Auto Expo 2014: Fiat Avventura concept is a big draw

The star of the Fiat stall is the Avventura concept, an off-road, semi-rugged crossover based on the Punto's platform, complete with a tail-gate-mounted spare wheel. The concept will also come with 200mm ground clearance and larger wheels, which will prove quite useful in Indian conditions. The car comes with other SUV-like design cues as well, similar to those seen on cars like the Volkswagen Cross Polo. It comes with protective skid plates, strips and mouldings on the side, and fully functional roof-rails. 

The new Fiat Linea saloon is also showcased and comes with a restyled front grille, re-profiled bumper, new fog lamp clusters and lots of chrome. Fiat has also worked on making the interiors more modern and luxurious, not only more than the current car but also than the face-lifted one on sale in international markets. It comes with cruise control, a new audio system with Bluetooth, aux and USB connectivity, reverse parking sensors, rain sensing wipers and more.

Fiat also launched its Abarth brand in India, starting with the Fiat 500 Abarth. The car will come with even more aggressive styling and will be imported initially. However, there are plans to localise the Fiat 500 Abarth in future. The car is expected to come with a 137bhp 1.4-litre turbo engine, which should give it plenty of performance. Handling will also be much sportier courtesy stiffer springs and dampers. 

The Italian carmaker will also open 100 dealerships across India in 2015, further showcasing its commitment to the Indian market. The company has also invested heavily in improving its customer service experience, claiming to have “learned from our experiences in the past”.