Body style: Convertible (spider/spyder, cabrio/cabriolet, drop/open/soft top)
Segment: Roadster & Convertible
Production years: 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003
After a long absence from the sports car market, Fiat unveiled their response to the Mazda MX-5 with the launch of the Fiat Barchetta.
Have you ever thought that one of the Italy’s symbols in the automotive industry was created by a Greek? Well, Andreas Zapatinas was the one to design the Barchetta.
The sporty vehicle was built on the Fiat Punto’s platform, however, the chassis was shortened, strengthened and revised to offer more performance.
Such as the Punto, the Barchetta featured a front-wheel-drive system, fact that may have upset some of the rear-wheel-driver lovers for a sports car.
The car’s body parts were assembled by Maggiora. When Maggiora went out of business in 2002, Fiat ceased production and managed to relocate after 1 year.
The Barchetta had a zippy engine, 1,8-liter powerplant that developed 130 hp and had a top speed of around 200 kph.
Even though Fiat had never produced right-hand drive models, the Barchetta was loved in England and Japan.
The small Barcheta (which, by the way, translates into “Little Boat”) could sprint to 100 kph in 8.9 seconds.
The sports car had a great handling and a very precise steering with its short, stout body that was close to the ground, as well as the wheels positioned at the extreme corners of the chassis.
ENGINE SPECS - 1.8 16V 5MT (130 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | L4 |
Displacement: | 1747 cm3 |
Power: | 96 KW @ 6300 RPM 130 HP @ 6300 RPM 129 BHP @ 6300 RPM |
Torque: | 121 lb-ft @ 4300 RPM 164 Nm @ 4300 RPM |
Fuel System: | Multipoint Injection |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 124.3 mph (200 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 8.9 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | Front Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 5-speed manual |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Ventilated Discs |
Rear: | Discs |
TIRES SPECS | |
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Tire Size: | 195/55VR15 |
DIMENSIONS | |
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Length: | 154.3 in (3919 mm) |
Width: | 64.6 in (1641 mm) |
Height: | 49.6 in (1260 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 55.5/55.5 in (1,410/1,410 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 89.8 in (2281 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 5.1 in (130 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 5.8 cuFT (164 L) |
Aerodynamics (Cd): | 0.32 |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 2336.9 lbs (1060 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 2777.8 lbs (1260 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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City: | 19.9 mpg US (11.8 L/100Km) |
Highway: | 35.6 mpg US (6.6 L/100Km) |
Combined: | 27.7 mpg US (8.5 L/100Km) |
CO2 Emissions: | 201 g/km |