Fiat’s all-new four-door replacement for the ancient Linea has been spotted this week testing on the outskirts of Turin.
Spotted on the facelifted Fiat 500 launch the heavily disguised Aegea pulled up behind the small Italian supermini mistaking the occupants for Fiat employees. While the driver texted away, motoring.com.au got a rare glimpse of the new small sedan up close before the driver realised his mistake.
Designed in Italy, the Aegea is a natural rival, in Europe, for the Skoda Rapid and will be sold in 40 countries in Europe, Middle East and Africa.
Already revealed at an event in May, the new sedan measures in at 4500mm long, 1780mm wide and 1480mm high, and rides on a 2640mm wheelbase and is said to be all-new, rather than a spin-off of the current Punto.
The Aegea will also be available as a five-door hatchback and also a wagon later on.
Spacious inside, it was just possible to spot (but not get a pic) of the new 5.0-inch UConnect infotainment in situ, before the driver made his escape.
Fiat says it will be powered by two diesels and two petrols with power ranging between 71kw to 90kW but the Italian car-maker hasn’t revealed which, but as the engineer drove quickly away it sounded like the Aegea was powered by the tiny, twin-cylinder 0.9-litre turbo petrol that’s also found in the 500.
On sale next year the Aegea will be made in Turkey and hasn’t yet been confirmed for right-hand drive, but Fiat Chrysler Australia has already admitted it is “very interested" in the prospect of a small sedan for the local line-up.
"The UK market is still under evaluation which means it's a little too soon to say," said FCA Australia spokesman, Andrew Chesterman.
"It's not immediately clear whether the Aegea will be made for our market, but obviously if it does become available in right-hand drive it is something we'd be very interested in”, said Chesterman back in May.
Photos by Simon Rockman