Cars - Fiat Coupé

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	Cars - Fiat Coupé

Introduction

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.

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.

Later Versions and Enhancements

1998 saw the release of the Limited Edition which featured upgraded brakes and a body kit. The latest model include a push-button start, a six-speed gearbox, a strut brace to reduce torque-steer 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 though the final amount was much higher, with numbers as high as 1200 touted by some.

In 1998 the 2.0 L, 5 cylinder 20V got a VIS (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, but without the unique identification tag.

In 2000, the year actual production stopped, 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'.

Future

Although prices on the used market are weak, the Coupé is widely tipped by the media and enthusiasts to be a future classic.

[ Visit the complete Wikipedia entry for Fiat Coupé ]

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