Fiat Coupé

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Fiat Coupé
Fiat Coupé
Manufacturer Fiat
Production 1993-2000
Assembly Turin, Italy (Pininfarina)[1]
Class Sports car
Body style(s) 2-door coupé
Layout FF layout
Transmission(s) 5 and 6-speed manual
Wheelbase 2540 mm (100 in.)
Length 4250 mm (167.3 in.)
Width 1768 mm (69.6 in.)
Height 1340 mm (52.7 in.)
Curb weight 1250-1320 kg (2755-2910 lb)
Designer Chris Bangle

The Fiat Coupé (type 175, officially titled the Coupé Fiat) was a coupé produced by the Italian manufacturer Fiat between 1993 and 2000. The car was introduced at Brussels Motor Show in 1993.[2]

It is most remembered for its distinctive, angular design, with unique scalloped side panels. The body was designed by Chris Bangle from "STILO FIAT Center", while the interior was designed by Pininfarina. The exterior design would foreshadow much of late 1990s and early 2000s car design, acting as a precedent to both Bangle's somewhat notorious work at BMW, as well as futuristic angular designs by other marques such as Ford and Renault.

Contents

[edit] History

On its launch in 1994, the Coupé was available with a four cylinder, 2.0 L 16V engine, in both turbo (195 bhp) and normally-aspirated (139 bhp) versions. Both engines later versions of Fiat's twin-cam design and inherited from the Lancia Delta Integrale, winner of the World Rally Championship a record six times. 1996 brought in a 1.8 L 16V engine (not available in the UK, 130 bhp), along with a 2.0-litre 5-cylinder 20V (147 bhp), and a 5-cylinder 2.0-litre 20V turbo (220 PS (217 hp/162 kW)). With a 0-60 mph time of just over 6.0 seconds (around 6.2 seconds as in 2000 6-speed models), the 2.0 turbo was the fastest European front-wheel drive car at the time. A top speed of over 155 mph (250 km/h) was also quoted.

Fiat Coupé 20v Turbo Model
Fiat Coupé 20v Turbo Model

The turbocharged 16 and 20 valve versions were equipped with a very efficient Viscodrive limited-slip differential to counter the understeer and torque steer that plagues most powerful front wheel drive cars. Additionally, the coupe featured independent suspension all round: At the front MacPherson struts and lower wishbones anchored to an auxiliary crossbeam, offset coil springs and anti-roll bar; At the rear, trailing arms mounted on an auxiliary subframe, coil springs and an anti-roll bar.

Production figures[1]
Year Units made
1993 119
1994 17,619
1995 13,732
1996 11,273
1997 12,288
1998 9,042
1999 6,332
2000 2,357
Total 72,762

1998 saw the release of the Limited Edition which featured red Brembo brake calipers at the front and standard red calipers at the back, a body kit, push-button start, six-speed gearbox, strut brace to make the chassis more rigid and Recaro seats which offered better support than the standard 20VT seats. Each Limited Edition ('LE') Coupé was manufactured with a badge located by the rear-view mirror which contained that car's unique number (it is rumored that Michael Schumacher was the original owner of LE No. 0001). Originally Fiat stated they were only to build approximately 300 Limited Editions. The final amount was much higher, with numbers as high as 1200 touted by some. This angered many of the owners of the original 300 cars and almost certainly impacted residual values.

Fiat Coupé Limited Edition
Fiat Coupé Limited Edition

In 1998 the 2.0-litre 5-cylinder 20V got a Variable Inlet System which brought the power to 154 bhp (115 kW). The 2.-litre 5-cylinder 20V Turbo received a 6-speed gearbox and a large, satin gloss push starter button. In addition, the sills of the Turbo version were colour matched with the body paintwork. Fiat also released the 2.0 L 5 cylinder Turbo 'Plus'. This model came with an option kit that made it virtually identical to the LE, except for minor interior design changes and without the unique identification badge of the LE

In 2000 Fiat released another special version of the Fiat Coupé. Featuring the 1.8-litre engine, it was only available throughout mainland Europe and marketed as an elegant and affordable edition. Fiat also made changes throughout the rest of the range; for example, new seats, side skirts and wheels for the 2.0-litre 20V model, 'Plus' edition wheels on turbo models and Recaro manufactured seats on the 'Plus'. The 2.0-litre 20V Turbo model is capable of accelerating from 0 to 60 mph (0-97 km/h) in just 6.0 seconds with the top speed of 156 mph (250 km/h). When production finally stopped in September 2000, a total number of 72,762 units had been produced.

Fiat Coupé 20v Turbo 2000 Model (with factory fitted Body Kit)
Fiat Coupé 20v Turbo 2000 Model (with factory fitted Body Kit)

[edit] Engines[3][4]

Model Engine Displacement Power Torque 0–100 km/h,s Top speed
1.8 16V I4 1747 cc 130 PS (128 hp/96 kW) @6300 rpm 164 N·m (121 ft·lbf) @4300 rpm 9.2 205 km/h (127 mph)
2.0 16V I4 1995 cc 139 PS (137 hp/102 kW) @6000 rpm 180 N·m (133 ft·lbf) @4500 rpm 9.2 208 km/h (129 mph)
2.0 20V I5 1998 cc 147 PS (145 hp/108 kW) @6100 rpm 186 N·m (137 ft·lbf) @4500 rpm 8.9 212 km/h (132 mph)
2.0 20V I5 1998 cc 154 PS (152 hp/113 kW) @6700 rpm 186 N·m (137 ft·lbf) @3750 rpm 8.4 215 km/h (134 mph)
2.0 16V Turbo I4 1995 cc 190 PS (187 hp/140 kW) @5500 rpm 290 N·m (214 ft·lbf) @3400 rpm 7,5 225 km/h (140 mph)
2.0 20V Turbo I5 1998 cc 220 PS (217 hp/162 kW) @5750 rpm 310 N·m (229 ft·lbf) @2500 rpm 6.3 250 km/h (155 mph)

[edit] Tuning

Despite production ending in 2000, the Fiat Coupé has continued to draw a dedicated following of enthusiasts across the globe. In particular, pursuit of greater performance beyond the factory restraints has been developed considerably over the last few years.

With the benefit of forced induction releasing "hidden" extra power is relatively easy via a simple increase in boost pressure. In terms of the 20vt model, this can be achieved via adding a replacement chip in the ECU, which alters boost, fuelling and ignition advance bringing power up from the standard 220 bhp (164 kW) & 228 lb·ft (309 N·m) to circa 250 bhp (186 kW) & 250 lb·ft (339 N·m). Both the 16VT and 20VT have been heavily modified over the last few years with a number of Coupés increasing specific output from 300-600 bhp. This is still channelled all through the front wheels.

The benefits of tuning has allowed the Fiat Coupé to compete in a number of professional motorsport events, most notably rallying, but also within the amateur motorsport scene including sprints, 1/4 mile drag racing and specific events such as the annual Ten Of The Best tournament.

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ a b PRODUZIONE COMPLESSIVA. pininfarina.it. Retrieved on 2007-08-03.
  2. ^ THE RANGE. fiatcoupe.net. Retrieved on 2007-08-06.
  3. ^ Coupé Fiat Technical Specifications. fiatcoupehistory.com. Retrieved on 2007-08-06.
  4. ^ The Fiat Coupe. fiatcoupe.cqnet.com.au. Retrieved on 2007-08-06.

[edit] External links

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Type 1980s 1990s 2000s
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
City car 126 Cinquecento Seicento
500
Panda I Panda II
Supermini 127 Uno Punto I Punto II
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family car		 Ritmo Tipo Bravo / Brava Stilo Bravo II
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Albea
Large family car 132 Argenta Croma I Croma II
Coupé Coupé
Roadster 124 Spider Barchetta Barchetta
Sports car X1/9
Panel van/Leisure activity vehicle Fiorino I Fiorino II Fiorino III
Doblò
Mini SUV Sedici
Mini MPV Idea
Compact MPV Multipla
Large MPV Ulysse I Ulysse II
Van Daily Scudo I Scudo II
Ducato I Ducato II Ducato III
Off-road Campagnola (1107)