The Fiat Coupé 20V Turbo wrapped dramatic Italian design around serious front-wheel-drive performance. It was fast enough to trouble prestige machinery, yet its cleverest details are not all found under the bonnet.
1. Chris Bangle designed the exterior
Before his controversial BMW years, American designer Chris Bangle shaped the Coupé at Fiat Centro Stile. The slash-cut wheelarches and exposed aluminium fuel filler were deliberate signatures.
2. Pininfarina designed the cabin
The exterior was Fiat’s work, while Pininfarina created the interior and built the car at its factory. The body-coloured strip running across the dashboard became one of the defining details.
3. It shared fundamentals with the Fiat Tipo
The Coupé used Fiat’s front-wheel-drive Tipo platform family. That pragmatic base helped keep the car affordable while leaving room for distinctive bodywork and strong engines.
4. The five-cylinder arrived after launch
Early cars used 2.0-litre 16-valve engines related to Lancia’s Lampredi family. In 1996 Fiat introduced the 1,998cc 20-valve five-cylinder in naturally aspirated and turbocharged forms.
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5. Its soundtrack was part of the appeal
An inline-five fires in a different rhythm from a four-cylinder engine. The 20V Turbo’s offbeat growl gave it character even before the turbo reached full boost.
6. It was genuinely quick for the price
With about 220 PS, the later Turbo could reach 62 mph in roughly 6.5 seconds and around 155 mph. Those figures made it one of the fastest front-wheel-drive cars of its era.
7. Viscodrive helped it put power down
Fiat used a viscous-coupling differential system to reduce wasteful wheelspin. It could not eliminate torque steer, but it made 220 PS through the front wheels far more manageable.
8. Later cars gained a six-speed gearbox
The 20V Turbo initially used five speeds before later versions gained a six-speed transmission. Condition and correct oil matter because drivetrain work can be expensive.
9. The Limited Edition was more than a badge
Numbered LE cars added items including red Brembo calipers, a push-button starter, a strut brace and distinctive trim. The later Turbo Plus offered much of the visual and chassis appeal without numbered plaques.
10. Maintenance access is notoriously tight
The five-cylinder fills the engine bay. Cambelt work has a fearsome reputation, and buyers should insist on evidence of specialist servicing rather than assume low mileage guarantees safety.
Keep exploring
Read the full Fiat Coupé 20V Turbo history and buying guide, browse the Rare and Forgotten Cars hub, or discover more in the 10 Things hub.
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Sources and further reading
- Fiat and Pininfarina period material
- Contemporary UK road-test specifications
- Unusual Cars UK Fiat Coupé guide