AUTONEWS

Fiat Coupe – “little Ferrari”

Today, when the number 500 is synonymous with Fiat models, we have somewhat forgotten that there was a time when Fiat made more exciting cars than small city “buzzers” and various crossovers. With all due respect to the successful 500 model, it’s still hard not to regret the former sports models of the Turin factory, which captivated both in terms of appearance and other features. One of them is the Coupe model, which was produced between 1993 and 2000 in the facilities of the design house Pininfarina.

Fiat made the Coupe on the mechanical platform of the then-current Tipo hatchback model, and the body design was the work of the famous Chris Bengle, who at that time worked for Centro Stile Fiat. The interior was created by Pininfarina designers, but it still remained in the shadow of the great exterior of this model. Chris Bengl gave the Coupe model a relatively futuristic design, but kept some details typical of Italian sports cars. The fact that fans once gave him the nickname “little Ferrari” speaks volumes about his extremely striking appearance. This was also contributed by the low silhouette, which, together with the striking front and rear light groups, really reminded us of cars from Maranello. Some of the owners went too far in this identification, so sometimes you could see examples with the Ferrari sign and “shields” on the sides.

It would, of course, be an exaggeration to say that the Fiat Coupe looked literally like a Ferrari, but it looked so exciting in its day (especially in red) that an “aftermarket” badge swap could fool a certain number of people. In any case, the Coupe remains to this day the last attractive sports model that Fiat made.

Along with the new engines, Fiat also made certain aesthetic changes – a modified radiator grille, steering wheel, central console, as well as leather-covered door panels. Since the Fiat Coupe is front-wheel drive, the turbocharged versions are equipped with a Viscodrive limited-slip differential.

After its premiere at the Bologna Motor Show in December 1993, the Fiat Coupe was available with a four-cylinder 2.0 16V engine, in turbo (190 hp) and naturally aspirated (139 hp) versions. Both engines have twin camshafts and are inherited from the legendary Lancia Delta Integrale model, the most successful rally car of all time. In 1996, the 1.8-liter 16V engine was introduced, along with the two-liter five-cylinder, 20-valve unit (147 hp) and its Turbo version with 220 hp that powered the most powerful Fiat Coupe 2.0 20v Turbo. 

In 1998, a special Limited edition version was launched, which was recognizable by details such as wheels, fuel cap, housings of the rear light groups and mirrors in titanium gray. Mechanically, there were several changes compared to the standard 20V Turbo model, and the Limited edition also received a six-speed manual transmission. Initially, Fiat planned to produce only 300 copies of the Limited edition version, but the final figure was much higher – about 1400 copies. In the same year, the 2.0 20v version received a variable intake system, which increased power to 154 hp. Also, Fiat included in the offer the most prestigious Turbo Plus version, which was equipped with practically identical options as limited edition.

At the beginning of 2000, Fiat launched another special version with a 1.8 liter engine. It was the final version that featured different leather seats, a white speedometer with yellow arrows, specific 16-inch BBS wheels and a new honeycomb grille.

The most powerful Coupe, the 2.0 20V Turbo version accelerates to 100 km/h in 6.5 seconds (6.3 seconds in the Turbo Plus version), and the maximum speed is 240 or 250 km/h with the later six-speed gearbox. Production of the Fiat Coupe ended in December 2000, unfortunately with no plans for the direct successor that sports car fans had rightly expected.

Author: Miloš Vasin