Fiat Tipo

From WOI Encyclopedia Italia

Fiat Tipo
Fiat Tipo
Manufacturer:Fiat
Production:1988-1995
Body Styles:FF compact 3 and 5-door hatchback
Predecessors:Fiat Ritmo
Successors:Fiat Bravo/Brava
Competitors:Ford Escort
Volkswagen Golf
Yugo Florida
Fiat Tipo

The Fiat Tipo was a compact automobile produced by the Italian manufacturer Fiat between 1988 and 1995.

Initially available only as a front-wheel drive five-door hatchback, it was an important step forward for Fiat: the Tipo's predecessor, the Fiat Ritmo/Strada, had given Fiat a reputation for making flimsy, unreliable and rust-prone cars and it was vital that the Tipo re-establish Fiat as a quality manufacturer. The car was made entirely out of galvanized body panels to avoid rust, and was built on a completely new chassis that won praise for its ride and handling. The Tipo won the European Car of the Year award on its launch in 1988.

Power came from 1.1, 1.4, 1.6, 1.8 and 2.0 petrol engines as well as a 1.7 diesel, 1.9 diesel and 1.9 turbo-diesel. The base engine, which was widely regarded as underpowered for the car, was never sold in the United Kingdom or numerous other export markets.

Minor revisions to the Tipo range in 1993 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 a driver's airbag and antilock brakes were added to the range.

The Tipo finally ceased production at the end of 1995 to be replaced by the three-door Fiat Bravo and five-door Fiat Brava.

Derivatives

The Tipo chassis spawned three more cars. The first of these was the Fiat Tempra sedan and station wagon in 1990. The Alfa Romeo 155 sedan and Fiat Coupé were introduced in in 1993. The Tempra outlived the Tipo by a year before being replaced by the Fiat Marea, the 155 was eventually replaced by the Alfa Romeo 156 in 1997 while the Fiat Coupé ceased production in 2000 (and has yet to be replaced).

1992 Fiat Tipo 1.6 IE
Enlarge
1992 Fiat Tipo 1.6 IE



<- Older Models Fiat car timeline, European market, 1980s-present -
Type 1980s 1990s 2000s
0123456789 0123456789 0123456789
City car 126 Cinquecento Seicento 500
Panda Nuova Panda
Supermini 127 Uno Punto I Punto II Grande Punto
Small family car Ritmo Tipo Bravo / Brava Stilo Nuova Bravo
Regata Tempra Marea Linea
Large family car Argenta Croma I Croma II
Coupé X1/9 Coupé
Roadster Barchetta Barchetta
Panel van Fiorino I Fiorino II Doblò
Mini SUV Sedici
Mini MPV Idea
Compact MPV Multipla
Large MPV Ulysse I Ulysse II


Fiat S.P.A.
Current models Albea | Barchetta | Croma | Doblò | Ducato | Fiorino | Grande Punto | Idea | Marea | Multipla | Nuova 500 | Nuova Panda | Palio/Palio Weekend | Punto | Scudo | Sedici | Seicento | Siena | Strada | Stilo | Ulysse
Historic models 1 | 1T | 3.5 CV | 4 HP | 8V | 10 HP | 12 HP | 124 | 125 | 126 | 127 | 128 | 130 | 131 | 132/Argenta | 133 | 147/Spazio | 2B | 24 HP | 242 | 500 | 502 HP | 503 HP | 508 | 508C | 509 | 510S | 514 | 518 | 519 | 520 | 524 | 574 Corsa | 60 HP | 600 | 750 | 850 | 1100 | 1200 | 1400 | 1300/1500 | 1800/2100/2300 | 2800 | Albea | Balilla | Bianchina | Bravo/Brava | Campagnola | Cinquecento | Croma | Coupé | Dino | Duna/Prêmio | Elba | Mod 5 | Oggi | Panorama | Panda | Regata | Ritmo/Strada | Siena | Tempra | Tipo | Topolino | Turbina | Uno | X1/9 | Zero
Fiat Group brands Abarth | Alfa Romeo | Autobianchi | Ferrari | Fiat | Lancia | Innocenti | Maserati
Fiat Group Corporate Website | Fiat Auto Website