Fiat Tipo is a compact car that was produced between 1988 and 1995. This car was produced to compete with the Volkswagen Gol, which is one of the finest cars of its time. But what are some of the most surprising facts about the Fiat Tipo?
Some of the main surprising facts about the Fiat Tipo are that the Fiat Tipo was manufactured entirely out of galvanized body panels. Furthermore, Fiat Tipo 2.0 i.e. 16V Sedicivalvole engine performed better than the Volkswagen Golf GTI of that Era. What’s more, the Fiat Tipo was manufactured entirely out of galvanized body panels for durability and to avoid rust.
Do you know about the errors, issues and problems the Fiat Tipo has?
What are the surprising facts about the Fiat Tipo?
Fiat Tipo was manufactured entirely out of galvanized body panels
The Fiat Tipo is among a few Fiat models that were made entirely out of galvanized body panels. Fiat did this to ensure that this car was durable and to resist rust. Aside from being made out of galvanized body panels, this car was also based on a new Fiat platform. This platform was later used on the Lancia and Alfa Romeo models.
Fiat Tipo was named the European Car of the Year in 1989
Despite its compact design, the Fiat Tipo outshined many rivals to emerge as the European Car of the Year in 1989. Aside from receiving this award, Fiat Tipo was also named the 1989 Semperit Irish Car of the Year in Ireland. This shows that the Fiat Tipo was one of the finest cars of its generation.
Fiat Tipo was the bestselling car in Brazil in 1989
In 1989, Fiat Tipo competed against some of the most coveted cars in the world, including the Volkswagen Gol. Surprisingly, Fiat outsold this car, joining the likes of Fiat Uno Mille and Fiat Palio. This bewildered everyone as the Volkswagen Gol has been the bestselling car in Brazil for more than 20 years.
Fiat Tipo replaced the Fiat Ritmo and was succeeded by Fiat Bravo or Brava
Fiat discontinued the Fiat Ritmo in 1982. The aim of discontinuing this car was to manufacture more upmarket models and shift its reliance on the lower-end market. Nonetheless, Fiat Ritmo was also discontinued in 1995 and was replaced by Fiat Bravo.
Note that the difference between the Fiat Bravo and Fiat Brava was the number of doors. The Fiat Bravo had three doors, while the Fiat Brava had five doors.
As is with many Fiat models, the Fiat Tipo shared its platform with nine other cars. It featured a Type Two (Tipo Due) platform. Some of these cars include the 1988 Yugo Sana/Zastava Florida, the 1989 Lancia Dedra Sedan, and the 1990 Fiat Tempra. In addition, it also shares its platform with the Alfa Romeo 155, Lancia Delta, Coupe Fiat Coupe, Alfa Romeo 145, Alfa Romeo Spider, Lancia Delta, Alfa Romeo 146, and Alfa Romeo GTV.
Fiat Tipo has been produced both in Brazil and Turkey
After being discontinued in Italy in 1995, that wasn’t the end for the Fiat Tipo. This car was later produced in Brazil from 1995 to 1997. Furthermore, it was also produced in Turkey from 1995 to 2000. However, it is after 2000 that it was discontinued for good.
Fiat Tipo 2.0 i.e. 16V Sedicivalvole engine performed better than the Volkswagen Golf GTI of that Era
The Volkswagen Golf GTI of the late 80s and early 90s was one of the best-performing small cars of that time. Many people were surprised that the Fiat Tipo’s 2.0 i.e. 16V Sedicivalvole petrol engine performed better. Moreover, it has better handling and performed way better than most of its rivals.
The 2.0 i.e. 16V Sedicivalvole 1,995 cc petrol engine delivered up to 146 hp @6,250 rpm and 128 lb-ft of torque @5,000 rpm. It also had a top speed of up to 130 mph and it could accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in just 9.80 seconds.
FAQ
Is Fiat Tipo a good car?
It depends on your needs and preference. This is a good car if you are looking for excellent handling, performance, efficiency, and reliability. On the other hand, it is not a good car if you want comfort, luxury, and spaciousness.
How fast is the Fiat Tipo?
The Fit Tipo was among the fastest cars of its generation. It was even faster than the Volkswagen Golf GTI. The fastest Fiat Tipo model was fitted with the 2.0 i.e. 16V Sedicivalvole petrol engine. This engine delivered a top speed of 130 mph and it could accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in 9.8 seconds.
What are the common problems with the Fiat Tipo?
Fiat Tipo may be one of the best small cars ever produced by Fiat, but it also comes with multiple problems that users need to know about. Some of the problems that this car faces include braking issues, door lock failure, suspension failure, poor digital dashboard display, electrical issues, and electric window issues.
Is Fiat Tipo a good daily driver?
Yes, Fiat Tipo is a good daily driver. This is because this car is compact. As a result, driving it in the city is less cumbersome and fun. What’s more, it is very economical, meaning that users won’t have to spend a lot of money on fuel. Another thing is that this car is easy to handle, meaning that the driver won’t have trouble driving around the city or in traffic jam.
Which cars are similar to Fiat Tipo?
Fiat Tipo is popular for its boxy design, excellent handling, and top-notch performance. However, this car also faced stiff competition from its rivals, including Alfa Romeo Spider, Lancia Delta, Yugo Sana, Alfa Romeo 145, Fiat Tempra, Volkswagen Golf, and Volkswagen Golf GTI.
Note that most of the above cars shared a platform with the Fiat Tipo. Therefore, they comprised several similar features.
Summary
Fiat Tipo may be a small nice car, but knowing a few facts about this Italian car helps to boost the confidence of the owners or those interested in it. Nonetheless, Fiat Tipo is still one of the best small cars ever produced by Fiat. It is reliable, practical, and uniquely designed with its box design. It is also one of the best-performing Fiat small cars ever made.