What she looked like Fiat's European model range 30 years ago? Quite old-fashioned from today's perspective with vehicles like the first Panda, Five hundred, Sweaters, Jerseys and Cardigans in Type. There is also still a model available Quenching, the first generation model Croma but it is on its last legs. Fresh wind was needed. Fiat Coupe was introduced in 1994, Barchetta and a year later. We took a look at the pile on his milestone birthday. Fiat Coupe (type 175), also known as Coupé Fiat in Italy, made its debut at the motor show in Bologna December 1993 and was introduced in January 1994.
Two designs, two cars
An elegant sports car already in 1992 as a prototype made it to the covers of car magazines. That's when it is Fiat planned to build a new coupe after it Pininfarinine factory after project failure Cadillac Allante around 1990 it suddenly stopped. Two projects were submitted, with Fiat's in-house team Centro styles competed with Pininfarina. The management of Fiat unexpectedly accepted the concept, which is in the name of the association Centro styles introduced Chris bangle. That's right: the same Bangle that years later at BMW caused a design dispute. The design he presented earlier Pininfarina, he eventually accepted Peugeot , where she debuted in October 1996 as 406 Coupé. Among the characteristics of the Fiat stand out the high, rather naked rear part, the absence of visible door handles and the front part, which resembles sleeping headlights. Chrome outer fuel cap reminiscent of the fifties of the last century. Inside the cabin, the wide trim in the body color impresses.
The company's platform and powerful turbo
Technical basis is a so-called platform "Type 2", which is already used in the models Fiat Type in Quenching ter Launch Dedra in Alfa Romeo 155. The Fiat Coupé is long 4,25 meters, wide 1,77 meters and high 1,34 meters, and its center distance is 2,54 meters. Curb weight? 1.320 kilograms. When sales began in January 1994, the coupe was available with 2,0-liter four-cylinder engine 16V, both with a turbocharger (190 BAM) than with a turbocharged engine (139 BAM). Both engines were later versions of a Fiat design DOHC, which was taken from the model Lancia Delta Integrale, a successful rally car.
In 1996 were added to the offer 1,8 liter 16V engine (was not available in the UK, 131 hp), 2,0 liter five-cylinder engine 20V (147 HP) and, as a highlight, 2,0 liter turbo engine 20V (220 HP). Top model with turbo accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h 6.5 seconds and reaches maximum speed 240 km/h or 250 km/h with the later six-speed gearbox. In addition to the new engines, it is Fiat also introduced some smaller ones design changes, such as the radiator grille, the steering wheel, the leather-covered door upholstery, the center console in the interior and the replacement of the digital clock with an analog clock. Production of right-hand drive models for markets such as the UK begins in early 1995.
So turbo four-cylinder and five-cylinder models are equipped with a highly efficient limited slip differential Viscodrive, which prevents the understeer that plagues most high-performance front-wheel drive vehicles. The coupe also had independent suspension: front MacPherson's levers and lower crossmembers attached to the subframe, and at the back subframe-mounted trailing arms and coil springs.
Mark LE
In 1998 was presented limited edition (Limited Edition), marked by a body and detail kit v titanium gray color, such as the rims, fuel cap, taillights and mirror housings, while the brake calipers were Brembo front painted red. Each limited edition coupe (“LE“) has a z badge on the rearview mirror unique car number. Rumor has it he was Michael Schumacher the original owner of the model LE no. 0001, but when asked personally about it, he confirmed that he had one, albeit a red one, while the LE model was no. 0001 in color Chrono Grey. There were good ones made 1.400 copies of the LE model.
In 1998 he was 2,0 liter five-cylinder engine 20V equipped with the system variable suction, which increased the power to 154 BAM (113 kW). Besides, they were thresholdsand turbo versions color coordinated with body color. Fiat also presented 2,0 liter five-cylinder turbo engine "More". This model comes with an option package that makes it virtually identical to the LE model, with the exception of minor interior changes and no unique LE identification mark.
Cheaper than VW
And what did the journalists say? ADAC was tested in Germany special Fiat and was delighted with the brand's new coupe after 21 years. It's on the road 2.0 Turbo with 190 hp, "very hot iron” at top speed 225 km/h and acceleration 7,5 seconds. And that without turbo lag, unfortunately with clumsy gear lever. They praised good chassis and direct control, but they are spaciousness in the back and the trunk (295 liters) is modest due to its design.
The price of the model Turbo 2.0 then in Germany: 46.000 German marks, the price of the entry-level model with 139 hp started at 39.000 German marks. VW Corrado with 115 hp was more expensive. Base price in Italy? 37.700.000 lire. When the production of the model Fiat Coupe finished in December 2000, a total of 72.762 units.