THE KNOWLEDGE

TIMELINE

1993 Launch at Bologna show: 2.0 16v 142bhp ‘four’, 124mph, 9.5 secs 0-60mph; Turbo 195bhp, 140mph, 6.8 secs 0-60mph

1995 RHD production starts

1996 Facelift, new engines: 1.8 16v (not in the UK); 2.0 20v 145bhp ‘five’, 132mph, 8.9 secs; 220bhp Turbo 149mph, 6 secs. New grille, steering wheel, centre console

1998 2.0 gets variable inlet, 154bhp, 135mph, 8.4 secs; Turbo sills colour-coded; LE six-speed ’box, strut-brace, bodykit, red front calipers, pushbutton start, Recaros; Turbo Plus similar but not numbered

2000 New seats, side skirts, wheels, sixspeed on Turbos; Euro run-out edition 1.8. Production ends in December

Sold/number built 1993-2001/72,762

Construction steel monocoque

Engine iron-block, alloy-head, dohc 16v 1747/1995cc ‘four’ or 1998cc 20v ‘five’, fuel injection and optional turbo on 2.0s

Max power 129bhp @ 6300rpm to 220bhp @ 5750rpm

Max torque 121lb ft @ 4300rpm to 228lb ft @ 2500rpm

Transmission five/six-speed manual, FWD (via limited-slip differential on Turbo) Suspension independent, at front by Macpherson struts rear torsion beam, trailing arms, coil springs, telescopic dampers; anti-roll bar f/r

Steering power-assisted rack and pinion

Brakes vented front, solid rear discs, with servo and ABS Length 13ft 11⅜in (4250mm) Width 5ft 9⅝in (1768mm) Height 4ft 4¾in (1340mm) Wheelbase 8ft 4in (2540mm) Weight 2747-2965lb (1244-1345kg) 0-60mph 9.2-6 secs

Top speed 127-155mph Mpg 15-35

Price new £19,874-22,374 (1998)

CLUBS

Fiat Coupé Club UK fiatcoupeclub.org Fiat Motor Club (GB) fiatmotorclubgb.co.uk

SPECIALISTS

FCSS fiatcoupespecialist.co.uk

FC Performance fcperformance.co.uk

Alfashop alfashop.co.uk

All Italia italia.org.uk

Motormech motor-mech.co.uk

Fast Autocare fiatalfaspecialist.co.uk

Auto Integrale beenhammotcentre.co.uk

Perfect Service perfect-service.co.uk

L&M 01494 538899

Cloverleaf Car Services cloverleafcarservices.co.uk

WHAT TO PAY

Poor/average/show 16v £500/2500/7500

20v £550/2750/8000

16v Turbo £650/5000/12,500

20v Turbo £750/6000/14,000

20v Turbo Le/plus £2000/7500/16,000