorder to give it a good start in Indian market Fiat is planning to introduce with a very competitive price.

Engine : 1248cc Common Rail MultiJet Turbo Diesel / 1368cc Petrol
Power : 75bhp / 94bhp
Torque : 19.37kgm / 12.7kgm
Kerb Weight : 1050 - 1105Kg
Dimensions (L/W/H) : 4030/1687/1490mm
Price Estimated : Rs 5-5.5 Lakhs

Chevrolet Aveo Saloon Diesel Chevrolet Aveo Saloon/Sedan Diesel : GM which was once a joint partner wirh Fiat, will use Fiat’s 1.3 MultiJet motor in its Aveo Sedan which will shed out 70bhp of power. The petrol Aveo did not do very well with tough competitors like Fiesta with “Diet Diesel” , the ruling Honda City or the new and unstoppable Suzuki SX4 . Probably the new diesel engine would give the aveo a new life line in the Indian Market.

Engine : 1248cc Common Rail MultiJet Turbo Diesel
Power : 75bhp
Torque : 19.37kgm
Dimensions (L/W/H) : 4030/1687/1490mm
Price Estimated : Rs 7.5 - 8 Lakhs

FIAT Linea : This Saloon is based on successful Fiat Punto, but the Punto presence in Linea is well hidden. Linea is very spacious and comfortable which is similar to a segment above corolla . The ride is good, performance is decent and the economy with the award winning engine is also superb. This car is complete all rounder and with TATA’s service in India , this car is a clear hit.

Engine : 1248cc Common Rail MultiJet Turbo Diesel / 1368cc Turbo-Petrol
Power : 90bhp / 120bhp
Torque : 20kgm / 21kgm
Dimensions (L/W/H) : 4560/1946/1494mm
Price Estimated : Rs 7.5 - 8 Lakhs

FIAT Palio 1.3 Diesel : Estimated to be out by May/June 2008 in 5-6 lakhs range. Personally, I feel this car will either compete against FIAT’s own Punto or might get short on price. As both the cars fall under same segment. The Diesel engine will give the palio a a very capable car. We get performance, economy and comfort at a affordable price.

Engine : 1248cc Common Rail MultiJet Turbo Diesel
Power : 75bhp
Torque : 19.37kgm
Dimensions (L/W/H) : 3762/1620/1440mm
Price Estimated : Rs 5-5.5 Lakhs

Maruti Suzuki Splash : After years of ruling WagonR will be replaced by the new the latest small car from the suzuki’s garage which was recently unveiled at Franfurt Motor Show. The Splash is based on Swift’s platform which is shortened by 30mm. Though it has the WagonR like tall-boy looks , it is far more attractive. The lower grill and the main grille are designed as one unit which gives the splash a tough look. In the inside there lot of swift parts. Comfort on the front seats is much higher than the current WagonR. It will be released in 1.2 L Petrol and 1.3 L MultiJet Diesel from Fiat.

Engine : 1248cc Common Rail MultiJet Turbo Diesel / 1.2L Petrol
Power : 75bhp / -
Torque : 19.37kgm / -
Price Estimated : Rs 5-5.5 Lakhs

Suzuki SX4 Diesel : Maruti might not have imagined the success it got with the SX4 petrol. This tall, amazing sedan will be having the Fiat MultiJet Diesel end of 2008. Maruti needs the SX4 diesel to keep up in the market against the Fiat Linea. The 90bhp diesel will create the same experience we had when Swift Diesel was introduced a year after Swift Petrol. It will be interesting to see who will be performing better, the SX4 or Linea or Aveo as all of them have the same engine under them. Again with the Fiat engine Refinement, Performance & Fuel Economy , the engine has it all !

Engine : 1248cc Common Rail MultiJet Turbo Diesel
Power : 90bhp
Torque : 20kgm
Price Estimated : Rs 8-8.5 Lakhs

TATA Indica X1 : The new TATA X1 though similar, won’t be a mere facelift. TATA has planned, a much more cute lookig car for the upgrade. It will be longer but within 3.8 meters. The new engine will be a 1.5 L diesel from FIAT & 1.4 L Petrol. There is also a 90bhp planned. The X1 will get new non-independent rear suspension and interiors plus 15 inch wheels.

Engine : 1248cc Common Rail MultiJet Turbo Diesel / 1.4L Petrol / 1.5 Diesel
Power : 75bhp / 90bhp / 55bhp
Torque : 19.3kgm
Price Estimated : Rs 4-5 Lakhs