Description
LOW OWNER CAR CAM BELT DONE
The Fiat Coupe, based on the Tipo platform, entered production in 1993. Power came from either a 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 Coupe, and then in 1997 both 2 litre units were replaced by the new 5 cylinder 1998cc engines, both with (220bhp) and without (147bhp/ 154bhp) a turbo.
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 coupe body still allows normal usage 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/ Plus models saw the introduction of a six speed as well as a body kit and various details. In 1999 the six speed box became standard on the turbocharged model. From production all models had ABS (by Bosch) as standard.
In 2000 Fiat took the decision to cease production of the Fiat Coupe after almost 7 successful years. It was a shame that Fiat did not produce an ultimate edition for the final departure how ever what they did do that made good budget sense was to utilise many parts left over from the previous models.
Our LE car comes with a huge history file, a new MOT and recent service. In 2019 the cam belt was changed with the tensioners and water pump kit.
Limited Edition (LE) Coupe 20 valve Turbo
1998 – Fiat decided to offer slight improvements on pervious design, albeit cosmetic, this was primarily down to market research and feedback from current and past Fiat Coupe owners alike. As a result the Limited Edition (LE) was born in July 1998.
Fiat launched the LE with the view of a Limited collectors Edition encompassing the trait of Italian flair. Each one would feature a plaque with a number on. Some 200 cars got it to the British market at first, later stories about a 100 more got through, but no-one actually knows how many were made.
Car number one was rumoured to have been owned by Michael Schumacher for three months, how ever I have not been able to find any solid evidence.
The Limited Edition Coupe exterior was enhanced cosmetically by body coloured side skirts and front spoiler extensions. Internally saw various parts getting a titanium look - side mirrors, rear light armature, fuel filler cap, wheels and dashboard strip. Front grille and headlight mountings also get a titanium colour.
The brake calipers colour changed from silver to red and front brake discs were changed from solid disc to cross-drilled in the attempt to reduce heat buildup under heavy braking.
In an attempt to offer the exclusive super car feel Fiat added a red starter button.
The entire interior also received a make over with the addition of leather Recarro front seat with red insets, the doors, steering wheel, handbrake, gear lever and even the seat belts received a red colour coding in parts as did the 20V Turbo logo on the B-pillar..
The speedometer got updated with a reading up to 175MPH (280km/ h r) also the foot peddles got changed to Sparco provide better grip through rubber 'dots' and a larger surface.
Fiat even had a look under the bonnet and fitted a strut brace providing better turn-in and more tighter cornering characteristics. To finish the Italian ‘red’ flair – the rocker cover is power coated in red.
So the LE was released, as mentioned above the LE provided the
