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Fiat Coupé

The Fiat Coupé: designed by Chris Bangle built by Pininfarina

Vehicle Overview

The Fiat Coupé made a splash in the automotive world in 1992 when spy shots of the sleek new model emerged during testing. Fiat had decided to develop a fresh coupé model, leveraging the older Strada platform, at a time when Pininfarina‘s factory was left idle following the cancellation of the Cadillac Allante project around 1990. The design competition for the Fiat Coupé saw Fiat’s in-house Centro Stile team, led by Chris Bangle, unexpectedly triumph over Pininfarina’s proposal. However, Pininfarina was retained to design the interior, giving the Fiat Coupé a distinctive blend of bold exterior styling and refined interior elegance. Interestingly, Pininfarina’s rejected exterior design did not go to waste; it was later adopted by Peugeot for the 406 Coupé, introduced in 1996. The Fiat Coupé, meanwhile, made its debut as a standout model based on the Fiat Group’s versatile Tipo 2 platform, known as the VSS project. This platform also underpinned several successful models, including the Fiat Tipo and Bravo, Alfa Romeo GTV and 155, and the Lancia Delta second series. The Fiat Coupé’s chassis was engineered to handle high-performance engines under development at the time, with an emphasis on torsional rigidity. However, the suspension setup borrowed components from its platform siblings rather than being uniquely tailored for the coupé. The front suspension featured a McPherson strut system, while the rear employed longitudinal arms mounted on an auxiliary frame with separate springs and shock absorbers. The rear anti-roll bar also acted as a toe-in controller. While functional, this setup was less effective during cornering, as it did not adequately recover the camber angle, impacting grip during hard driving. The Coupé was powered exclusively by petrol engines, ranging from a 1.8-liter to a 2.0-liter, including turbocharged options for added performance. All engines were transversely mounted, with front-wheel drive and an initial offering of a 5-speed gearbox, later upgraded to a 6-speed for certain models. This drivetrain configuration provided a spirited driving experience, making the Fiat Coupé a popular choice among enthusiasts. Assembly of the Fiat Coupé took place at Pininfarina’s facilities, showcasing the brand’s expertise in combining Italian craftsmanship with automotive precision. The result was a vehicle that not only performed well but also turned heads with its bold, futuristic design. The Fiat Coupé remains a testament to Italian automotive design and engineering. Its daring styling by Chris Bangle, paired with Pininfarina’s interior craftsmanship and robust performance capabilities, made it an enduring icon of the 1990s. For those seeking a distinctive, stylish coupé with a legacy of innovation, the Fiat Coupé stands out as a classic representation of Fiat’s commitment to design and driving excitement.

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Technical Specifications

  • Body
  • Year
    1994
  • Make
    Fiat
  • Model
    Coupé
  • Coachbuilder
    Pininfarina
  • Length (mm)
    4250
  • Width (mm)
    1768
  • Height (mm)
    1340
  • Units built
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  • Engine Type
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  • Designer
    Chris Bangle
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  • DESIGNER
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