Fiat Coupé
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| Fiat Coupé | |
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| Manufacturer: | Fiat |
| Production: | 1994-2000 |
| Body Styles: | FF compact coupé |
| Predecessors: | None |
| Successors: | None |
| Competitors: | Honda Prelude |
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The Fiat Coupé (officially titled the Coupé Fiat) was a coupé automobile produced by the Italian manufacturer Fiat between 1994 and 2000.
It is most remembered for its distinctive angular design, with unique scalloped side panels. The body was designed by American Chris Bangle using the Fiat Tipo floorpan as a base, 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.
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 Championships 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 L, 5 cylinder 20V (147 bhp), and a 5 cylinder 2.0 L 20V turbo (220 bhp). With a 0 - 60 mph time of just over 6 seconds, the 2.0 20V turbo was the fastest European front wheel drive car at the time.
The turbocharged 20 valve versions were equipped with a very efficient Viscodrive limited-slip differential to counter the understeer and torque steer that plagues most turbocharged FWD cars. Additionally, the coupe featured independent suspension all round: At the front McPherson 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.
1998 saw the release of the Limited Edition which featured red brake calipers, 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.
In 1998 the 2.0 L, 5 cylinder 20V got a (Variable Inlet System) which brought the power to 154 bhp. The 2.0 L 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 L 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 and wheels for the 2.0 L 20V model, 'Plus' edition wheels on turbo models and Recaro manufactured seats on the 'Plus'. When production finally stopped in September 2000, a total number of 72,762 units had been produced.
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 a new electronic control unit bringing power up from the standard 220bhp & 228lbs/ft to circa 250bhp & 250lbs/ft. Both the 16vt and 20vt have been heavily modified over the last few years with a number of Coupés increasing specific output from 300-600bhp. This is still channeled 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.
Although prices on the used market are weak, the Coupé is widely tipped by the media and enthusiasts to be a future classic.
External links
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