An all new body was designed in-house by
Fiat, although production of the car was given to Pininfarina due to the
low volumes. The two door coupé body still allows normal useage of the rear
seats and contains many interesting styling touches such as the door handles
high in the b-pillar to keep the doors clean, the faired headlights, motorcycle
style filling cap, strip of body coloured metal across the dashboard, etc...
Maintaining this theme, Fiat introduced a push button starter switch on
some later models.
To cope with the performance of the five cylinder turbo engine (220bhp and
310Nm) that variant also comes fitted as standard with a limited slip differential
(called Viscodrive) and four pot Brembo brake callipers. In 1998 a
20v turbo Limited Edition
saw the introduction of a six
speed gearbox (which also became optional on other turbo cars) as well as a bodykit and various details. In 1999 the six speed box became standard on the
turbocharged model.
Production ceased in 2000.
The
Fiat Coupé, based on the Tipo platform, entered
production in 1993. Power came from either an 1995cc 16V (142bhp) or a
1995cc 16V turbo (195bhp) engine (both developed from engines taken from
the Lancia range, the latter from the Integrale). In 1996 the 1747cc 16V
(130bhp) engine from the Barchetta was transplanted into the Coupé, and
then in 1997 both 2 litre units were replaced by the new 5 cylinder 1998cc
engines, both with (220bhp) and without (147bhp) a turbo.
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Technical Details
| Driveline | transverse engine at front with front wheel drive |
| Engines | 1995cc (84x90mm) 4 cylinder in-line dohc 16V turbo with 195bhp @ 5,500rpm
1747cc (82x82.7mm) 4 cylinder in-line dohc 16V with 130bhp @ 6,300rpm (picture) 1995cc (84x90mm) 4 cylinder in-line dohc 16V with 142bhp @ 6,000rpm 1998cc (82x75.65mm) 5 cylinder in-line dohc 20V with 147bhp 1998cc (82x75.65mm) 5 cylinder in-line dohc 20V turbo with 220bhp @ 5,750rpm |
| Suspension | front : MacPherson strut with telescopic dampers and coil springs plus anti-roll bar
rear : independent with telescopic dampers and coil springs plus anti-roll bar wheelbase : 2540mm track (front/rear) : 1483mm/1468mm (front : 1491mm on 20V turbo) |
| Brakes | front : discs, ventilated, diameter 284mm (305mm on 20V turbo)
rear : discs, diameter 240mm handbrake operating on the rear via a cable |
| Gearbox | 5 or 6 speed manual |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion with power assisstance |
| Kerb weight | original 1995cc 16V : 1250kg
1997 20V turbo : 1310kg ; distribution front/rear : 67.2%/32.8% 1997 1.8 16v : 1180kg |
| Dimensions | 20v turbo |
Performance
| model | max speed | 0-60mph | in gear acceleration |
| 2.0 16V | 124 mph | 9.5 sec | 50-70 (5th) : 11.9 sec |
| 2.0 16V turbo | 140 mph | 6.8 sec | 50-70 (5th) : 7.9 sec |
| 2.0 20V | 134 mph | 8.6 sec | |
| 2.0 20V turbo | 149 mph | 6.0 sec | 50-70 (6th) : 6.2 sec |
Tuning
The brakes can be improved by fitting drilled
and grooved discs, using a superior pad compound and fitting stainless
steel braided flexible hoses. Numerous aftermarket conversions are available to further improve the stopping power of the Coupé.
Dampers and springs are readily available
for the Coupé which will improve the handling, and a strut brace can be
fitted at the front to increase the stiffness of the bodyshell.
Due to the commonality of many of the parts there is a wealth of tuning information and knowledge around,
the four-pot 2-litre unit being the same at the integrale etc. This can be well used when preparing a Coupé.
Easily carried out modifications include installation of a free-flow air filter
(a cold air duct is also a worthy mod) and fitment of a less restrictive
exhaust system to improve the driveability, 'Chips' are also available
which (claim to) increase the power, driveability and torque all at the same time.
For books on Fiat see our Online Bookstore
There is also a list of all our picture galleries (including museums, motorshows and various events).
Wallpapers/Desktop Backgrounds of numerous Fiats, including the Coupé, also available to download.
Screensavers of the Fiat Coupé available to download (free).
Identification
The model code for the Coupé was 175. The engines started with the 16V 2.0-litre turbo which was also a type 175,
the 1.8-litre engine was 183 and the 16V 2.0-litre n/a engine was the type 836. The 5-cylinder 20V engines were all type 182 with various suffix.
Links
An Austrian Coupé website (in German).
The UKFiat Coupé Owners Club site.
Coupé comment form
Your Comments
I've just bought a 1995 16V
Coupe and haven't stopped laughing yet. It is so much fun to drive. It's
not a turbo (which keeps my insurance down a bit) but even so what a car!
It's got enough guts to make me smile and looks absolutely wonderful, a
definate head turner (it's brrrrrrooom yellow). Sticks to the road like
glue and goes well, go on have a laugh, buy one!! (Mike S, England)
Just bought a 20v Turbo 1998 (R) from a local garage in light
blue. It is the fastest car I have ever driven, it is a pleasure to own and
drive. Looks the part. Puts a smile on my face every time I drive it. You
must get one!!! (Paul, Wales)
Also just got me one, a Coupé 20V Turbo and it's the best compromise ever, small, looks good inside out, fuel consumption like a
Fiat Bravo 1.6 and power enought to make the driver constant happy and others complete mad. The only drawback is the insurance and some service stuff
(ex: you have to lift out the engine to change the cambelt !?) But hey, as Fiat said: Fiat Coupé, a Ferarri for the people ! (Mathias M, Sweden)
I´m a owner of a 20V Coupé. I´ts painted in rosso speed, which is definetely the best colour for that beauty! I enjoy the perfekt suspension,
but what a engine! I guess there´s nothing that sounds better, especially over 4500rpm! I´ts so much fun to to drive with this car!!! There can´t be any better!!!
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Copyright © 2000 to 2008 CarsfromItaly
I can honestly say I have never had a car with such "grin factor".
Forget your troubles, bury your right foot and hang on. I'm running a 20V
turbo with a straight through exhaust, and it is a real blast. I just wish
it was driven from the opposite end (rear wheels) that would make it a real
hoot around a track.
Buy one now. Where else can you get 0-60 in 6 secs and 155mph top speed for
10 grand? (Wish I'd not bought mine new!). Have fun. (Dave, UK)
