Fiat Tipo

Infobox Automobile


name = Fiat Tipo
aka =
manufacturer = Fiat
parent_company =
assembly = Cassino – Piedimonte S. Germano (Frosinone), ItalyCite web|url=http://www.carsfromitaly.net/fiat/index.html|title=Fiat/Models/Fiat Tipo|accessdate=2007-07-03|work=carsfromitaly.net]
Betim, Brazil
production = 1988-1995
predecessor = Fiat Ritmo
successor = Fiat Bravo/Brava
class = Small family car
layout = FF layout
platform =
body_style = 3-door hatchback
5-door hatchback
engine =
transmission = 5-speed manual
CVT (Selecta)
4-speed automaticCite web|url=http://www.carsfromitaly.net/fiat/index.html|title=Fiat/Models/Fiat Tipo|accessdate=2007-07-03|work=carsfromitaly.net]
wheelbase = 2540 mm (100 in.)
length = 3958 mm (155.8 in.)
width = 1700 mm (66.9 in.)
height = 1445 mm (56.9 in.)
weight = 1020-1230 kg (2248-2711 lb)
fuel_economy =
fuel_capacity =
related = Fiat Tempra
Fiat Coupé
Alfa Romeo 155
similar = Volkswagen Golf
Peugeot 309
Opel Kadett/Astra
Toyota Corolla
Mazda 323
Honda Civic
Hyundai Excel
Citroen ZX
Renault 19
designer = The Fiat Tipo is a small family car designed by the IDEA design house and produced by the Italian manufacturer Fiat between 1988 and 1995.

The Tipo was initially available only as a five-door hatchback. The car was made entirely out of galvanized body panels to avoid rust, and was built on a completely new Fiat platform. It also stood out, because of its boxy styling that gave it innovative levels of packaging - rear passenger room being greater than that in a Ford Sierra, but in a car that was of a similar size to the smaller Ford Escort. For 1989, the Tipo won the European Car of the Year award.

The car has been extremely popular in Brazil. It outsold the Volkswagen Gol, which had been the best-selling Brazilian car for over 20 years. Just the Tipo, the Fiat Mille and Fiat Palio have outsold the Gol.

Variants

Initially base (i.e.), DGT, S, SX and 16v trim levels were available. Power from 58 to convert|148|bhp|kW PS|0|abbr=on came from 1.1, 1.4, 1.6, 1.8, 1.8 16v, 2.0, 2.0 16v petrol engines as well as a 1.7 diesel, 1.9 diesel and 1.9 turbo-diesel. The base engines were widely regarded as underpowered for the car, which was roomy for five adults with above average quality. As top of the range was the 2.0 sedicivalvole (16v). The Tipo was facelifted in 1993 and saw the addition of a three-door version, minor exterior changes (the two evolutions of the car can be differentiated by their slightly different radiator grilles and headlamps) and improved specification; safety features like stiffer panel, driver's airbag were added to the range. This saw new S, SX and SLX trim levels, as well as a new 2.0 GT model.

The Tipo finally ceased production in the summer of 1995 and was replaced by the three-door Fiat Bravo and five-door Fiat Brava. The Tempra saloon and estate (Station Wagon) were replaced by the Marea. The Bravo and Brava were strong sellers throughout Europe, but the Marea was a disappointment on most markets.

In Brazil, it only started to be produced that year, in a single trim, with a 1.6 8V engine with multipoint fuel injection, which offered a convert|10|PS|kW|0|abbr=on increase compared to the old 1.6 ie, raising the power to convert|92|PS|kW|0|abbr=on. Previously, the Tipo was imported from Italy and was available with three different trims that were closely associated with its engines: the basic 1.6 ie, the luxurious 2.0 8V and the sporty 2.0 16V Sedicivalvole. The "Sedicivalvole" gained its engine from the Lancia Thema, and with a much smaller and lighter bodyshell to house it, this power unit brought superb performance and handling, and a top speed of around convert|130|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on which made it faster than the Volkswagen Golf GTI of that era.

It was a reasonably strong seller in the UK, initially winning plaudits for its innovative and practical design as well as its good handling. This was particularly positive news in the UK, where none of the "big three" carmakers (Ford, Vauxhall and Austin Rover) had launched a new car of this size since 1984. However, these three marques all had new Tipo-sized products within three years, and in later years the Tipo's popularity suffered.

Petrol

Diesel

Derivatives

The Tipo platform spawned five more cars. The first of these was the Lancia Dedra sedan in 1989, followed by the Fiat Tempra in 1990. The large family car Alfa Romeo 155, the coupé Fiat Coupé and the Lancia Delta Nuova were introduced in 1993.

Notes

External links

Fan Clubs, there are several user communities in various countries:
*Turkey - http://www.tempratipo.com/
*Turkıscher Republic-http://www.tempratipo.net.tc
*Czech republic and Slovak republic- http://www.fiattipo.net/
*Chile - http://www.clubfiattipo.com/ and http://www.clubfiat.cl
*Russia - http://www.tipofiat.msk.ru/
*Brazil - http://www.clubedotipo.com.br/
*Portugal - http://www.fiat-tipo-portugal.com/
*Germany - http://www.fiattipo.de/ and http://www.fiat-tipo.de/
*Hungary - http://www.tipo-tempra.hu/portal2/index.php
*Bulgaria - http://www.fiat-bg.org/
*Poland - http://www.tempra.org/