- Fiat Barchetta
Infobox Automobile
name=Fiat Barchetta
manufacturer=Fiat
production=1995–2002
2004–2005
class=Roadster
wheelbase = Auto mm|2443Cite web|url=http://www.carfolio.com/specifications/models/car/?car=41800|title=1995 Fiat Barchetta|accessdate=2007-10-28|work=carfolio.com]
length = Auto mm|3916
width = Auto mm|1640
height = Auto mm|1265
weight = Auto kg|1056
aka =
fuel_economy =
fuel_capacity=
body_style=cabriolet
layout = FF
designer=Andreas Zapatinas The Fiat Barchetta (pronounced "bar-KET-ta") is a
roadster produced by the Italian manufacturerFiat from 1995 to 2005 (though production was paused between May 2002 and 2004). "Barchetta" in Italian means 'little boat'.History
The Barchetta was developed between 1990 and 1994 under the project name "Tipo B Spider 176". It was designed by
Andreas Zapatinas , Peter Barrett Davis and other car designers at theFiat Centro Stile , and prototyping was carried out by Stola.Production began in February 1995. The Barchetta was based on the chassis of the Mark 1
Fiat Punto . Its 131 PS / 96 kW engine is the 1.8 L petrol engine, withtwin-cam andvariable camshaft timing , which is notorious for its diesel-like clattering noise when failing. The Barchetta weighs 1056 kg (2328 lb) withoutair conditioning and can accelerate to 100 km/h in 8.9 seconds.The Barchetta was revised in 2003 for its relaunch the following year, with a myriad of small alterations inside and out. One of the most notable changes was the addition of a third brake light. Production of the car finally stopped in June 2005.
Production
Car bodies were welded at ILCAS in
Sparone Canavese , and final assembly was done inChivasso by the coachbuilderMaggiora . After Maggiora's bankruptcy in 2002, Fiat relocated production of the Barchetta to itsMirafiori plant and resumed production two years later. Production of the Barchetta was limited toleft hand drive cars only, even though the car was marketed and sold in tworight hand drive markets, theUnited Kingdom andJapan .Notes
External links
* [http://www.fiatforum.com/barchetta www.fiatforum.com/barchetta - International web based club with an active Barchetta owners area FORUM]
* [http://www.barchetta.fr www.barchetta.fr - unofficial French Fiat barchetta FORUM]
* [http://www.barchettamondo.co.uk www.barchettamondo.co.uk - unofficial UK Barchetta owners website]
* [http://www.fiatbarchetta.com www.fiatbarchetta.com - unofficial Fiat barchetta website]
* [http://www.fiatforum.com/barchetta www.fiatbarchetta.com/barchetta - unofficial International Fiat barchetta website]
* [http://www.fiatbarchetta.nl www.fiatbarchetta.nl - Dutch barchetta site]
* [http://www.barchetta.ws www.barchetta.ws - Iberian Club barchetta site]
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